Reflections | July 2025
Sharing the power of creation through Stardale’s History.
At Stardale, the power and impact of creativity knows no bounds. Each creative initiative our girls have participated in over the years is more than just an activity—it’s a form of expression, healing, and connection. Throughout their time with Stardale, the girls have been invited to create and let their ideas come to life through art, writing, storytelling, performance, and more. These moments of making weren't just about the final product; they were about reflection and honouring the unique experiences of each participant. Each creation became a mirror, offering insight into their journeys, dreams, and growth.
In this blog, we explore the powerful impact some of these acts of creation had through the perspectives of participants and those who made the programming possible. From strengthening bonds within the group to transforming the life of each individual girl. . These reflections live on, etched into memory, reminding us of the strength that emerges when young voices are seen, heard, and celebrated.
Reflections on History - The Sacred Weft
The Sacred Weft Project © stands as a powerful testament to the strength and resilience woven through creativity and the magic of truly creating something from nothing with your own two hands. Through fabric, thread, and story, the women of Stardale stitched their experiences, hopes, and cultural identity into stunning textile pieces that spoke volumes. This project was more than art, it was a reclamation of voice, a celebration of Indigenous womanhood, and a bridge between generations. In the case of this initiative, the creation of each of these weavings ties each woman who participated into generations of history.
What made it even more profound was how these creations traveled beyond our Stardale community, crossing provincial & international lines and resonating with audiences. When the Sacred Weft pieces were displayed at the Glenbow Museum, they invited the public into a sacred space of healing, truth, and shared humanity. They shared a message. The creations of these women became a force that connected hearts, challenged perspectives, and inspired countless others across Canada.
Reflections on The Road
The Road © was a powerful creative journey that invited the Stardale girls to reflect on their past, examine their present, and envision a future far from the hurt and suffering they and their generations of family had experienced. The making of the film was not only a chance to tell a story, it was a deeply personal process, that asked the girls to dig into their lived experiences and speak from the heart.
The project began with reflection, circle discussions and of course, writing. “Each night’s prompts led to writing that the girls do for me on recipe cards in brightly coloured pens. In this way, I ended up with hundreds of cards which I then attempted to shuffle into order for a performance piece, using only the girls’ own words. I am only the editor.” - Eugene Stickland, 2020
Through writing, acting, and visual storytelling, they crafted a narrative that was raw, emotional, and beautifully honest. It captured their real stories as they walked "the road" together. The creation of this film left a lasting impact, not only on the girls themselves, but on every viewer who watched and listened with an open heart. “We are determined that those stories will be told, and that they will be heard. Silence no more. Our girls’ voices will be heard. We are transforming our live performance piece into a video which we will eventually be able to share far and wide. “ - Eugene Stickland, 2020
Reflections on Shadows
Shadows in Time © is a short film created by the girls of the Stardale Women’s Group Inc. class of 2021 on the subject of Racism in our society. Like every Stardale project, Shadows in Time © was more than the film itself, it was a courageous act of truth-telling. Created by the girls of Stardale, the film explored the raw and painful realities of racism and the Indigenous experience through their own eyes and voices. In the process of creating it, the girls found power in naming their stories, and with that power came healing.
“Enlightenment reveals truths and pains that are sadly numerous and uniformly held. I feel and relate to their knowledge and find my truths are aligned with their reality although knowing that these experiences are still after many years a part of the Indigenous experience saddens me.The work Stardale does must shine a light on those facts. I am certain that these strong young ladies can make a difference with the help of Stardale.” - Eugene Stickland, 2021
Every scene, every line, was a step toward reclaiming identity and breaking silence. The finished project shares actual stories and experiences of the participants, written by them, lived by them. But the impact didn’t stop with them. For every person who watched Shadows in Time ©, it stirred something deep.
Screenings of the films held deep empathy, discomfort, understanding, and ultimately, transformation. Audiences were moved not just by the honesty of the film, but by the undeniable strength of the young women behind it. Many to tears. It challenged assumptions, opened hearts, and created space for meaningful dialogue. The film became a shared experience of healing, rippling out from the creators to everyone it touched.
“On Wednesday, one young girl (thirteen years old) approached me and said she had written something for me. I was surprised as she was with us last year and I don’t remember her contributing any writing in the past. She handed me two filing cards. The top one showed a stylized drawing of a girl, otherwise, the cards were filled with text.
I have taught creative writing all over the world in a variety of settings and situations for some forty years. I am certain that I have never read such a well-written or impactful paragraph before. This brought a tear to my eye and sent a shiver up my spine. It’s that good. If it was the first paragraph of a book you bought or checked out of the library, would you be surprised? I don’t think so. If anything, you would want to keep on reading.” - Eugene Stickland, 2021
Reflections on Artwork
Through the decades of Stardale programming the participants engaged in countless artistic projects through a wide variety of mediums. Each project has an opportunity to channel both their creativity and their emotions at any given time. Each of these pieces of art created are pages in the story of Stardale.
During our Hope Feeds The Heart © project, we compiled poems and artwork created by the Stardale girls to share meaningful messages of what hope meant to them. These pieces were then developed into beautiful printed cards to share with the community. Everyone who saw them raved about how powerful the messages were and what beautiful messages each of the girls shared. Many people shared that they’d kept their cards and hung them in their homes. Seeing something as commonplace as a postcard make such an impact on individuals and on our larger community just goes to show how each one of the creations from each of the girls has more impact then they’ll ever know.
You can view many of the original art pieces from the project in our digital gallery.
Creation doesn’t always have to be grand either. During our summer months Stardale often focused on creativity and expression in simpler ways. Drawing, painting and chalk art were favorites. Giving the girls the opportunity to create free from pressure or time constraints. The girls would often go out and draw with chalk, images, inspirational messages, anything they were thinking or feeling. These moments while not as grand as a film premier or stage performance were still so important. They captured the creations in a different light and showed these young girls that their voices and art could bring a smile to the faces of people passing them on the path. That there is joy to be found in so many places.
Reflections on the Journey
"Art becomes the sacred bridge between pain and healing, where each brushstroke carries the weight of ancestral wisdom and each color choice reflects the resilience of generations. For Indigenous girls, creating art is not merely self-expression—it is a ceremony of reclamation, where trauma transforms into strength, silence becomes voice, and broken spirits find their way back to wholeness. Through art as the mechanism to teach and to heal, we honor the belief that each woman heals in her own time and place, and wisdom is shared through the sacred act of creation. In this space where tears are healing and laughter is enriching, art serves as both mirror and medicine, reflecting the totality of experience while weaving together the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual threads of Indigenous identity into a tapestry of empowerment." - Helen McPhaden, 2025
The creative process and creativity itself takes many forms. Through fabric, film, poetry, performance, painting, and at Stardale, each act of creation has carried deep meaning and impact. Whether it was the stitching of a story, the telling of a truth, or the painting of a feeling, these creative expressions offered healing, connection, and strength. They allowed the girls to explore who they are, share where they come from, and imagine who they can become. And while these moments were deeply personal for the young women who created them, they also rippled outward and touched the hearts of those around them. The result was a powerful sense of unity, pride, and transformation The perfect reminder to us all that when young voices are given the tools to create, they also create change.
