MOVING FORWARD WITH
Reconciliation
In
Mental health
Johnson, Gloria. "Medicine Wheel." The Medicine Wheel: Learning with an Indigenous Perspective 23 May 2013
Leah Schulting is the manager of the Canadian Mental Health Assn (CMHA) housing unit in Penticton, BC. CMHA provides safe, affordable housing to those suffering with mental illness. Poor housing that is run down or over-crowded can make it difficult to recover from poor overall health. It can also make recovery from mental illness/mental abuse problems much more difficult to overcome. The aim for the safe housing CMHA provides is to provide the stability that can lead to many more positive changes in a person's well-being. "Housing isn’t just about a house—it’s part of a path to safety, security, connectedness and acceptance" (CMHA 2014).
Notable Discoveries From the Interview New Policies: Across BC, the CMHA has been committed to Truth and Reconciliation training across the whole federation from managers to staff. The leader of the Cowichan Branch is Indigenous and is leading the way in reconciliation which other branch's are following. Additionally, the CMHA in Penticton always begin their meetings with a prayer/thank-you to the land. Changes to the Industry: There has been commitment from CMHA leaders to amend and change policies that previously affected Indigenous people in Canada negatively. Some CMHA branches have a high percentage of Indigenous people and so their services and programs have been adapted to largely consist of traditional healing such as smudging. Changes Locally (Penticton): The local CMHA group has partnered with the Penticton Indian Band (PIB) to deliver mental health courses at the Footprints Centre (provides help to Indigenous people with disabilities in the Okanagan), located on the PIB reservation. There have also been traditional healing sessions at the housing unit such as dreamcatcher-making. The CMHA in Penticton also have a part in the Women's Wellness Day at the Osoyoos Indian Band. Barriers: The stigma and systematic racism that exists in todays society towards Indigenous people in Canada makes it difficult for these people to find employment. However, the CMHA organization itself has taken the opportunity to diversify its employment, with representation from Indigenous, Black, Asian, and LGBTQQIP2SAA at all levels in the federation. Leah shared that she has never observed racism in the hiring of an Indigenous person for a CMHA role. Unfortunately, this is not the case for all companies and federations. Leah concluded the conversation by informing us she is very pleased to hear that the friendship centre in Penticton has found partnership with a local non-profit organization to provide more indigenous programming. Opportunities like this allow reconciliation to grow stronger and bridge the gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Connection to Calls to Action Health: 19. CMHA is closing the gap between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people by bringing them together and treating everyone as equals. 22. The CMHA uses traditional healing practices and recognizes its benefits towards Indigenous people dealing with mental illness or substance abuse. My Conclusion I was pleasantly surprised to learn of the many ways the CMHA has progressed to following the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action. It was apparent to me that the CMHA recognizes the specific needs of the Indigenous members of the community that deal with substance abuse and generational trauma. The federation in Penticton even plays a large roll in the community, partnering with both the Penticton and Osoyoos Indian Bands. Suggestions I could make solely based off what I have discovered would be more focus on healing the past wounds that I am sure many Indigenous people at the housing units struggle with. The age of Residential Schools were some of the darkest times in Canadian history and I believe there should be more recognition that the mental illness and substance abuse problems are a direct result of the abuse passed down from time spent at these schools. The CMHA puts in a ton of effort to finding employment for its residences but I am sure more partnerships with Friendship Centres is an opportunity that would allow for an easier transition from the housing into their own new life.
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The amending of the Indian Act led to a mass migration of Indigenous people in Canada who could now leave their reserves without needing approval from an Indian agent. These people were in search of a better education, employment, clean drinking water, and were fleeing violence and trauma experienced at home. They wanted a new beginning.
Unfortunately, many of these people were carrying a heavy burden of generational trauma, as a result of violence and abuse back on the reserve, that was passed on through the years by the 80 000 residential school survivors (Reconciliation Canada). This trauma made it extremely difficult to start a new life and so many turned to drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism. Many of these people were unsuccessful in a traditional rehabilitation centre, and so Indigenous people faced this issue by founding the traditional rehabilitation centres that have became to be known as Aboriginal Friendship Centres. What is an Aboriginal Friendship Centre? Gathering places in towns and cities across BC that have evolved to non-profit service organizations that cater to Indigenous needs when moving away from reserves and into these cities. What is the goal? The main goal of the Friendship Centres is to improve life for Indigenous people through programs and support that maintain their sense of identity while utilizing traditional healing to treat trauma, depression, and addictions. The History of Friendship Centres An association was formed in 1982 called the BC Association of Indian Friendship Centres, which is now known as the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC). The purpose of the association was to aid negotiations with both the federal and provincial government and to unify members. The Success of the Program "Today, over 50% of status First Nations live off-reserve and in towns and cities" (Clarmont 9). This shows that the program has led to majority of status First Nations being able to move off reserve and begin a successful life in towns and cities across BC. However, the job is not finished. Although there is much better support options, many of the Indigenous people still deal with the systemic racism and societies perception of Indigenous people. This is a new problem for the migrating Indigenous because they don't experience this level of racism on reserve. RECONCILIATION Friendship Centres also act as a connection between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. They create awareness and acceptance of the issues facing Indigenous people. They also are easy to link with mainstream organizations and community associations with similar mandates of raising awareness. Connection to Calls to Action Health: 18. Friendship Centres acknowledge that the current state of Aboriginal Health is a result of Canadian History through specific programs that focus on residential school survivors and all Indigenous people affected by them. 19. Friendship Centres close the gap between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous healthiness by helping the members moving away from reservation's get used to a new life. 22. The Friendship Centres use traditional healing practices that are recognized as more successful than common rehabilitation centres found in BC. My Conclusion From what I have learned, I can conclude that Aboriginal Friendship Centres are a critical part of reconciliation in BC and supporting Indigenous people transition from life on the reservation to cities and towns. Through traditional healing and many programs that are focused on specific difficulties Indigenous people deal with, the Aboriginal Friendship Centres are the best available options for mental health support. The numerous Call to Action points that the Centres have adopted is yet another way they help with reconciliation. The only suggestion I have thought of would be to better advertise and promote the Friendship Centres as I don't think many non-Indigenous people know about them. As the knowledge of non-Indigenous people expand due to the Friendship Centres, the bridge between Indigenous and non-Indigenous will be easier to further develop. In conclusion, supporting Indigenous mental health across BC is something that benefits everyone across BC and Canada. |
Carson and JacobGrade 12 students at Princess Margaret Secondary |