On March 5 Indigenous Services Canada Outreach Nurse, Cassandra Whalley, partnered with Candice Nelson of the Society for the Involvement of Good Neighbors (SIGN) Outreach Program to host 鈥淨ueen for the Day鈥�, an event at the OCC hall in celebration of International Women鈥檚 Day.
Held on March 5, the theme for the day was 鈥淏alance for Better,鈥� and while globally this is referring to gender equality, it was decided to focus on balancing the needs and wants of life to achieve holistic health, said a release from SIGN.
The first 100 women to arrive received a swag bag with homemade soap, bath soak, a bath bomb, and facial mask.
Women are often are responsible for many roles as daughter, mothers, friends, workers, or parents. Balance for Better is a reminder to prioritize one鈥檚 own well小蓝视频; balance is not an option, one cannot pour from an empty cup, it said.
Queen for the Day was an opportunity for the women of Kamsack and the tri-reserve area to take time for themselves, remembering the medicine wheel鈥檚 teaching of not just one鈥檚 physical well小蓝视频 but mental, emotional, and spiritual well小蓝视频 as well.
Over 100 women of all ages were in attendance for the day which began with an opening prayer from Elder Barbara Strongquill followed by a welcome from Candice Nelson, outreach social worker with the SIGN Outreach program.
The women in attendance then played bingo, had pictures taken in a photo booth with funny props and sampled different types of flavored 鈥渞oyal鈥� tea with pastries made by Rhoda Straightnose, the release said.
There was several traditional dances preformed by the Misko Pinehs Singers and Dancers including Tanisha Severight, Juanita Cote, Gabrielle Severight, Kendra Severight and Treaune Severight, followed by a round dance with all the women in attendance.
The event ended with a 鈥渄elicious鈥� turkey dinner prepared by Anita Tourangeau and her team.
鈥淲e wish to acknowledge the Yorkton Tribal Council Health and Social Development, Cote First Nation, and Keeseekoose health administration for their donations toward making the event a success,鈥� said Nelson.
Every March 8, Saskatchewan joins the world to mark International Women鈥檚 Day, said a release. This day was chosen by the United Nations to acknowledge the contributions women make every day around the world.
The theme for 2019 United Nations International Women鈥檚 Day is 鈥渢hink equal, build smart, innovate for change.鈥�
鈥淲omen in Saskatchewan are making remarkable progress in many diverse roles in our economy,鈥� the release said. 鈥淲omen and girls contribute to everything from medicine, to innovation and technology, and economic and entrepreneurial participation. Women in agriculture take on vital leadership roles in our rural communities that continue to shape important conversations.鈥�
鈥淚nternational Women鈥檚 Day is a way to recognize the achievements of Saskatchewan鈥檚 women and girls,鈥� said Tina Beaudry-Mellor, minister responsible for the Status of Women, in the release. 鈥淲omen around the province are disrupting many industries, boardrooms, and entrepreneurial ventures. The more opportunities that are opened up for women, the more our economy benefits.鈥�
鈥淚t is great to see that in 2018 Saskatchewan had the second highest employment rate for women in the country,鈥� said Jeremy Harrison, trade and export development minister. 鈥淲omen in Saskatchewan continue to play a significant role in our economy and we are proud of their accomplishments.鈥�
More women are also participating in elected office. The Status of Women office has announced funding for the Women in the Legislature program, in its eighth year of operation at the University of Saskatchewan. Women in the Legislature promotes the participation of women in politics and governance, and gives students the opportunity to see how women contribute in government institutions, the release concluded.
