The Keeper of the Fire came to life when First Nations educators were introducing the Girl on Fire Empowerment Program into their communities and it was suggested that their teachings be incorporated into the Girl on Fire curriculum.
Hence, the Keeper of the Fire was collaboratively created by First Nations knowledge keepers in Atlantic Canada and Girl on Fire Founder Jenny Kierstead, with the intent to instil in young women and teen girls pride in their ancestral lineage and the strength of their matriarchal bloodline.
This way, First Nations young women and teen girls not only gain the transformative teachings within the Girl on Fire Program, they also receive the wisdom teachings from their Indigenous traditions.
We offer the Keeper of the Fire to other indigenous communities as a framework, to be adapted according to your traditions and teachings.
Note that this supplementary material is designed to be delivered by First Nations leaders to their young women.
The Keeper of the fire program, which is being implemented into First Nations and Indigenous communities from NFLD to Nunavut, is suitable for all age levels, with age appropriate modifications.
Proceeds from the Keeper of the Fire Material will go to groups that support First Nations Women, stay tuned for more details
We offer our deepest gratitude to Janean Marshall, Director of Student Services in Nova Scotia, who collaborated with us on this project to ensure that First Nations women are properly supported. We also thank the educators in Labrador/NFLD who contributed to this concept, in content and delivery. A special thank you goes to Tiffany and Jasmine LaBillois, who contributed to the rich content and who were the first to bring Keeper of the Fire to their communities in New Brunswick.
What was developed in collaboration in Mi'MaKi, is meant to be shared in sisterhood, Nation to Nation, across Turtle Island.
Janean Marshall (she/her/nekm)
Director of Academic Services, Mi'Kmaw Kina'matnewey
Want to view a sample of the Keeper of the Fire Program?
This sample of Keeper of the Fire content, based on Girl on Fire principles, was created by educators Tiffany and Jasmine LaBillois, in NB