Exploring Mental Wellness Services: By and For Indigenous Peoples in British Columbia, Canada

Nikki-Rose Hunter-Porter

Impact

  • From a human-rights and strength-based perspective, this research elevated the voices of the St’uxwstews te Secwépemc Peoples to counter the impact of colonization on mental health and wellness systems of care.

  • The findings emphasized the critical need for addressing Indigenous-specific racism and advancing culturally safe and trauma-informed care within rural First Nations communities.

  • Given the limited research informing mental health and wellness care in rural First Nations communities, this study provides crucial knowledge to address this gap.

  • Nikki-Rose was awarded the Michael Smith Health Research BC Reach Program award to support knowledge translation activities working alongside St’uxwstews te Secwépemc.

  • British Columbia

  • Studentship

  • Thompson River’s University

  • BC Interior Health

  • Mitacs

  • 2020-2021

  • Indigenous Community Mental Health

  • Indigenous Community

About the Project

Responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action (2015) and the In Plain Sight report (2021), this research aimed to determine the social, cultural, and systemic factors influencing the delivery of mental health and wellness services with First Nations Peoples of St’uxwstews te Secwépemc, Bonaparte First Nations, a rural community within the southern interior region of British Columbia, Canada. The research is grounded in the strengths of St’uxwstews Peoples, while acknowledging the barriers and challenges that exist within mental health and wellness systems of care.

Methodology

Grounded in Indigenous Research Methodologies, the research methods were centered within a Secwépemc methodological approach that honored and upheld Secwépemc laws, values, beliefs, and traditions. Drawing from Secwépemc oral traditions and Knowledge generation, the research embedded Skú7pecen re Stseptékwlls (The Story of Porcupine) throughout the methodology, weaving storywork into the research process. Knowledge gathering methods, such as sharing circle and conversational style interviews, were used to speak to ten (10) St’uxwstews community members and five (5) mental health professionals about their experience accessing and providing mental wellness care.

Findings

  • Throughout the Knowledge gathering, four key themes emerged:

    • Strengths of community;

    • Living through colonization;

    • Truth-telling in mental health and wellness experiences; and

    • The People’s Pathway, a decolonizing framework of calls to action rooted in First Nations self-determination.

  • The Knowledges shared illustrated the strength and perseverance of the St’uxwstews Peoples, deeply rooted in their land, culture, language, history, and community.

  • Truth-telling, both among St’uxwstews community members and mental health professionals, facilitated a transformative shift away from shame and fear, fostering courage and connection.

Resources Created

  • Knowledge Translation initiatives and activities are currently underway, and this involves publications, reports, St’uxwstews community-based wellness model and community-led mental health and wellness education resources.