Our Founder

My name is Ivy Richardson (she/her), founder and Executive Director of Red Girl Rising Movement Society. I am Nuxalk and Gusgimukw through my matrilineal line and mixed European through my patrilineal line. Currently, I reside as a guest on the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. My diverse lived experiences, along with my background as an athlete and student, have shaped me into a dedicated community builder. My goal is to cultivate communities that are safe, empowered, and joyful, with movement as my primary tool.

Our Mission

Red Girl Rising is a non-profit organization focused on movement as medicine. We collaborate closely with communities to develop empowering and accessible movement programs, camps, and workshops. Additionally, we proudly operate Team 700, British Columbia’s first competitive Indigenous youth boxing team, and Wina (meaning warrior in Kwak’wala) Wellness, a dedicated safe space for Indigenous women and girls. Our mission is to provide safe, empowering, and accessible movement opportunities for individuals and communities, enabling them to unlock their inherent potential and thrive.

“The values I instilled in you and the way you conduct yourself every single day is culture.”

Our Origin Story

Red Girl Rising was born from a conversation with my mom about cultural upbringing. Her words, “The values I instilled in you and the way you conduct yourself every single day is culture,” prompted me to see culture as an iceberg, with much of its depth unseen. This realization led to the question of how to infuse everyday life with the deep teachings of ceremony. I found a profound connection between movement and ceremony, understanding movement as a fundamental part of my daily ceremonial practice. Living each day as a ceremony cultivates well-being within our culture, and in turn, culture nurtures our well-being in a deeply interconnected and reciprocal relationship.

Our Vision

For me, movement is a daily ceremony honoring my body, heart, mind, and spirit. It offers me an opportunity to honor Creator, my ancestors, family, community, and future generations. It strengthens me, enabling me to walk with integrity and goodness, expanding my capacity for love, joy, and countless blessings. Red Girl Rising represents the convergence of my two greatest passions: community and movement as medicine. It is a sacred space where we share teachings, engage in practice, and pursue living each day as a ceremony, showcasing the strength and excellence of our communities.