Under Powerful Wings: Reflections from Ottawa

March 2, 2026

By Mary-Jo Michell

I recently had the honour of travelling to Ottawa with the Indigenous Leadership Initiative (ILI) and Wildlife Conservation Society Canada (WCS Canada) as part of the First Nations Women Transforming Conservation Fellowship. I am still absorbing and processing everything I observed, felt, and learned. It was a week filled with powerful conversations, unforgettable moments, and reminders of why having Indigenous leaders in these spaces matters.

Twelve Meetings in Three Days

Over three days, we participated in twelve meetings with Ministers, Senators, and other key leaders. Each one offered insight into how decisions are made and how advocacy becomes action. I am deeply grateful for the stories and honesty shared with us. I understand how rare those conversations are. This work is heavy, and we were reminded that our sustainability matters just as much as our impact.

We also attended a Question Period in the House of Commons — an experience that was both exciting and eye-opening. Being there in person gave me another view of how these exchanges unfold. At times, I found myself reflecting on how easily important issues can become moments of performance, and how much work remains to create space for meaningful dialogue.

Another unforgettable moment was being welcomed into the Senate, where we were formally acknowledged and had our names entered into the permanent record. This is something I never could have imagined on my journey. To share that moment with the Honourable Ethel Blondin Andrew—the first Indigenous woman to serve as a federal Cabinet Minister — and with my fellow cohort member Taylor Galvin, Ozaawi Mashkode-Bizhiki, made it even more meaningful.

The Honourable Ethel Blondin Andrew, P.C., O.C., Valérie Courtois, Taylor Galvin Ozaawi Mashkode-Bizhiki, Senator Michèle Audette, Mary-Jo Michell, Justina Ray.

A Young Leader from Kanaka Bar

There were moments throughout the week when I had to pause and take it all in. It felt scary. It felt exciting. And damn it, it felt right. To be a young leader from Kanaka Bar sitting at those

tables, invited into conversations I didn’t think I would be part of — that is not something I take lightly.

I want our youth to know that no matter where you are from, you belong in these spaces too. It isn’t easy, and it won’t always be comfortable, but you just need to keep going. Believe in yourself. We have a place in this world. You matter. I matter. Our voices matter, and we are all in this together.

Mary-Jo Michell, Valérie Courtois, the Honourable Ethel Blondin Andrew, P.C., O.C., and Minister of Indigenous Services Mandy Gull-Masty.

Under the Wings of Powerful Women

One of the greatest honours of the week was sitting at these tables alongside Ethel and spending meaningful time with Taylor and the ILI and WCS Canada team. Watching Members of Parliament and Senators gravitate toward Ethel wherever we went was incredible. You could feel the respect and power she carries.

Being under the wings of women like these and having them provide mentorship, protection, strength and steady leadership is a form of education that cannot be replicated in any classroom. I hold my hands up to all the strong Indigenous women leaders out there who have and who continue to trail blaze these spaces for us and all future generations - kʷukʷscémxʷ

Taylor Galvin Ozaawi Mashkode-Bizhiki, the Honourable Ethel Blondin Andrew, P.C., O.C., and Mary-Jo Michell, Justina Ray.

Why Opportunities Like This Matter

Experiences like this do more than educate; they transform. They allow emerging leaders to see themselves in rooms where decisions are made. They remind us that our voices and knowledge matter. If we want strong leadership for the next generation, we must continue to uplift and invest in opportunities like these. That means mentoring. Sponsoring. Opening doors. Making space. Ensuring young leaders are not just invited to the table but are supported once they are there. The ripple effects of these moments are real.

I left Ottawa proud–proud of Indigenous women across this country who built the trail before us and those who continue to blaze it walking alongside us now. I was reminded that courage is not the absence of fear; it is showing up anyway. It is sitting at the table even when your voice shakes. It is listening deeply, learning constantly, and choosing to keep going. The fire for the next generation is not something we inherit quietly, it is something we protect, feed, and pass on intentionally.

To our youth: your voice belongs in every room. Your story matters. Where you come from is not a limitation, it is your strength. We are not waiting for permission anymore. We are already here.

Mary-Jo Michell and Taylor Galvin Ozaawi Mashkode-Bizhiki.