Completed Initiatives

First Nations Women’s Yoga Initiative (FNWYI) - 2020-2022 PROJECT COMPLETE

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What is the FNWYI?

FNWYI is a unique, 80-hour trauma-informed curriculum and training that prepares First Nations women and two-spirit people to practice and offer culturally-responsive and trauma-informed yoga programs in their respective communities. We collaborate with community leaders, Knowledge Keepers, Yoga teachers, Indigenous scholars, and Elder women living to offer a transformational program for our learners.

We completed our inaugural cohort in 2021 as well as a second cohort in 2022. We continue to refine our curriculum and program to cater to the dynamic shifts throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic and ongoing challenges in our communities.

FNWYI Project Partners

Yoga Outreach

Yoga Outreach has been facilitating yoga programs throughout BC within mental health programs, addiction's recovery centres, prisons, with youth, and in other social service settings since 1996. Last year we delivered over 1000 classes and served more than 7,000 people experiencing significant life challenges. You can find out more about Yoga Outreach at yogaoutreach.com.

FNWYI Updates

We are proud to have co-developed the FNWYI Curriculum from 2020-2021 and completed two cohorts from February 2021-June 2021 and February 2022- June 2022. As we have met our specific project goals and utilized our project funding, our collaborating team has decided to complete the partnership agreement. Upon completion of cohort two, we will no longer be offering the FNWYI in its current format in partnership with Yoga Outreach.

Moving forward, stewardship of the program and curriculum materials will be led by Jessica Barudin and the FNWYI Advisory team of Indigenous women who have completed the training and have continued to provide their guidance on the evolution of the initiative.

All inquiries about the FNWYI can be directed to Jessica Barudin. If you are interested in this program and would like to sign up to receive a notification for future training that is tailored to First Nations women and gender-diverse people, please fill out this form with contact info and we will notify you with updates for 2024 and beyond!