Day 8. Aunties, Uncles & Auntie-ship, Family as Collective Care.
In many Indigenous communities, “aunties” and “uncles” are not merely biological relations; they are the heart of collective care. Aunties are the mentors who tell the truth, hold the stories, and show up when others can’t. They braid hair, teach songs, pass down recipes, and speak hard wisdom wrapped in love. To be an auntie or uncle is to embody the principle that raising a child, and sustaining a community, takes all of us.
In a world where individualism often isolates, auntie-ship reminds us that care is communal. In Unitarian Universalist circles, we live this out when we mentor youth, support families, and hold space for one another’s growth. To be an “auntie” in the spirit of kinship is to practice love as responsibility; to nurture not from obligation but from joy.
Let us honor those who guide with humor, wisdom, and fierce compassion. May we each be someone’s auntie or uncle in spirit; offering presence that sustains life.
Stories of Collective Care
The practice of auntie-ship and collective care offers a model for thriving, interconnected community.
Common Ground
First Nations Family and Kinship Systems – Aunties and uncles are often community elders who are respected for their accumulated knowledge, humor, and ability to enforce community values with love.
Honoring Wisdom
Indigenous Aunties Mentorship Program – This initiative centers on the idea that “Aunties, we carry the stories, wisdom, and laughter of our ancestors,” using culturally grounded mentoring to guide the next generation.
–Beyond the Nuclear Family
The meaning of family in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures Indigenous Kinship Systems structure of relationships, responsibilities, and behaviors, ensuring that child-rearing extends far beyond the immediate parents to include an extensive network of family and community members.
“Aunties are the architects of belonging.”
— Chelsea Vowel, Métis writer and educator
The Power of Truth
Dahleen Glaton of The Chicago Tribune, defines the term Auntie as being used frequently in countries such as India and throughout Africa, where age signifies dignity and the elderly are considered an asset to the community rather than a burden. In Black culture, younger people sometimes use the title to signal respect toward an older woman who has proven to be audacious and wise.Who are the aunties, uncles, or mentors in your life? How might you practice “auntie-ship” in your community?
Learn More
- Explore Chelsea Vowel’s work, Indigenous Writes – a Métis writer and educator, who uses her blog and book to address common misconceptions about Indigenous peoples and history, offering clear, insightful, and often humorous perspectives on kinship and community.
- Understanding First Nations Family and Kinship Systems – This resource explains the expansive concept of family and kinship in First Nations communities, where “aunties,” “uncles,” and “cousins” often function as immediate parents and siblings, embodying collective responsibility and care.
- Earth Guardians – Supporting Indigenous Communities with Youth Leadership Training
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