FORT SIMPSON - A strong and peaceful aura was emanating from the conference room at Bannockland Bed and Breakfast from March 26-28.

Twenty women gathered for a workshop called Honouring a Woman's Spirit.

Together they were sharing traditional knowledge and experiences and focusing on positive things as women, said Tracy Waugh, who co-ordinated the event with Tonya Cazon and Ethel Lamothe.

Much of the gathering was spent in a sharing circle. Topics of discussion led by facilitator Rebecca Martel included the roles of women in the community, as leaders, traditional healers, spiritualists and in relationships, said Waugh.

While sharing, the women were also keeping their hands busy. Each participant made a medicine bag for another woman whose name she had drawn. The bags were designed with the recipient's qualities in mind.

Because the women's hands were busy with sewing and beading, something they are familiar with, people felt more free to speak, said Waugh.

Putting the finishing touches on her medicine bag on the final day, Cheryl Cli said she couldn't believe she had made the bag because she hasn't sewn much recently.

By watching the person it was intended for, Cli said she got the inspiration for the brightly-coloured bag. This was the second workshop Cli has taken with Martel.

The workshop was an affirmation of why women are created the way they are, said Cli. It also provided the chance to recognize the gift women have been given by the Creator to be creators.

"We have power of our own," said Cli.

Some of the powers discussed included perseverance, knowledge, conviction and commitment.

The gathering also recognized the current strength that many women in the community have and how that can be built upon, said Waugh. Being together with women from Fort Simpson, Trout Lake and Wrigley was a positive experience because in small communities you often don't interact with everyone, Waugh said.

"It was just really nice for me to have that time to sit with other women in my community," she said.

"You come away feeling so connected to other people."

The participants finished their workshop with a fire feeding and commitment ceremony at the Papal site where they committed themselves to using and protecting their sacred womanhood.

The Dehcho Divisional Education Council, Liidlii Kue First Nation's Brighter Futures program and Deh Cho Health and Social Services supported the workshop.