Indigenous people living off-reserve in P.E.I. are finding community and connection through the SAFE workshops organized by the Native Council of P.E.I.

The program brings people together to share culture, stories, and creativity through activities like blanket-making, helping participants feel supported and connected. The Strengthening Aboriginal Families Effectively (SAFE) program teaches skills such as blanket-making while providing cultural support for those living off-reserve.

One of the participants, Lynn Bradley, who has attended for years, says the workshops are more than just activities, as they have helped her reconnect with her culture and feel like part of a community. Bradley, who is originally from the Six Nations of the Grand River, says it can be difficult to stay connected to her traditions while living away.

The SAFE program has grown over the years and is now offered in several communities across Prince Edward Island. Participants in the blanket-making group come from many Indigenous nations, including Mi’kmaq, Mohawk, Inuit, and Cree. They say the diversity makes the group special, as it allows them to share and learn from each other’s cultures.

Source: Delaney Kelly, CBC