Student Affairs

Using Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing to care for one another

Indigenous Circles of Community Care bring together helpers from diverse educational and cultural backgrounds to build kindship, care and collective empowerment

Beaded red dress and orange shirt pins and an assortment of classic button pins.
Estimated Read Time:
2 minutes
Estimated Read Time:
2 minutes

Good food prepared by a community member, a group of helpers leading a sewing circle, people sharing stories of what has been happening in their lives, and being heard and receiving insights from others in the room in turn – all while someone’s young children play hide and seek nearby.

This is what caring for one another has looked like for the Indigenous Circles of Community Care, a new Indigenous-centred student community for people who have helping roles in community.

Student with Ribbon Dress
We care for each other as helpers, refilling our cups that we are constantly pouring out for others, fighting off the burnout that results from the hopelessness and unrealistic expectations often structurally embedded in colonial helping systems.

Bobby Hasselstrom, a member of the Indigenous Circles of Community Care

Indigenous Circles of Community Care came about as a result of a learning gathering called "Healing Under the Equinox: A Gathering for Care" held annually by the Indigenous Helpers Society. After this event, members of this community recognized that they wanted to engage in more activities that were grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing throughout the year. Through participation in the Community Leadership Development Program, community leaders received training and funding for a series of six circles in the 2025/26 academic year.

Community leader, Sonja Stone shares that “helpers in general need easier access to the care they offer to others regularly.” Sonja identified that this initiative came out of the lack of available structures for Indigenous and non-Indigenous helpers to build kinship, connect to culture, practice cultural safety together, and engage in collective empowerment. 

Challenging typical colonial structures is embedded into all aspects of the work that Indigenous Circles of Community Care does. For example, members of the team note that helpers from broad backgrounds are welcomed regardless of colonial ideas of education or experience. Sonja added that the circle ensures that no one is spotlighted or in a position of power over the others, and that children are also welcomed into the circle as they are recognized as current and future helpers.

The circles are planned to match what is happening within the community, such as beading orange shirt pins in September and a sharing circle to honor Trans and Two-Spirit Day of Remembrance. These are not the only plans for future circles – community members share that their goal is for those who are attending to step into leadership roles and identify new needs that have come up and support the planning of future circles to meet those needs. 

Beaded red dress and orange shirt pins and an assortment of classic button pins on a back pack

One highlight that the team brought up was how organically the community has come together to plan the events and grow their community. At one event when a facilitator cancelled last minute, the community members in attendance worked together to find hand drums, teach each other songs, and were able to achieve what they set out to do by working together. This is the norm for the community. As Bobby said, “We share responsibilities among the group and encourage participants to step up as leaders at current and future events.”

Sonja said the following when asked what the future of Indigenous Circles of Community Care looks like: “Personally, I want to see community care initiatives like ICCC everywhere I turn. I want all Indigenous helpers to have spaces where they are natural leaders who ensure all other helpers can generate a sense of belonging for and with each other, based on Indigenous ways of being, knowing and doing.”

The upcoming Indigenous Circle of Community Care on March 14 will be a time for new and returning community members to come together, reflect on what has been accomplished, and determine what comes next. For information on the March 14 event or to learn more about becoming an active member in this community reach out via email: indigenouscirclescare@gmail.com.

This story is part of a series highlighting the community-building work of student leaders in the Community Leadership Development Program. For information of the Community Leadership Development Program reach out to madison.reed@umanitoba.ca.