New Indigenous lodge opens at YWCA Regina

A special ceremonial and cultural space in Regina has opened its doors to families, First Nations, and anyone seeking knowledge and healing.

The new space, apihkêsîs-nôtokwêhtâwin (Old Woman Spider Place), celebrated its grand opening during National Indigenous Peoples Day. The ceremony space and sweat lodge is located in the courtyard of the YWCA Regina kikaskihtânaw Centre for Women and Families, and was opened to support healing, well-being, ceremony, and cultural connection.

“We wanted to encourage a resurgence of Indigenous culture and ceremony that were taken away or at risk of being lost through Residential school and colonization,” said Jessica Gordon, Senior Director of Decolonization, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the YWCA.

“So they decided that they wanted to provide space for Indigenous people to start having their ceremonies, their culture, start learning their ways again.”

Named in ceremony by Elder and Knowledge Keeper Nina Wilson, the ‘Old Woman Spider Place’ refers to a spirit who guides learners so they can be safe but independent. The spider is a sacred being woven through many creation stories, said Gordon.

The new space includes a large central learning and ceremonial space, a covered sweat lodge, a medicine preparation room, two Elder consultation rooms, a resources and learning room, and a fully equipped kitchen.

Families and groups can utilize the spaces for feasts, gatherings, or ceremonies.

“This is an important community building space,” said Jeremy Fourhorns, Tribal Chief of File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council. “I fully support providing space for healing and wellness in the communities we work and live in.”

The lodge, open to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit families, groups, and individuals, has already hosted knowledge gatherings, ceremonies, rain dances, cultural teaching, and sweats. They plan on hosting weekly sweats for specific groups, including women, co-ed, 2SLGBTQIA+, and men.

“We know a lot of our people have trouble accessing these ceremonies when they take place outside the city. So we felt in important to bring this to Regina,” said Gordon. “Now you don’t have to travel two hours to attend a sweat.”

The design of the building was inspired by the work of legendary Indigenous architect Douglas Cardinal, who uses curving forms and earth-tone materials that created a sculpted effect similar to natural landforms.

The lodge has a large skylight at its centre, with a design surrounding it that is reminiscent of a spider legs or a web, said Gordon.