pihtikwê - Visits with First Nations Psychologists

Episode 9: Therapy Begins and Ends with Ceremony with Dr. Ethsi Stewart

We're thrilled to have a genuine groundbreaker in the world of First Nations Psychology joining us on pihtikwe. Dr Ethsi Stewart is a proud member of the Yellowknife Dene First Nation and a registered psychologist.  She is Director of the Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health, and the first Indigenous full Professor at the University of Toronto, in the Department of Social and Behaviour Health Sciences at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health.  Her research and teaching interests include Indigenous mental health and healing in psychology and Indigenous ethics and research methodologies. She is also the former Chair of the Aboriginal Section of the Canadian Psychology Association and she is committed to advancing Indigenous healing issues through the disciplines of health and psychology. Our Hosts:  Dr. Alanaise Ferguson is a member of the Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation and a Registered Psychologist in the Province of BC. She holds an academic appointment at the University of British Columbia Okanagan in Syilx Territory. She has trained and clinically supervised hundreds of Counseling Psychology students over the past 9 years in her academic roles at Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia.   Dr. Holly Graham is a member of the Thunderchild First Nation in Saskatchewan. She holds an academic appointment at the University of Saskatchewan. She also has an Indigenous Research Chair in Nursing. She has worked as a Registered Nurse in northern communities and is a Registered Doctoral Psychologist.  Our Purpose: The purpose of our podcast series is to mobilize and share Indigenous Knowledge related to trauma repair, recovery from addictions, community survivance, and care across Indigenous communities in Canada.  Our goal is to provide listeners with access to conversations about the lived experiences of First Nations psychologists and leaders in the mental wellness field. We will discuss how that relates to challenges and successes in navigating and working within systems of care, as well as strength-based and cultural approaches to healing for Indigenous people.  The podcast episodes will discuss topics related to:  1) Strength-based approaches to care   2) Challenges and successes in the field   3) Personal perspectives and experiences; and   4) Analysis of the systems of care   This podcast series is developed by the Healing from Trauma and Reducing Addictions group, part of the Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (ON NEIHR) Program. Situated in 10 sites across Ontario, ON NEIHR is demonstrating how health systems should move away from Western biomedical treatment of Indigenous medical illness to holistic, culturally based interventions instead. This program is funded by the Government of Canada, through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). This group is led by Dr. Holly Graham (University of Saskatchewan), Dr. Brenda Restoule (First Peoples Wellness Circle), and Dr. Alanaise Ferguson (University of British Columbia-Okanagan). pihtikwê is produced by David McGuffin of Explore Podcast Productions. Assistant Producer: Graham McGuffin. Our theme music is Kâkike, written and performed by Fawn Wood, an award winning Cree-Salish musician and songwriter. You can learn more about her music at fawnwood.ca  [%C2%A0fawnwood.ca%C2%A0]

Episode 8: Neurodecolonization and Indigenous Mindfulness with Dr. Michael Yellow Bird

Holly and Brenda are thrilled to welcome Dr. Michael Yellow Bird as our guest on this episode of pihtikwe. He is a proud member of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation in North Dakota, and he is a Professor at the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Manitoba. There his research focuses on the effects of colonization and methods of decolonization, ancestral health, intermittent fasting, Indigenous mindfulness and the cultural significance of Rez dogs. He is also the founder, director, and principal investigator of The Centre for Mindful Decolonization and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba.  Along with his many academic achievements, he is also the author of a number of acclaimed books including his most recent: "Decolonizing Pathways to Integrative Healing in Social Work." Our Hosts:  Dr. Brenda Restoule is an Anishinabe-kwe and member of Dokis First Nation in the Robinson Huron Treaty. She is a Registered Clinical Psychologist in Ontario who works in First Nation communities and also leads the First Peoples Wellness Circle, an Indigenous led national not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to raising the profile of Indigenous mental wellness using Indigenous Knowledge and evidence. Dr. Holly Graham is a member of the Thunderchild First Nation in Saskatchewan. She holds an academic appointment at the University of Saskatchewan. She also has an Indigenous Research Chair in Nursing. She has worked as a Registered Nurse in northern communities and is a Registered Doctoral Psychologist.  Our Purpose: The purpose of our podcast series is to mobilize and share Indigenous Knowledge related to trauma repair, recovery from addictions, community survivance, and care across Indigenous communities in Canada.  Our goal is to provide listeners with access to conversations about the lived experiences of First Nations psychologists and leaders in the mental wellness field. We will discuss how that relates to challenges and successes in navigating and working within systems of care, as well as strength-based and cultural approaches to healing for Indigenous people.  The podcast episodes will discuss topics related to:  1) Strength-based approaches to care   2) Challenges and successes in the field   3) Personal perspectives and experiences; and   4) Analysis of the systems of care   This podcast series is developed by the Healing from Trauma and Reducing Addictions group, part of the Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (ON NEIHR) Program. Situated in 10 sites across Ontario, ON NEIHR is demonstrating how health systems should move away from Western biomedical treatment of Indigenous medical illness to holistic, culturally based interventions instead (which include sacred aspects of healing: physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental dimensions). This program is funded by the Government of Canada, through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). This group is led by Dr. Holly Graham (University of Saskatchewan), Dr. Brenda Restoule (First Peoples Wellness Circle), and Dr. Alanaise Ferguson (University of British Columbia-Okanagan). This project aims to centre the voices of Indigenous experts and leaders working in the mental wellness field to promote collective learning and mobilize knowledge to support Indigenous well-being.  pihtikwê is produced by David McGuffin of Explore Podcast Productions. Assistant Producer: Graham McGuffin. Our theme music is Kâkike, written and performed by Fawn Wood, an award winning Cree-Salish musician and songwriter. You can learn more about her music at fawnwood.ca [http://fawnwood.ca/]

Episode 7: Healing Through Culture. Dr. Amy Bombay on Intergenerational Trauma

Dr. Holly Graham and Dr. Alanaise Ferguson are happy to welcome Dr. Amy Bombay to pihtikwê - Visits with First Nations Psychologists. Amy’s work has seen her exploring the relationships between intergenerational and personal experiences of trauma and cultural identity in predicting mental health outcomes among Indigenous peoples in Canada. Her research exploring the ways which Indian Residential School experiences are transmitted across generations has garnered extensive media interest and has been influential in affecting policy and practice related to Indigenous health. Amy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and the School of Nursing at Dalhousie University. She is a proud member of Rainy River First Nations and completed her MSc and PhD in Psychology and Neuroscience. Our Hosts:  Dr Holly Graham is a member of the Thunderchild First Nation in Saskatchewan. She holds an academic appointment at the University of Saskatchewan. She also has an Indigenous Research Chair in Nursing. She has worked as a Registered Nurse in northern communities and is a Registered Doctoral Psychologist.  Our Purpose: The purpose of our podcast series is to mobilize and share Indigenous Knowledge related to trauma repair, recovery from addictions, community survivance, and care across Indigenous communities in Canada.  Our goal is to provide listeners with access to conversations about the lived experiences of First Nations psychologists and leaders in the mental wellness field. We will discuss how that relates to challenges and successes in navigating and working within systems of care, as well as strength-based and cultural approaches to healing for Indigenous people.  The podcast episodes will discuss topics related to:  1) Strength-based approaches to care   2) Challenges and successes in the field   3) Personal perspectives and experiences; and   4) Analysis of the systems of care   This podcast series is developed by the Healing from Trauma and Reducing Addictions group, part of the Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (ON NEIHR) Program. Situated in 10 sites across Ontario, ON NEIHR is demonstrating how health systems should move away from Western biomedical treatment of Indigenous medical illness to holistic, culturally based interventions instead (which include sacred aspects of healing: physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental dimensions). This program is funded by the Government of Canada, through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). This group is led by Dr. Holly Graham (University of Saskatchewan), Dr. Brenda Restoule (First Peoples Wellness Circle), and Dr. Alanaise Ferguson (University of British Columbia-Okanagan). This project aims to centre the voices of Indigenous experts and leaders working in the mental wellness field to promote collective learning and mobilize knowledge to support Indigenous well-being.  pihtikwê is produced by David McGuffin of Explore Podcast Productions. Graham McGuffin - production assistant. Our theme music is Kâkike, written and performed by Fawn Wood, an award winning Cree-Salish musician and songwriter. You can learn more about her music at fawnwood.ca [http://fawnwood.ca/]

Episode 6: Know Who You Are. Know Where you Come From. with Dr. Ed Connors and John Rice

On episode 6 of pihtikwê - Visits with First Nations Psychologists, Dr. Holly Graham and Dr. Brenda Restoule are happy to welcome Dr. Ed Connors and John Rice. They are co-founders of the Feather Carriers Leadership for Life Program which speaks to suicide prevention, intervention and postvention. Dr. Connors is a psychologist of Mohawk and Irish descent who has worked with First Nations communities across Canada since 1982. Dr Connors most recent work has involved development of Indigenous Life Promotion projects. Through his career Dr. Connors has worked with Elders and apprenticed in traditional First Nations approaches to healing. John Rice, Zahgausgai/Mukwa Dodem, is an Ojibwe/Anishinabe-ninni from Wasauksing First Nation near Parry Sound, Ontario and a member of the Three Fires Midewiwin Society. John Rice is a lifelong student of the Miikaans Teaching. which speaks to the spirit’s journey to life, through life and its return to the spirit world. Our Hosts:  Dr Brenda Restoule is an Anishinabe-kwe and member of Dokis First Nation in the Robinson Huron Treaty. She is a Registered Clinical Psychologist in Ontario who works in First Nation communities and also leads the First Peoples Wellness Circle, an Indigenous led national not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to raising the profile of Indigenous mental wellness using Indigenous Knowledge and evidence. Dr Holly Graham is a member of the Thunderchild First Nation in Saskatchewan. She holds an academic appointment at the University of Saskatchewan. She also has an Indigenous Research Chair in Nursing. She has worked as a Registered Nurse in northern communities and is a Registered Doctoral Psychologist.  Our Purpose: The purpose of our podcast series is to mobilize and share Indigenous Knowledge related to trauma repair, recovery from addictions, community survivance, and care across Indigenous communities in Canada.  Our goal is to provide listeners with access to conversations about the lived experiences of First Nations psychologists and leaders in the mental wellness field. We will discuss how that relates to challenges and successes in navigating and working within systems of care, as well as strength-based and cultural approaches to healing for Indigenous people.  The podcast episodes will discuss topics related to:  1) Strength-based approaches to care   2) Challenges and successes in the field   3) Personal perspectives and experiences; and   4) Analysis of the systems of care   This podcast series is developed by the Healing from Trauma and Reducing Addictions group, part of the Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research   (ON NEIHR) Program. Situated in 10 sites across Ontario, ON NEIHR is demonstrating how health systems should move away from Western biomedical treatment of Indigenous medical illness to holistic, culturally based interventions instead (which include sacred aspects of healing: physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental dimensions). This program is funded by the Government of Canada, through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). This group is led by Dr. Holly Graham (University of Saskatchewan), Dr. Brenda Restoule (First Peoples Wellness Circle), and Dr. Alanaise Ferguson (University of British Columbia-Okanagan). This project aims to centre the voices of Indigenous experts and leaders working in the mental wellness field to promote collective learning and mobilize knowledge to support Indigenous well-being.  pihtikwê is produced by David McGuffin of Explore Podcast Productions. Our theme music is Kâkike, written and performed by Fawn Wood, an award winning Cree-Salish musician and songwriter. You can learn more about her music at fawnwood.ca [http://fawnwood.ca/]

Episode 5: Success Means Prioritizing What Communities Want with Dr. Chris Mushquash

Today on pihtikwê - Visits with First Nations Psychologists, our guest is Dr. Chris Mushquash. Our hosts Dr. Brenda Restoule and Dr. Alanaise Ferguson engage in a lively and thoughtful conversation with Dr. Mushquash about his journey into psychology, the role spirituality plays in his practice, ways to overcome colonial disruption of traditional healing practices, how to provide positive healing environments for young people where and when they need it, how investing in children creates significant improvements in communities and much more. Dr. Mushquash is a proud member of the Pays Plat Ojibway First Nation on the North Shore of Lake Superior. He is a Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Mental Health and Addiction, and Professor in the Department of Psychology at Lakehead University and the Division of Human Sciences at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine University.  Dr. Mushquash is also a registered clinical psychologist providing assessment, intervention, and consultation services for First Nations children, adolescents, and adults at Dilico Anishinabek Family Care. He is currently the chair of the Institute Advisory Board for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health. In 2017, Dr. Mushquash was inducted in the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.   Dr. Alanaise Ferguson is a member of the Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation and a Registered Psychologist in the Province of BC. She holds an academic appointment at the University of British Columbia Okanagan in Syilx Territory. She has trained and clinically supervised hundreds of Counseling Psychology students over the past 9 years in her academic roles at Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia.   Dr. Brenda Restoule is an Anishinabe-kwe and member of Dokis First Nation in the Robinson Huron Treaty. She is a Registered Clinical Psychologist in Ontario who works in First Nation communities and also leads the First Peoples Wellness Circle, an Indigenous led national not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to raising the profile of Indigenous mental wellness using Indigenous Knowledge and evidence. The purpose of our podcast series is to mobilize and share Indigenous Knowledge related to trauma repair, recovery from addictions, community survivance, and care across Indigenous communities in Canada.  Our goal is to provide listeners with access to conversations about the lived experiences of First Nations psychologists and leaders in the mental wellness field. We will discuss how that relates to challenges and successes in navigating and working within systems of care, as well as strength-based and cultural approaches to healing for Indigenous people. The podcast episodes will discuss topics related to: 1) Strength-based approaches to care  2) Challenges and successes in the field  3) Personal perspectives and experiences; and  4) Analysis of the systems of care  This podcast series is developed by the Healing from Trauma and Reducing Addictions group, part of the Ontario Network Environment for Aboriginal Health Research (ON NEIHR) Program. Situated in 10 sites across Ontario, ON NEIHR is demonstrating how health systems should move away from Western biomedical treatment of Indigenous medical illness to holistic, culturally based interventions instead (which include sacred aspects of healing: physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental dimensions). This program is funded by the Government of Canada, through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). This group is led by Dr. Holly Graham, Dr. Brenda Restoule and Dr. Alanaise Ferguson. pihtikwê is produced by David McGuffin of Explore Podcast Productions. Our theme music is Kâkike, written and performed by Fawn Wood, an award winning Cree-Salish musician and songwriter. You can learn more about her music at fawnwood.ca [http://fawnwood.ca/]