Welcome to pihtikwê!

In this first episode our three hosts, 

Dr. Brenda Restoule (First Peoples Wellness Circle), Dr. Holly Graham (University of Saskatchewan), and Dr. Alanaise Ferguson (University of British Columbia-Okanagan) talk about their vision for this podcast and their journeys into the world of psychology and mental health and wellness.

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 Nation 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, and 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 system/s of care

This podcast series is developed by the Healing from Trauma and Reducing Addictions group, part of the Ontario Network Environments 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. Brenda Restoule (First Peoples Wellness Circle), Dr. Holly Graham (University of Saskatchewan), 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. The central theme in this work is healing from trauma and reducing

addictions. Indigenous psychologists and leaders in the mental wellness field will share their stories, knowledge, and lived experiences.

pihtikwe is produced by David McGuffin of Explore Podcast Productions.

Our theme music is Kâkike, written and performed by Fawn Wood, a Cree-Salish musician and songwriter.