SA国际影视传媒淚ndigenous belief is that the grandmother moon is a powerful healer,SA国际影视传媒� Ria Coleman said one night after she and a small group of Indigenous women and girls gathered under the Nov. 27 full moon.

SA国际影视传媒淲hen itSA国际影视传媒檚 a full moon, you can go out and pray to grandmother moon, and pray that the moon shines a light into the darkness, so whatever is lurking in the dark can be brought to the light.SA国际影视传媒�

Coleman, who is M茅tis, works as a healing and wellness program assistant with the Northwest Territory M茅tis Nation in Fort Smith. One of her current responsibilities is helping to organize monthly full moon ceremonies in Fort Smith and Hay River.

The ceremonies are open to women, girls and two-spirit people who identify as female.

The proceedings operate under a SA国际影视传媒渨hat happens or is said in the circle stays in the circleSA国际影视传媒� policy, according to Coleman, but participants can expect conversations about SA国际影视传媒渉ow to be kind to yourself and how to look after yourself,SA国际影视传媒� as well as drumming and singing. Participants are also encouraged to wear traditional ribbon skirts, ornately designed garments that symbolize strength among the women of many First Nations.

Usually, six to 10 people show up to each ceremony.

SA国际影视传媒淲e get women who have not had children, women who have had children. You get grandmothers bringing their granddaughters,SA国际影视传媒� Coleman said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a real mix.SA国际影视传媒�

While participants do not always know each other well initially, Coleman said they often build long-lasting connections quite quickly. Those connections create support systems that extend well beyond the full moon ceremonies themselves.

SA国际影视传媒淯sually theySA国际影视传媒檙e very glad to attend because itSA国际影视传媒檚 such an uplifting feeling of being alongside other women in community,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淵ou get to stand in your strength and power, and being together is so healing, not to mention the singing and drumming.

SA国际影视传媒淥nce you connect, your connections will be forever, because itSA国际影视传媒檚 an intimate circle.SA国际影视传媒�

The next full moon is Dec. 26. While the corresponding ceremony may be quite small due to holiday celebrations, Coleman plans to SA国际影视传媒渉old space for participants who may need to connect.SA国际影视传媒� She encourages women in both Fort Smith and Hay River to attend future ceremonies if they feel they need support.

SA国际影视传媒淚f youSA国际影视传媒檙e feeling alone, or just a little bit down, coming to the ceremony is so uplifting because you know youSA国际影视传媒檙e not alone,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淓ven though you may be struggling, you know that there are other strong women struggling right alongside you. It gives you a feeling of strength and comfort.SA国际影视传媒