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.

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.

The Métis people are a unique Indigenous group formed from a blend of cultures, traditions and heritages. Their spoken language, Michif, is as equally distinct as its peoples. However, like many hundreds of other Indigenous languages, it is at risk of being lost – taking with it a vital connection to identity, history and culture. That is why Michif is being added to the national push for revitalization within communities, with younger generations acting as key pillars in its preservation.

Every child deserves an engaging, stimulating and supportive learning environment. In fact, studies show that students not reading at grade level by Grade 3 are four times more likely not to graduate high school. Indigenous children are much more at risk of falling into this statistic than any other demographic due to a myriad of factors, including the intergenerational impacts of residential schools, discrimination within classrooms, limited or no access to school and more.

Shared language is a key part of identity and self-belonging. For many Indigenous cultures, these ancient traditional spoken words are at risk of being lost with older generations. With many middle-aged generations culturally disconnected due to the residential school system, eyes instead are turning to the youngest in communities to break the cycle of intergenerational trauma and revitalize culture and connectedness to one another and the land.

Considered a cultural mosaic woven together by diverse cultures from around the world, the ethos of Canada has been founded on inclusion, openness and respect. Newcomers arrive with the hope that no matter where they come from, they will be welcomed. However, Indigenous cultures shaped these lands long before settlers arrived, whose traditions survived despite the impacts of colonization. Integrating Indigenous knowledge with educational practices for new Canadians is key in working towards reconciliation right from an individual’s first steps onto this land.