Cheryl Gopher, a hairstylist apprentice, shares her journey with visitors during the Atoskewin Success Gathering Wednesday. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Inspiring journey

Atoskewin Success Gathering a time for sharing stories, inspiring others

Feb 19, 2020 | 4:58 PM

Cheryl Gopher says her road to success has been a long one.

Gopher was one of a number of people who shared their inspiring stories during the Atoskewin Success Gathering in North Battleford this week.

The Saulteaux First Nation woman is a hairstylist apprentice and mentor at Atoskewin Success Centre’s hair salon. She is also a beauty technician.

“I like to take on challenges,” she said. “Once I start something I don’t stop; I like to keep achieving my goals.”

Gopher is also a talented horse racer and won a number of awards through the Lady Warriors and Canadian Indian Relay Racing Association racing season for her efforts.

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She said she had a dream about riding a race horse before she started in the sport.

“It was a God-given talent,” she said.

Gopher said it is also important to her to stand in solidarity with her community, and raise awareness about the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. She participated in the walk last summer for missing North Battleford woman Ashley Morin, to whom she is related.

She added through her involvement in horse racing events she has also been involved in advocacy work about the issue.

Author Kendra Weenie is shown with her memoir Surviving Domestic Violence. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Kendra Weenie from Sweetgrass First Nation said finding strength through her Cree culture helped her overcome a painful past in her life’s journey.

The young author had a booth at the event where she shared her story in her memoir Surviving Domestic Violence: My journey of self-care and healing.

Her former partner was sent to prison for viciously assaulting her in 2013.

“The one thing that has helped me to even just begin my healing journey was staying true to my values, a lot of the cultural teachings I was brought up with,” she said. “Anytime I was in distress or experiencing trauma, eventually I was able to remember those teachings. Ultimately, that is kind of what helped save my life and helped me to get ahead.”

Today Weenie offers self-care workshops to help other women who survived abusive relationships.

Kim Night, the Kiwewin Family Centre Coordinator with the Atoskewin Success Centre, described the Success Gathering event as an opportunity to share and showcase many people’s stories. Many touch on how they found their voice, as well as their career goals and talents, so they could perhaps inspire others who are exploring their path in life.

Some of those who spoke took their training through the Atoskewin Success Centre, while others reached their career and personal goals through other avenues such as education, career development or otherwise.

“I think a common theme is being true to yourself, and knowing that we all have challenges,” Night said, adding she hopes the event helps people know they can achieve whatever they pursue in life, and overcome obstacles along the way.

“We’re so resilient,” Night said. “Given the opportunity, we can use our platform for good… to come together and celebrate who we are as individuals in whatever we choose.”

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow