Michelle Nieviadomy

Business Owner of Iskwew Health

michelle.iskwew@gmail.com

Michelle Nieviadomy is a lively and charismatic indigenous entrepreneur here in Edmonton who runs and operates Iskwew (ISS-KWAY-O) Health. While not originally from Edmonton, she grew up in Saskatchewan and has been here now for 20 years. She also is a member of Kawacatoose First Nations. Her story is not only about her successes, but about finding herself and reconnecting with her culture, which was the foundation for developing Iskwew Health.

“I really found my place and who I am, here in Edmonton… Prior to this, I really struggled with being Indigenous and being an Indigenous woman. People would think I was Asian, and I would rather people think that than know I was Cree. So, I really deeply struggled with Identity. There was this piece of me that was missing. Of course, I couldn’t walk in freedom, wholeness, and healing when you’re ignoring who I was. I really started to reconcile with who I was, I started to acknowledge my roots. I remember praying if there is something to being Indigenous, if there is something good, because I felt like this wasn’t good for a long time. Not only was it portrayed in media and society that being Indigenous was, you know, all these stereotypes. I internalized the stereotypes and the discrimination against Indigenous peoples from both society and my own personal experiences resulting in the negative feelings I had towards my identity. So, I remember saying, ‘creator, if there is something good about being Indigenous, you got to let me know. You got to help me out here.’”

That was the moment things started to change for Michelle.

“teachers’ kind of came along my path and elders… that was completely foreign to me… It’s been a really good journey of reconciling with who I am, and healing and reconnecting with the history.”

Through the guidance of these teachers and elders and her own interest in fitness, it gave her the idea to open up a studio. She wanted to create a space in her community where people felt comfortable and belonged. But it wasn’t easy. Starting from very modest and humble beginnings, she got certified and started with just her and only two clients outside in the park. She would work three jobs, putting everything back into her business. Slowly, over time, she obtained a small space that would gradually get bigger with renovations over the years.

Obstacles

When asked if she faced any obstacles on her journey to opening Iskwew Health, she said that the main problem was discouragement from people, some of whom she looked up to. It was hard to deal with but she says,

“Early on, I knew that if I’m going to do this, I’m going to do this regardless of what anybody is going to say.” (About Iskwew)

Iskwew means “woman,” and the studio offers boot camps, Zumba, yoga, pow wow practice. In addition to that, Iskwew hosts sharing circles, Iskwewak (women) teachings, workshops, and women wellness retreats. When I asked Michelle how she came up with the name Iskwew she had explained that it was part of her healing process of accepting who she was.

“When I started the business, I knew my audience, I knew that it would be women. I knew that being an indigenous woman, I wanted to share my story and listen to their story, and we can heal and grow together. So it was important to me to call it Iskwew Health, and that was kind of challenging cause it’s a hard word; when you look at it, you don’t know how to say it, and that in itself can be a bit of a barrier. Still, for me, it was important because I’m reclaiming and saying this is who I am, and I am going to use this word.”

Advice

“I really believe everything starts with an intention and with a thought… We are wired for connection. The way that human beings are, we need that connection in our lives, and so I would say we are wired for connection to creator and community… Make those connections with the community, and I think that’s what’s really helped me here in Edmonton… Practice whatever connects you spiritually. For some people, it’s yoga, or church, or whatever, but just make that connection spiritually. But also, with yourself. It really starts with self. Finding your own spirit and who you are. So, I think all those pieces are really integral to really understand and really knowing who you are and be able to be free in who you are.”

What GROW has to offer Indigenous Women

“As Indigenous women, we haven’t always been respected; we didn’t always have a place. I think that now there is so much opportunity and so much space. I think it’s important for organizations to support and mentor women. Its absolutely necessary.”

~Interview by Garrett Bentley