Len Pierre Consulting
An ideal system for youth includes “all my relations”. Indigenous peoples from the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux territories share traditional teachings on this concept and its implications for systemic transformation. We approach this work from a holistic, interconnected, balanced perspective that aligns with Indigenous Storywork Principles (Archibald, 2008), collective ethics (Reynolds, 2021), and co-creates next steps by the inclusion of a two eyed seeing (Marshall, 2017) framework. Our systems are deeply embedded in colonial epistemologies and require decolonization efforts to eleate voices of the oppressed. We bring with us lived experience of adversity, resilience, allyship and welcome dialogue on systems change, mental health and substance use, and its relationship with areas such as: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Truth and Reconciliation Commission, In-Plain Sight report (Turpel-Lafond, 2020), and the ongoing recovery of remains of Indigenous children.
Presenters
Jordan White
Jordan is a proud Métis citizen who uses the teachings of the Métis flag as one reference point during keynotes, educational sessions, presentations, and conversations on decolonizing systems and structures. He brings with him cultural humility, wisdom of ‘all my relations’, an appreciation of shared leadership, as well as a focus on equity and justice. Jordan (MA, RCC) has completed his Masters in counselling, works as a concurrent disorders clinician, is part of the provincial education committee with the British Columbia Association of Clinician Counsellors, and during 2021 has co-presented at places such as: BC Children’s Hospital, Taos Institute, University of British Columbia’s ‘Let’s Talk Overdose’ conference, and the international Grief and Bereavement Conference in Singapore.
Len Pierre
Len Pierre is Coast Salish from Katzie (kate-zee) First Nation. Len is an educator, consultant, TEDx Speaker, social activist, traditional knowledge keeper, and cultural practitioner. He is in the final stages of his Master of Education degree from Simon Fraser University focusing on curriculum and instructional design. His experience includes Indigenous education and program leadership from various health organizations including the First Nations Health Authority, Fraser Health Authority, and the Canadian Centre for Mental Health and Addiction. As an agent for change, Len leads and advises for systemic transformation in universities across North America. He specializes in the development of educational programs and services with decolonization and reconciliation as its core values. He comes to us with an open heart and open mind and hopes to be received in the same way.
Samantha Jack
Samantha Jack is an Indigenous woman from the Johnson family on her patrilineal side from Nuu-Chah-Nulth and the Jack family on her matrilineal side from Yale First Nations. Samantha is a fourth-year Political Science student and outspoken activist. She is a rising youth leader with commitments in facilitation, community engagement, Indigenous youth empowerment, and Indigenous advocacy. Speaking of decolonization efforts, reconciliation, and resilience, Samantha encourages the creation of safe and brave places to shift from a place of unknowing to comprehensive compassion and connection.
Key takeaways
- Len Pierre shared on intention setting and ownership for Indigenous Roots of the presenters who shared their lived /living expertise
- Wonderful narrative on their unique journey
- Need intention in building safer spaces where folks can be vulnerable
- Cannot just offer services without building community + kinship
- Community comes first!
- We need Indigenous outreach programs that are SPECIFIC without streamlining it to segregate services
Key Learning Objectives (defined by presenters)
- Inviting participants to explore an all my relations concept and the intersections it has with their own practice
- Develop partnerships, alliances, and advocate for reconciliatory and decolonial practices within healthcare
- Explore our collective ethics and co-creating strategies on fostering balance, elevating voices, allyship practices within colonial systems
The teachings of “all my relations” promotes equity, honors diversity, encourages inclusion and brings forth a resurgence of Indigenous values, beliefs, and ways where we can foster meaningful change for generations to come. We hope to bring a message of Indigenous wisdom, teachings, and guidance that encourages discussion on traditional ways of looking at mental health and substance use.
Key Themes
- Trauma informed and decolonized mental health
- Indigenous Equity