She is Wise conference highlights intergenerational Indigenous motherhood.

About 500 Indigenous women attended the seventh annual She is Wise conference in Ottawa, hosted by the Ontario Native Women's Association, which focused on the journey of motherhood across generations.

About 500 Indigenous women gathered in Ottawa this week for the seventh annual She is Wise conference. The event was hosted by the Ontario Native Women's Association and centred on the journey of motherhood from grandmothers to aunties to youth. Each day of the program honoured a different generation, and speakers framed the gathering as a place for leadership, cultural transmission and resilience. Organizers and presenters described the conference as an emotional and positive space for connection. Key details: - The conference drew roughly 500 people to Ottawa for the seventh annual She is Wise gathering. - It was hosted by the Ontario Native Women's Association (ONWA), which began in Thunder Bay and now works across the province. - The program devoted one day to grandmothers, one day to mothers and one day to youth to reflect intergenerational themes. - Cora McGuire-Cyrette, ONWA CEO, spoke about heart-centred leadership, cultural roles and learning across generations. - Patricia McGuire, a recently-retired associate professor at Carleton University's School of Social Work, delivered a keynote and led a session on Indigenous women's narratives, healing and land-based knowledge. - Delegates attended from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and regions along the East Coast. Summary: Attendees described the conference as emotional and affirming, noting resilience, joy and intergenerational connection. Organizers said the event aimed to strengthen leadership and cultural transmission among Indigenous women. They reported plans to seek ways forward that involve women from across the country.