Cultural connection drives empowered futures
About six years ago, Sarah Adams-Cornell and Kendra Wilson-Clements were discussing issues impacting Indigenous women and children in the Oklahoma City metro amidst an outbreak of suicide among Native youth. Mothers, aunts and members of the Choctaw Nation, the two women didn’t know then that their conversation about the unique needs of their community would evolve into a nonprofit organization that continues to grow, serve and inspire. Matriarch was founded in November 2015 to empower Indigenous women, Two-Spirit and non-binary people and their children through education, community building and advocacy for positive change. Particularly in urban settings, away from their tribes of origin, there aren’t many spaces reserved specifically for Native women, shared Wilson-Clements, in which they can feel safe, learn and heal together. “Our conversation about Indigenous mothers not having enough access to care and tools to help our children was the jumping off point,” said Adams-Cornell. “There are very learnable tools that we could have other sisters who are subject matter experts teach so we can save ourselves and help our children save themselves.” As founders, Adams-Cornell and Wilson-Clements knew they wanted to ensure Indigenous women were teaching Matriarch’s programs. There was an immediate outpouring of women who wanted to lend their time and talents to the organization. “I’ve been part of programs with non-Indigenous people trying to ‘save’ us without understanding what it’s like to be an Indigenous person,” said Adams-Cornell. “This has to be from our perspective and lived experience.” Matriarch has established both an Oklahoma City and Tulsa chapter, and the groups meet twice a month to enjoy a meal and a speaker. Programs include subject matter experts presenting and Matriarch BY ERIN PAGE . PHOTOS PROVIDED.
MATRIARCH MEMBERS ENJOY PROGRAMMING IN THE COMMUNITY.
MATRIARCH FOUNDERS SARAH ADAMS-CORNELL AND KENDRA WILSON-CLEMENTS
24 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / NOV-DEC 2021
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