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Ruth Scalp Lock is a Siksika[1] survivor of the Canadian Indian residential school system. Scalp Lock was in the notorious residential school system for fourteen years, beginning at the age of six. Eventually, Scalp Lock went back to her traditional roots, embracing the way her father raised her. On March 14, 1974, she changed her life by embracing sobriety and healing, which began over 40 years of dedicating her life to helping her community members and urban Indigenous families in Calgary, Alberta. Scalp Lock was one of the first Indigenous women in southern Alberta to make a connection between Indigenous families and social workers by establishing trust and concern through working with the families in order to keep the family circle strong.
Awo Taan Native Healing Lodge[]
[2] In 1986 Scalp Lock came together with a group of concerned people to make a safe place for Indigenous women and children escaping from abuse and in need of shelter. It was Scalp Lock’s dream to open a Native Women’s Shelter in Calgary. Finding a location for and then opening the shelter took many years and had the support of Mayor Alder, Ralph Klein, and many other local leaders. It was finally opened in 2007, Scalp Lock giving it the name Awo Tann Healing Lodge.The name Awo Taan means 'shield,' which was given to Margaret Bad Boy and her husband at a Sundance back in 1930. In a ceremonial gathering, Bad Boy gave Scalp Lock the name Awo Taanaakii (Shield Woman), a name which recognizes her role as a protector to women and children. The lodge is a shelter uniquely designed for Indigenous families because of its traditional and spiritual healing practices, such as the medicine wheel, speaking with Elders, and smudging.
References[]
^Adam Abdulla, Shamim. Justice and healing for victims of sexual abuse in Canadian Indian residential schools (Thesis). University of Northern British Columbia. doi:10.24124/2013/bpgub915.
