Stephanie Stevens delivers keynote address on balance, healing, and awareness

By Jesse Johnson

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON — Speaker and community advocate Stephanie Stevens of Garden River First Nation delivered a keynote address at the 11th Annual Anishinabek Nation Health Conference on October 21 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

Stevens’s keynote focused on achieving balance, fostering healing, and cultivating self-awareness. Drawing on personal experiences and ancestral teachings, Stevens encouraged attendees to reflect on their own journeys toward wellness and growth.

“We’re here to learn, not just from books or classes, but from our experiences, our relationships, and our ancestors,” Stevens said. “Every mistake, every wrong turn, has taught me something valuable.”

Stevens spoke about the challenges of maintaining balance in everyday life, emphasizing the importance of self-care, noting that many individuals dedicate themselves to supporting others while neglecting their own well-being.

“Sometimes we give so much that we forget we matter, too; but we can’t pour from an empty cup,” Stevens said.

A central theme of Stevens’s keynote was the importance of awareness and recognizing one’s emotions, patterns, and inner needs as the foundation for personal healing.

“We can’t change what we don’t see…Awareness is the first step in healing. When we listen to our own spirit, we begin to understand what we truly need.”

Stevens shared that her own journey toward awareness began when she stopped living according to others’ expectations and started to follow her personal truth.

Stevens also underscored the importance of connection and collective healing within Indigenous communities. She reminded attendees that wellness is strengthened through shared support, teachings, and love.

“Our ancestors lived in circles for a reason, and it was to support, to share, to teach, and to love. When one of us heals, it helps the whole community heal,” Stevens said.

Her message reflected a holistic understanding of health, rooted in Indigenous worldviews that emphasize balance between the individual, community, and natural world.

In closing, Stevens urged attendees to approach their personal growth with patience and compassion.

“Growth takes time. Healing takes courage. And awareness takes honesty,” she said. “Every day, ask yourself, ‘Am I living in balance?’ If the answer is no, that’s okay because awareness is the first step.”

If you want to connect with Stephanie Stevens, please visit her website: www.waabishkamiigwan.com.