We did some writing.

Twelve women sat around a table talking about their feelings, memories, and opinions. They described what they believe and what they know. Soon the room was quiet and the women concentrated on pens and paper as they wrote.

These women were part of a writing workshop that met three or four hours a week. They were students in the Aboriginal Women and the Workplace Program at Keyano College.

Nancy Steel, the instructor for the writing workshop, wanted women to understand more about the process of writing. She also wanted them to learn about writing as a way to explore their experiences.

Nancy thought a lot about how her work could be woman-positive. At first she thought that if a program is learner-centred it will be woman-positive. Now she is not so sure.

Before, I was concerned about seeing learners as individuals, not as men and women. But I began to see women as a specific group with specific learning needs and interests. I learned that women have viewpoints and positions that should be explored and are not too difficult or too emotional.

Nancy believes a group is woman-positive if it allows women to discover some freedom. A woman-positive literacy program is one where women control their learning and one that allows women to grow in all areas of their lives.

At the end of the program the college published the women's writing. Native Women Write Now is a record of the time the women spent together. The writings include humour, joy, pain, acceptance, and hope for the future. The women are proud of their writing. They became stronger from the support they experienced in this group. Here is one piece of writing from the class.

Katie - Woman

I remember my first sight of the woman.
I stood in the shadow of her doorway
I watched her cut her granddaughter's hair-
"Get away from there" she said to me
"Don't stand and stare" she scolded.

What a hard woman, I thought in my child's mind.
A mean old woman, my eyes saw.

The years passed.
I heard small bits and pieces of her life:
Trapper, hard working, respected, wise.

All these words were used to describe this woman.
I grew up, met and married a trapper,
raised four children.
I saw some of the world through the eyes of this woman.

The hands are old and pained with arthritis,
The hair is a steel grey.
The words I use to describe this woman we respected:
Wise, hardworking and trapper.

by Alberta M.