Prepared by Lydia Hunter, for Walk As We... kind 2026:

Good day relatives,

My name is Lydia Hunter.I come here today in a good way, with gratitude and respect for the people, the land, and the ancestors who walked before us. In my community work, I facilitate the SoberCrew Woman’s Group, where I bring women together in circle to support one another in healing.The SoberCrew Woman’s Group is a safe and supportive healing circle where women can come together in community to grow, to heal, and to support one another.As the facilitator, my role is to create a space that is welcoming, respectful, and grounded in compassion, where women feel comfortable sharing their stories and being their authentic selves.Our gatherings focus on healing from life’s challenges such as grief, trauma, addiction, and personal struggles, while also encouraging women to build healthy habits, strengthen their sense of identity, and reconnect with their inner strength.We use a variety of approaches in our circles including sharing circles, guided discussions, cultural teachings, creative activities like beading or art, and moments of reflection that help women reconnect with themselves and with one another.

The purpose of the group is not only to support sobriety but also to nurture emotional, spiritual, and personal growth.We walk alongside each other in a spirit of honesty, accountability, and encouragement.Every woman who comes to the circle brings her own story, and together we create a community where healing, resilience, and hope can grow.At the heart of the SoberCrew Woman’s Group is the belief that when women come together in a safe space, speak their truth, and support one another, powerful healing can happen.Outside of circle.

I also do outreach work alongside Robbie Daniels, Clarissa Stevens, Cheyenne Hunter and many more.Together we collect clothing donations, prepare lunches, and go out into the community to support our relatives who are struggling on the streets due to homelessness and addiction.We meet our people where they are, with respect, compassion, and a reminder that they are not forgotten.All of this work is rooted in the spirit of unity. When we stand together as Indigenous people, supporting one another and walking the Red Road, we become stronger. Through that unity we have built a strong community within SoberCrew—one that believes in healing, accountability, culture, and lifting each other up.I am grateful to do this work, and I carry it with humility, knowing that every step we take toward healing helps strengthen our people and the generations to come.

In closing, My dream is to see every one of our people find their way back to the Red Road—back to culture, back to healing, back to the strength that Creator and our ancestors placed within us. I believe that when we walk together in unity, supporting one another with compassion and accountability, that path becomes possible for all of us.

Ishnish, thank you for allowing me to share today.