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Wele'g Dwennimmen Roots of Survivance Institute
Dr. Ann Marie Beals established the Wele’g Dwennimmen Roots of Survivance Institute in 2024 to promote Indigenous ways of being, knowing, and survivance, emphasizing holistic approaches to health and wellbeing. Indigeneity for the context of this institute is inclusive on Indigenous Peoples globally – all around Mother Earth.
Wele’g, which means living well in the Mi’kmaq language, embodies the concept of holistic wellbeing, interconnectedness, and balance in life. It reflects a way of being that honours relationships with oneself, others, and the natural world, rooted in the values of respect, reciprocity, and resilience. Dwennimmen, an Adinkra symbol from the Indigenous Gyaman people of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, represents the strength of the mind, body, and soul, reflected in humility, wisdom, and learning in the universality of Mother Earth.
At Wele’g Dwennimmen, we embrace survivance as a living, dynamic expression of Indigenous wellbeing that thrives through our connection to Mother Earth and the continuance of our stories. Survivance is more than survival, more than resilience – it is a powerful narrative of presence and resistance against erasure, rooted in the wisdom of our ancestors and the land that sustains us. It honours the strength and vitality of Indigenous cultures, weaving together the strength of our communities, the essence of the natural world, and the commitment to creating balance and harmony for future generations. Through this lens, survivance becomes an active, transformative force, celebrating the stories, relationships, and practices that sustain and uplift us. We honour Gerald Vizenor for sharing his great wisdom in illuminating survivance as a powerful narrative of Indigenous presence, strength, and the endurance of our stories, even as we create new stories.
Wele’g Dwennimmen is dedicated to creating learning opportunities, advancing research, and building community connections that honour Indigenous knowledge systems and traditions. Our mission is to support the wellbeing and self-determination of today’s generations and seven generations to come. Through respectful collaboration, we aim to strengthen cultural identities, deepen connections to the land, and promote sustainable practices rooted in community wisdom and the spirit of survivance.
Projects
Title: Advancing Community Safety: A Comprehensive Exploration and Development of Culturally Relevant Strategies for Rural and Urban Indigenous Communities
PI: Ann Marie Beals
Co-investigator: Felix Munger
Collaborator: Canadian Municipal Network on Crime Prevention
Research Associate: Jazlyn O'Bonsawin MA
Funding: MITACS and the Canadian Municipal Network on Crime Prevention
Rationale and Objectives
This research focuses on improving community safety and care within urban and rural Indigenous communities, addressing longstanding gaps in understanding the factors that influence safety. By integrating culturally grounded and evidence-informed approaches, the project seeks to decolonize existing safety frameworks and promote community-led solutions. Central to this initiative is a systematic review of academic and grey literature, as well as direct engagement through interviews and sharing circles with community members, subject matter experts, and practitioners. These methods work to uncover the unique indicators of community care rooted in Indigenous worldviews and to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous Peoples in the Canadian judicial/carceral system.
What are we doing?
In collaboration with the Canadian Municipal Network on Crime Prevention, this project also involves developing practical tools, such as policy briefs, training materials, and evaluation frameworks, to enhance community safety initiatives across Northern Turtle Island. With an emphasis on cultural relevance and decolonization, the research aligns with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the recommendations from the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls report. Ultimately, this work aspires to strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities, support systemic change, and provide sustainable strategies for promoting care and wellbeing in Indigenous communities.
Title: Wele'g Dwennimmen Roots of Survivance Symposium| 2025-2026
PI: Ann Marie Beals
Funding: SSHRC Exchnage Grant
Rationale and Objectives
Wele’g Dwennimmen Roots of Survivance brings together Indigenous teachings from both Turtle Island and Motherland Afrika, honouring shared histories of resilience, creativity, and continuity. This symposium is grounded in the concept of survivance, which speaks to active presence, story, and cultural strength rather than narratives of absence. The gathering aims to create a shared space for Elders, Knowledge Keepers, scholars, community leaders, and youth to imagine what Wele’g Dwennimmen can become as an institute dedicated to Indigenous wellbeing, cultural revitalization, and relational ways of knowing. Our goal is to build a collective vision and identify priorities that honour the interconnectedness of Community, Culture, and Land.
What are we doing?
We are hosting a one-day, collaborative symposium that brings people from many communities together through ceremony, dialogue, and shared planning. The day includes a keynote on Indigenous knowledge and survivance, small-group sessions using World Café and workshop methods, and collective discussions about future directions for the institute. Participants will help shape a strategic framework for Wele’g Dwennimmen, including research pathways, community partnerships, and knowledge-sharing practices. These conversations will guide how the institute moves forward in supporting Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island and in the Afrikan Diaspora, in ways that reflect balance, humility, and relational accountability.