A woman with blonde hair smiling at the camera, wearing a black top and earrings, standing against a neutral background.

The Matriarchal Leader

Helen McPhaden

Their Formal Role & Accomplishments

 Helen is the Executive Director and a founding member of Stardale Women’s Group. Her decades of dedicated work within the Indigenous community, from mentoring girls to her recognized leadership, are the bedrock of this initiative. She is the recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal, JLC Partnership Service Award, and the ECOS Award (Event for Communities of Sustainability) for her sustainable community work. She is truly the glue that holds Stardale together and is at the helm of all its incredible projects and initiatives.

The Spirit They Bring

Helen is the vision holder, cultural anchor, and "Prayer Warrior." She is the bedrock of the work; her strength is not loud, but deep and unwavering. She understands that healing is not linear and has proven her ability to navigate profound crises, like the 2013 floods, without ever losing sight of the hope ahead. She carries the stories of "the women who held things together" and sees that same innate strength and leadership in every young person she works with.

A woman in a red plaid vest giving a colorful Christmas stocking to a girl wearing a Santa hat and striped shirt. A woman in a blue dress and glasses is smiling in the background. There is a basket of knitted Christmas stockings nearby.

Key Characteristics

  • Quiet Authority: She leads with a calm, steady presence that commands respect without needing to demand it. She can quiet a room with a look and holds a circle with absolute safety and integrity.

  • Relentless Advocate: Her awards testify to a lifetime of being a driving force, tirelessly working to open doors and create opportunities for her community, especially the youth.

  • Cultural Bridge: She walks skilfully in two worlds, leveraging her deep understanding of both Indigenous protocols and the systems of funding and policy to speak truth to power in a way that is heard and respected.

  • See-er of Potential: She possesses an unshakable belief in the greatness of every young person, even when that person cannot see it in themselves. This unwavering faith makes her a genuine "beacon of hope."

What to Look For in Your Community

Look for the respected matriarch—the Auntie, Kokum, or community organizer who everyone goes to for advice. She is the one who organizes community meals, knows everyone's story, and has spent a lifetime working quietly and effectively for her people. Her credibility, like Helen's, is earned through a lifetime of service and profound trust.

Three women smiling and hugging, one holding a pink flower in front of her face, in an indoor setting.
A group of young girls in colorful traditional clothing holding drums, standing on stage during a performance, with an older woman speaking into a microphone.
A woman in a pink dress standing at a microphone on a stage, with red dresses displayed on mannequins behind her. There is a camera in the foreground focused on her.
A woman with blonde, curly hair embraces a young girl with her arms around the woman. A woman with long, dark hair in a black jacket is smiling nearby. In the background, a girl in a blue shirt stands, and other people are seated or walking in a wait
Woman speaking at a podium during a presentation, with a projection of a group of people on a screen behind her
Two women standing side by side, smiling. The woman on the left has blonde hair and is holding a microphone, wearing a black top. The woman on the right has dark hair, is wearing traditional attire with a headdress and jewelry.
A group of nine young women stacking on each other in a classroom, smiling and making playful gestures.