Listening to our grandmothers
- Marjorie D.L. Roden | February 20, 2023
An idea originating from an IndieGoGo campaign two years ago has grown into something bigger, with a broader audience.
Singer/actor Andrea Menard and Prince Albert Artist-in-Residence Leah Dorion have teamed up to create feminine guidance cards that use traditional lessons.
“(Menard) wrote it, and then she licensed images from me to kind of bring her card deck of meditation cards to life,” said Dorion, adding “She featured my art to go along with her teachings.”
“These were the independent version that I did through an IndieGoGo campaign,” Menard said of the original deck. “I found out how expensive they were to print. I went ‘Oh man, I’m not a publisher, this is expensive.’”
Bringing her long-time friend on board in Dorion was a no-brainer.
“Andrea and I have a long history together because she’s originally from Prince Albert and we grew up together,” Dorion said.
“We went to (Carlton Comprehensive) High School together. We’ve stayed connected, and she (Menard) did a pre-run. Then she got a publisher from the states. Mango Publishing will be re-releasing the cards in the spring.”
The new version is to include Dorion’s artwork, because she has updated a few of the images.
“It’s rebirthing her project, and it will be to a way bigger audience,” Dorion stated.
The cards, which Menard refers to as “an Indigenous version of oracle cards,” were meant as a teaching tool to be used at her Sacred Feminine Learning Lodge in British Columbia.
“They’re like a deck of motivational cards,” said Dorion. “You know, the cards are deeper diving and it has a whole set of traditions that are more focused on positive thinking and motivational thoughts.”
She was impressed with the concept so she wanted to get involved.
“I just think what’s so cool is it’s simple, beautiful wisdoms that take us back to basics, and the simplicity and beauty of them is all sacred feminine things,” said Dorion. “They all work together.”
The previous deck of 52 cards held several lessons from “the grandmothers,” explained Menard.
“My idea (was) to help bring the concept to more people, and to help people be more gentle on themselves, and more gentle on the planet,” she said. “The cards are all about gentle messages about connecting with the Earth, the birds, your body, your four sacred bodies (physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual), your emotions, your mind, all of it. It’s like getting in touch with the quiet parts of yourself, and honouring all the things we take for granted.”
What else can the creators of these cards say regarding them? Dorion responded, “I would say it has a really Métis point of view. It takes values from both (Indigenous and settler) worlds, the lived experience… it’s a beautiful stew!”
The IndieGoGo edition cards are now scarce. Menard is selling them “in bundles, where you have to get the (card) reading.”
However, the new cards will be sold at a cheaper rate because they’re not a limited edition.
“They’ll be global,” said Dorion. “Hopefully, they’ll go all over the globe and these Métis girls’ work will get out there. That’s what I hope.”
The original seeds from the Sacred Feminine Wisdom Cards are available online (with a card reading as part of the package) at https://sacredfemininelearninglodge.com/wisdomcards
The updated cards will be available for sale May 9 on Amazon.