by Matthew Harder | Apr 24, 2026 | Aboriginal, First Nations, Mental Health, Resources |
My name is Matthew Harder. My family is affiliated with the Peguis band in Manitoba, however, my grandmother was raised on the Hollow Water reserve in Manitoba and my mother’s family comes from Fiji. I currently live in Delta B.C. and I acknowledge the scəw̓aθən (Tsawwassen First Nations) and the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam First Nations), on whose shared, traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories we reside, learn, work, and gather.
Mental health is an important aspect of every person’s life. Our mental health journey is unique to each person. For indigenous people in Canada, their wellness is not only rooted in individual coping methods but may also include connections to culture, community, land and identity. For many Indigenous people, there is an awareness of inequities and racism experienced in the healthcare system. This experience can make accessing mental health support feel complicated, distant, or unsafe (Cooke & Shields 2024).
Understanding Indigenous wellness means understanding the impacts of intergenerational trauma. These lasting impacts can include ongoing impacts of colonialism, residential schools, forced displacement, and systemic inequities. The effects of colonization have had lasting effects with higher rates of anxiety and depression and higher rates of suicide compared to the rest of the population (Boksa et al., 2015).
Culturally Safe and Trauma‑Informed Care
The Truth and Reconciliation Council of Canada (TRC) has identified the need to address the inequities in Indigenous healthcare including mental health. One way this can be done is providing culturally safe and trauma informed care. Indigenous cultural safety in this context ensures that clinicians are working with people to ensure they feel respected, recognizing and addressing unfair treatment, acknowledging experiences and creating a safe environment that feels welcoming all while respecting Indigenous worldviews (Beaulieu et al., 2026). Trauma‑informed care means recognizing how past and present traumas can shape a person’s thoughts, behaviour, and their willingness to reach out for help (Northern Health, 2021).
Practical Supports and Resources in BC
We recognize that Truth and Reconciliation is only one step in providing safe and appropriate mental healthcare for Indigenous individuals.
Below are some resources that can help Indigenous people find culturally safe and trauma informed mental health support.
The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA): For those with status cards. They provide health and mental health services.
https://www.fnha.ca/
www.fnha.ca/Documents/FNHA-First-Nations-Health-Benefits-Mental-Health-Provider-List.pdf
KUU‑US Crisis Line Society: Provides crisis support to Indigenous people across BC
https://www.kuu-uscrisisline.com/
1-800-588-8717
Hope for Wellness Help Line: Offers a 24/7 mental health support line for Indigenous people across Canada.
https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/
1-855-242-3310
Fraser Health: Offers support for Indigenous mental health and wellness through counselling and referrals.
https://www.fraserhealth.ca/health-topics-a-to-z/indigenous-health/indigenous-mental-health-and-wellness
Surrey region 778-288-6043
Maple Ridge/Coquitlam 604-652-4610
Abbotsford/Mission 604-814-5601
Chilliwack 604-702-4860
Hope/Agassiz 604-860-3114
Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society: Substance use and trauma treatment centre in Duncan BC
https://www.tsowtunlelum.org/
250-390-3123
Indian Residential School Survivors Society: Counselling and support for individuals and communities.
https://www.irsss.ca/
1-800-721-006
Métis Crisis Line: 24/7 support phone line
https://www.mnbc.ca/work-programs/ministries/mental-health-harm-reduction
1-833-638-4722
Myself and the Alongside You family acknowledge the scəw̓aθən (Tsawwassen First Nations) and the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam First Nations), on whose shared, traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories we reside, learn, work, and gather.
Matthew is a Masters Intern here at Alongside You as he completes his education to become a Registered Clinical Counsellor. Please connect with us if you would like to book an intern counselling appointment with Matthew!
