tapahtêyimôkamik

tapahtêyimôkamik (formerly referred to as Strengthening Relations) is a research project at the University of Alberta led by Dr. Lana Whiskeyjack.  Our project aims to:

• co-create inclusive rites of passage for Indigenous 2SLGTBQIA+ youth and their kinship relations

• strengthen relationships between okimaw kihêw mêkwanak, community service providers, Indigenous 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, and youth kinship relations  

Our activities have included:

• nêhiyaw understanding of genders

• Medicine pouch sewing

• Beading

• Feast protocols

• Digital arts

• Gathering at https://kaniyasihkculturecamps.com/ 

• Eco-art and gender-inclusive living landscape artwork

• Sweat lodges

• Naming ceremony

• Exploring wisakacihowin (Trauma) and Indigenous Trauma Informed Practices training

• Walking in beauty 

• Moccasin teachings 

• Two-spirit humour and joy

• Mindful Land Acknowledgement workshop

• Tour of We Are the Medicine art exhibit

• MIndfulness, meditation, and breathing workshop

• Tobacco teachings

• Natural laws

• Cooking

• Self-defence

• nêhiyawêwin (Cree language) lessons

• Outdoor skills

• Dogsledding 

• Hand games

okimaw kihêw mêkwanak

okimaw kihêw mêkwanak (OKM) offers a supportive space for parents, family, and friends of 2SLGBTQ+ youth who want to practice our traditional kinship systems from nêhiyaw and Indigenous worldviews. OKM was co-founded in 2015 by Lana Whiskeyjack, James Knibb-Lamouche, and Roxanne Tootoosis with the guidance of Dr. James Makokis. OKM was formerly known as Indigenous PFLAG or Indigenous Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.

OKM is currently co-led by nêhiyaw and Métis parents Lana Whiskeyjack and James Knibb-Lamouche. Gatherings often include arts-based activities, meals, and Elder-led teachings. OKM's main activities at this time are focused on the tapahtêyimôkamik research project.

Edmonton Two-Spirit Society

OKM is a kinship organization to Edmonton-Two Spirit Society.  OKM's focus is on supporting the families and kinship relations of Indigenous 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.