āhkamēyimowin (perseverance): walking together

Gaspar et al discuss that a codesigned research project resulted in empowering First Nations girls. To build a sense of empowerment among Indigenous youth, particularly First Nations girls, it is important that they are included in the development of research and projects that are committed to achieving this goal. Using an empowering process and working closely with the girls of the Girl Power Program at Sturgeon Lake First Nation in Saskatchewan, who contributed equally to all research aspects, we designed a study that aimed at influencing positive changes among First Nations girls. The Cree word ahkameyimowin - a term gifted by Knowledge Keeper at Sturgeon Lake First Nation and one of the Girl Power Program Co-Leads Ms Kingfisher - was a guiding principle for this study, which involved walking with the girls of the program to cocreate research within a transformative learning environment (TLE).