A Gathering of Matriarchs

Matriarchs have always been at the heart of Carrier and Sekani families, providing guidance, passing on traditional knowledge, and stepping in to resolve conflicts. As we move toward communities having the legal authority to make decision about their children and families, the strength of the Matriarchs grounds our collective work in traditional wisdom and community-based care.

The fifth Matriarchs’ Voices was hosted in Prince George on August 19 and 20, 2025. Beginning in 2021 with the inaugural meeting in Osoyoos, the Matriarchs’ Voices group is a growing collective of community Matriarchs providing insight and guidance on child and family matters. These sessions foster knowledge sharing across communities and provide guidance on the development of a Carrier Sekani child and family well-being law based in traditional governance.

Matriarchs provided feedback on what children, families, and communities need to thrive. Common themes from the group discussions included the importance of genealogy, preserving and passing on traditional practices like food harvesting and ceremonies, and creating better access to life skills and mentorship programs for children and youth. After two days together, a shared vision was clear: all Yinka Dene children have the right to know who they are, where they come from, and that they belong.

The feedback from the Matriarchs will join a growing collective of community voices guiding the future of child and family services across Carrier and Sekani territory. Community conversations about the jurisdiction project are ongoing, with sessions hosted in Nadleh, Stellaquo, Takla, Yekooche, Wet'suwet'en First Nation, Prince George, and more to come. These sessions are part of an ongoing relationship to strengthen community capacity and plan for a future that meets the unique needs of each Nation.

Stay tuned for announcements of sessions being hosted in each community. If you can’t make it to an in-person event, you can share your thoughts on the jurisdiction journey through the online survey at www.csfs.org/jurisdiction.