For decades the land has stood silent. Homes abandoned, landmarks forgotten and a bustling community now desolate. The Crooked Lake Métis Settlement near Marieval, Saskatchewan was once a vibrant place. But generations of hardships, including loss of land, systemic trauma, displacement inflicted by day schools, and reduced access to necessary resources has forced people to leave behind their ancestral community.
Now more than ever, events that bring people together in the spirit of unity and healing are deeply needed. Divisions between communities and cultural understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples has led to generations of tension and mistrust. To help heal these relationships, Indigenous leaders and communities are welcoming more outsiders into celebrations to learn about their traditions, history and to promote reconciliation.
The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario (CDSBEO) oversees 39 elementary schools and serves eight counties throughout urban and rural areas of Ontario. Despite the sizeable area the CDSBEO covers, many rural schools still struggle to connect with Indigenous communities, reach youth and provide culturally grounded education.
Mental health is as equally important as physical health for the spirit. Unfortunately, today’s climate has seen a rise in mental health challenges among youth due to factors such as emotional dysregulation, conflict in the home, anxiety and more. Young Indigenous Peoples’ issues are often compounded by systemic barriers such as homelessness, intergenerational trauma and access to basic supports.
Finding peace and direction in today’s world is challenging. While technology has connected us more than ever before, these connections are often superficial and can lead to many feeling lost. Interconnection between one another and the land is a core pillar of Indigenous identity.
From the communities that shape us to the families that guide us, our sense of identity is formed from our immediate surroundings. For Indigenous youth, these formative pillars have faced cultural erosion. The loss of language, oral history and traditional roles, particularly those of Clan Mothers, has left many disconnected from their identity.
For decades the land has stood silent. Homes abandoned, landmarks forgotten and a bustling community now desolate. The Crooked Lake Métis Settlement near Marieval, Saskatchewan was once a vibrant place. But generations of hardships, including loss of land, systemic trauma, displacement inflicted by day schools, and reduced access to necessary resources has forced people to leave behind their ancestral community.
Forced into silence for generations, Indigenous Peoples were denied the right to speak traditional languages, pass down oral history and celebrate cultural practices. This systemic oppression failed in its purpose and the spirits of Indigenous Peoples remained resilient, despite the overwhelming odds against them. To this day, these warrior spirits have risen to reclaim their Indigeneity, rebuild connections to community and culture and to revitalize traditional practices.
Language, storytelling, traditional foods and shared culture connect Indigenous Peoples to their ancestors. Passed down from generation to generation, Indigenous traditions have persevered despite the systemic challenges their peoples have faced. For many, the path to healing begins by creating spaces where trauma can be acknowledged, resilience can be celebrated and knowledge can be shared.
Healing isn’t a direct path. It requires twists and turns, bends and breaks, support catered to individual needs, patience and empathy. For Indigenous Peoples with intergenerational trauma due to ongoing systemic factors, access to diverse support routed in cultural, trauma-informed care is essential.
