Thélá:ylexw awtxw: Healing Together

When Women Gather, Healing Happens

The Self Care Self Love event, led by Thélá:ylexw awtxw and supported by the Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion Fund, created a space where women could show up as their full selves and be embraced for it.

Held annually, this gathering brings together First Nations women to share, release, and reconnect. For many, it was the first time in years they felt whole again, no longer carrying the weight alone. One participant shared, “It made me feel like I’m still a person.” Those words echoed the spirit of the day, restoring a sense of identity, value, and community through collective care.

A Vision Years in the Making

This event had been in the hearts and minds of Thélá:ylexw awtxw for a long time. With support from the fund, it became more than a dream. It became a day filled with laughter, emotion, and deep reflection. It was a day that said, you matter, your healing matters.

Women-Led Healing Across BC

Events like Self Care Self Love are needed in communities across BC First Nations. When women have the space and support to care for themselves and each other, the entire community is strengthened. This gathering was not just about healing, it was about creating a foundation for lasting wellness, led by the women who know what their communities need most.

The Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion Fund 

The Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion Fund was a one-time fund delivered by New Relationship Trust in partnership with the Vancouver Foundation. It supported First Nation communities and organizations in BC with initiatives that reduce poverty and strengthen social inclusion. While the fund is no longer available, its impact lives on through projects like this one, which prioritized culturally relevant, community-led wellness and healing.