Each week, the Indigenous Health department highlights good news stories from the North and from across the country.
Federal government agrees to share residential school records
The federal government has announced a new Memorandum of Agreement with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) that will see the federal government share thousands of records from residential schools across Canada. These soon-to-be released records had been previously retained by the federal government.
In a January 20, 2022 announcement Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller stated that the agreement outlines how and when the government will send the historical documents to the NCTR which will both preserve these records and make them available to residential school Survivors.
NCTR executive director, Stephanie Scott, says that the transfer of these records will help to fully reveal how the federally funded, church-run residential school system was administered and will also provide a clearer picture of what all children who attended residential schools experienced.
Watch the full news story on YouTube.
Raptors creative mentorship program selects Kyana Kingbird
Kyana Kingbird has been chosen for a creative mentorship program with the Toronto Raptors.
Now in its second year, the NBA team's Welcome Toronto creators program aims to spotlight emerging Black, Indigenous, non-binary, female or artists of colour, motivate youth, and to enhance basketball’s influence in Canada.
Kingbird, who is Mi'kmaw and Ojibway, is a fancy shawl dancer from Esgenoôpetitj (Burnt Church) First Nation in New Brunswick. One of three finalists chosen out of 400 applicants, Kingbird has been a dancer since she was very young.
Each artist will have the opportunity to work with the Toronto Raptors' creative resources team, and showcase their talents on the team's social media platforms and during a broadcast game.
Read the full story from CBC Indigenous.
Letitia Pokiak, from Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T., wins prestigious academic award
Letitia Pokiak recently won a prestigious award from the Western Association of Graduate Schools for her graduate work. The Western Association of Graduate Schools represents all graduate schools in western Canada, 14 U.S. states and western Mexico.
Pokiak, who completed her master's degree in Anthropology at the University of Victoria, studied how the lack of consultation with Indigenous groups affects their well-being.
Her thesis entitled, Meaningful Consultation, Meaningful Participants and Meaning Making: Inuvialuit Perspectives on the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline and the Climate Crisis also studies how similar dynamics have played out in relation to the climate crisis.
Read the full story from CBC North.
New collaborative resource from the National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health (NCCIH) and Aqqiumavvik Society
The NCCIH and Aqqiumavvik Society have launched a new resource for Inuit parents and caregivers of young children up to 6 years of age.
The resource consists of a series of four booklets. The booklets are based on Inuit teachings outlined in inunnguiniq, or making capable human beings.
Each of the four booklets is grounded in Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (Inuit traditional knowledge), and the cultural teachings, expectations, and practices around healthy pregnancy, baby’s best start and child rearing. The resources also provide information to help parents in early childhood learning and healthy development with the goal of strengthening Inuit families and communities.
Visit the NCCIH to access this resource and more.
New animated video highlights respecting traditional tobacco and quitting commercial tobacco
First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) has launched an animated video that may help you consider quitting commercial tobacco and learning more about respecting tobacco.
FNHA partnered with Indigenous Story Studio and developed the video guidance from Elders at Tsow-Tun-Le-Lum Society and youth from across British Columbia. This video highlights important teachings around culture, sacred tobacco, and wellness.
Watch the video today and learn more on FNHA's website!