Indigenous Approaches to Wellness: A Response to the Covid-19 Mental Health Crisis in Indigenous Communities

Stephanie Tipple

Impact

  • The cultural programming has been continued to provide youth with traditional teachings and to foster strong relationships with the Elders and the community to further influence and strengthen the identity, community support and mental well-being of youth.

  • A cultural committee was established to offer seasonal programming on a monthly seasonal basis to coincide the program’s teachings with the traditional teachings associated with each season in hopes to inspire other communities to share knowledge and connect with their Indigenous roots.

  • Alberta

  • Studentship

  • University of Calgary

  • Âsokêwin Friendship Centre

  • Mitacs, Canadian Women’s Foundation

  • 2021-2022

  • Indigenous Community Mental Health

  • Youth (aged 12-18), Indigenous Community

About the Project

This project entailed working closely with the O’Chiese First Nation community to devise and implement community-based cultural wellness programs and track youth experiences to address mental health and wellness within the Indigenous communities in and around Rocky Mountain House Alberta.

Methodology

The researcher worked with two community Elders (Kihtehayak) and two community stakeholders (leaders and knowledge users) to organize and implement a 6-day hunting and harvesting camp for Indigenous youth to support their wellbeing and identity. Six youths provided feedback on the cultural wellness programs, which entailed participating in different activities such as setting up tipis, harvesting wild game, drying meat and engaging in talking circles with other youth and Elders.

Findings

  • The program strengthened Indigenous identity of youth through increased connection to and education about their culture through different activities taught by the Elders.

  • Youth participants highlighted that the camp also strengthened relationships between family members, friends and community as a collective. The participants understood the importance of support systems in ensuring good mental health and well-being.

Project Outreach

This project in Alberta worked with Indigenous youth to strengthen their cultural identity and mental well-being through a 6-day camp. The program improved connections to their culture, enhanced relationships, and highlighted the importance of support systems for mental health. It was exclusively focused on serving the O'Chiese and Sunchild First Nations communities in Alberta.

Resources Created

  • 1 presentation

  • 1 community report