References
Beaulieu, E., Citron, S., Giroux, R., Laforme, C., Miners, A., Schrewe, B., & Sellers, E. (2026). Cultural safety in practice: Providing quality health care for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children and youth. Paediatrics & Child Health. https://doi.org/10.1093/pch/pxaf108
Boksa, P., Joober, R., & Kirmayer, L. J. (2015). Mental wellness in Canada’s Aboriginal communities: Striving toward reconciliation. Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience : JPN, 40(6), 363. https://doi.org/10.1503/jpn.150309
Cooke, M., & Shields, T. (2024). Anti-Indigenous racism in Canadian healthcare: A scoping review of the literature. International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 36(3). https://doi.org/10.1093/intqhc/mzae089
Northern Health Indigenous Health (2021). Orange Shirt Day – Learning About Trauma Informed Care. https://www.indigenoushealthnh.ca/news/orange-shirt-day-learning-about-trauma-informed-care
by Meg Neufeld | Sep 28, 2023 | Aboriginal, Abuse, Children, First Nations, In The Community, Racism, Trauma
On September 30th, 2023, Canada observes National Truth and Reconciliation Day, a day dedicated to honouring the lives of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children who endured the devastating legacy of residential schools. This day is symbolized by the Orange Shirt, signifying hope and a commitment to a better future. To promote awareness and reconciliation, both individuals and organizations can take meaningful steps. Here are seven ways to integrate awareness into your workplace.
- Learn Together: Gather your team to learn about Indigenous history in Canada and the Residential School System. There are numerous resources available, such as books like “First Nations 101” by Lynda Gray and podcasts like Orange Shirt Day with Vanessa Mitchell, Tracy Mooney, and Jody Wagner. Consider taking online courses, like the one offered by the University of Alberta on Indigenous People in Canada.
- Acknowledge the Territory: Start correspondence and meetings by acknowledging the traditional territories on which you live and work. This simple act recognizes the Indigenous peoples who have stewarded these lands for generations. Visit educational institutes like The Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Center at the University of British Columbia for deeper insights.
- Attend Reconciliation Events: Participate as a team in local National Truth and Reconciliation events, whether in person or virtually. These events offer opportunities for education, reflection, and solidarity. For instance, Tsawwassen First Nation is hosting a “Walk for Truth and Reconciliation” on September 30th from 9:45am-12:00pm beginning at their Rec Center.
- Support Indigenous Businesses: Promote reconciliation by supporting local First Nations businesses, artists, and products. Look for Indigenous-owned businesses in your area and purchase their products or services. For example, Angela’s Boutique in Ladner, BC sells Orange Shirts, while Salish Beading Beauties creates beautiful beaded jewelry.
- Hire a First Nations Consultant: Consider hiring a First Nations consultant to educate your organization. Businesses like Hummingbird Rising, founded by Musqueam member Rhiannon Bennett and adult educator Andrea Hilder, who aim to foster understanding and compassion among Non-Indigenous Canadians.
- Create Visible Sentiments: Make your sentiments visible by sharing space with others in your community. Take part in a shoe collection or interactive activities that allow people to express condolences and prayers. These gestures demonstrate sincere respect and compassion for Indigenous communities. A collective voice of sincere respect is powerful and fosters resilience.
In 2022, Erin Alger organized an event at The Delta Municipal Hall. Shoes were collected representing children who were lost and subsequently donated, a collection of books and materials were available to view and other community members and I facilitated an interactive project, allowing visitors to write uplifting messages on sticky notes. These boards were gifted to the sc̓əwaθən məsteyəx (Tsawwassen First Nations) and the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), whose shared, traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories we reside, in an effort to offer a collective voice of sincere respect and compassion and to acknowledge the amazing resilience of their communities).
- Embrace Creative Activities: Foster team unity through creative activities that promote reflection and understanding. For example, we encouraged our staff to engage in symbolic projects like weaving yarn through a heart-shaped metal wire wall fixture, honouring the Coast Salish weaving tradition. This allows for reflection and reverence within your workplace.
In the banner photo of this article you’ll see that in 2022, we invited our team to paint dots (using a bingo dotter) representing the thousands of children who never returned from residential schools, and the survivors. Completed over several days and was a powerful visual aid of loss. Despite this loss, we marvel at the courage and resilience First Nations, Inuit and Métis People today!
Incorporating awareness and reconciliation efforts into the workplace is a vital step towards healing and understanding. As we remember the children who never returned from residential schools and honor the resilience of Indigenous Peoples, let us work together to create a workplace that is inclusive, compassionate, and dedicated to the belief that every child matters.
As we continue to educate ourselves, and encourage our staff to participate meaningfully in National Truth and Reconciliation Day, our offices will be closed on Monday, October 2nd, 2023 in order to observe the stat holiday. We hope this weekend is a meaningful one for the community, and honouring to our First Nations, Inuit, and Métis neighbours.
