History was made in 2024 after the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, the Archdiocese of Vancouver and the Diocese of Kamloops came together to put pen to paper and create the Sacred Covenant. The Covenant’s purpose is to meet the demand for communities looking for answers about the fates of children who attended residential schools. This moment marked a milestone in the journey towards reconciliation, truth and healing between three groups that have a complex and contentious past.

Since the introduction of colonialism in Canada, Indigenous experiences have been rooted in systemic policies that sought cultural erasure, leading to lasting intergenerational trauma. The Peepeekisis First Nation in Saskatchewan have resisted colonial efforts to assimilate their people for generations.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Those first steps towards reconciliation begin with compassion and a willingness to understand the Indigenous experience. For non-Indigenous peoples it can be difficult to find spaces with opportunities to self-educate, listen, learn and reflect on the roles one can play in reconciliation. Bringing these two groups together to honour Indigenous culture and provide spaces where people of all backgrounds can witness Indigenous traditions flourish, is critical.

Reconciliation is a pathway all must walk together, no matter the starting point, to heal old hurts, introduce hope and encourage understanding and empathy. This road, rooted in healing and reflection, is focused on the rebuilding of bridges between Indigenous Peoples and the Church, who have historically had a harmful relationship. Healing begins with spiritual renewal, connection, honouring of sacred traditions and the affirmation of Indigenous identity and faith.

It’s been eight years since British Columbia declared a public health emergency to address the opioid overdose crisis. In that time, overdose deaths have tragically continued to rise, hitting marginalized communities hardest, including many Indigenous Peoples. Deep-rooted systemic racism and long-standing biases have made it harder for those who need help most to actually get the care and support they deserve.

Indigenous cultures, traditions, languages, and arts are vibrant, diverse, and rooted in deep history. Yet colonization has long distorted how Indigenous Peoples are seen, often reducing them to stereotypes or symbols of tragedy. As Dr. Cindy Blackstock has famously said, “Indigenous Peoples are only thought about when they are drumming, dancing, drunk, or dead.” This is not the story Indigenous communities have chosen for themselves.