Each week, the Indigenous Health department highlights good news stories from the North and from across the country.
A conversation about the overdose crisis “From the Art”
The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and the BC Ministry of Health have partnered to support a virtual art exhibit entitled From the Art featuring Indigenous artwork expressing the personal impacts of the toxic drug crisis. There are plans for the exhibit to move to an in-person format at the Vancouver Art Gallery in the spring of 2022.The purpose of the exhibit is to foster conversations about substance use and the associated stigma while featuring lived experiences of the artists showcased in this venue.
Visit FNHA’s website to learn more about From the Art and to view works from the collection.
Sturgeon Lake First Nation celebrates first traditional birth in decades
Indigenous mothers-to-be from Sturgeon Lake First Nation in central Saskatchewan, now have the option to choose to have a traditional birthing experience. Sturgeon Lake First Nation is one of three First Nation communities participating in a pilot to bring traditional birth practices back.
In February 2022 a baby boy was welcomed into the community in ceremony and with the First Nation traditional birth practices top of mind. In addition, a concept design of a new birthing facility will be unveiled in March with construction to begin fall 2022. Shirley Bighead, director of the Sturgeon Lake First Nation Health Centre said, "We are rebuilding our nation, is actually what we are doing, because when we have healthy babies, healthy children, then we will have a healthy community".
Read about how this community is reclaiming traditions passed down through generations. CBC Saskatchewan.
Portrait exhibition celebrates, hopes to rewrite Indigenous history
KC Adams is a Winnipeg-based Cree photographer using her art to showcase Indigenous resilience. Her newest exhibit, featuring Indigenous children aged five to 16, is called GIIYAABI OMAA NINDAYAAMIN (WE ARE STILL HERE) and can be viewed through the Portrait Gallery of Canada website.
Her inspiration stems from Canada Day 2021 when flags were flown at half-mast to honour the discovery of 215 unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School site. Adams’ photos were a way of honouring the past and the present. In an interview with CBC, Adams noted, "We have the responsibility to remember, to learn about residential schools, and how do we move forward in a good way?"
Read the full article and view exhibition pieces from CBC Ottawa.
Métis Nation British Columbia launches Métis child care benefit
Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) has announced that Métis families in B.C will now have access to additional funding to help mitigate the increasing costs of child care.
The new Métis Child Care Benefit (MCCB) offers additional funding for children to attend quality child care programs within their community.
“Ensuring that our Métis children and families have access to quality child care is vitally important to our Nation,” says Debra Fisher, MNBC Minister of Education. “Our Ministry team will be available to help bridge the gaps to remove barriers and increase accessibility to child care for Métis families and children.”
Learn more about this new program and how to register on MNBC’s website.