indigenous wellness

In a can't-miss episode for fans of the podcast, hosts Jade Chaboyer-Kondra and Nicole Taylor-Sterritt challenge three of Interior Voices' self-proclaimed biggest fans to a trivia contest based on previous episodes from this season! Listen to Natalie Daniels, Indigenous cultural safety and practice lead, Darcy Doberstein, manager, strategy and accountability, Indigenous Partnerships, and Becca Britton, Métis health systems advocate, show off their podcast knowledge for a chance at the crown. 

Relive the best of the season, with fun, laughter, and conversation about the important themes and learnings Interior Voices brought to life in 2023. Are you an avid listener? We encourage you to play along!

As the fifth season draws to a close, we also acknowledge the work and legacy of two individuals who have been integral to Interior Voices throughout the years. 

Beth Blew, one of the original co-founders of the podcast, edited Interior Voices for 4.5 seasons in addion to marketing the podcast. Her behind-the-scenes contributions allowed it to flourish and grow, to become the podcast it is today. 

We also acknowledge Jody Wagner, one of our excellent hosts. Jody recently took a new position within Interior Health and will no longer be working as a host of the podcast - but her insight, creative ideas, and compelling questions will leave a legacy. 

Have you enjoyed this trip down memory lane? Revisit Season 5 by listening to previous episodes: 

Season 5, Episode 1 – Peer Inclusion Project

Season 5, Episode 2 – Aboriginal Partnerships Leadership Team

Season 5, Episode 3 – Indigenous Health Emergency Management Liaison Tamara Sommer

Season 5, Episode 4 – Indigenous Nurses Day

Season 5, Episode 5 – Moose Hide Campaign

Season 5, Episode 6 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Season 5, Episode 7 – Climate Change

Season 5, Episode 8 – Métis Nation British Columbia

Season 5, Episode 9 – Indigenous Foods in IH Facilities

Interior Voices hosts Jade Chaboyer-Kondra, Jody Wagner, and Nicole Taylor-Sterritt recently sat down with Mary Jack, lead, strategy and accountability on the Aboriginal Partnerships team, to discuss National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. In a powerful and insightful discussion, they share how listeners can recognize the day, and learn the truth about impacts of colonization. 

This podcast includes themes related to residential school experiences. If you or someone you know requires immediate support or assistance, call a crisis line (available 24 hours, 7 days per week):

Indian Residential School Survivor Society Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
KUU-US (Indigenous) Crisis Line: 1-800-588-8717
Métis Crisis Line: 1-833-638-4722
Interior Crisis Line Network: 1-888-353-2273

We encourage you to continue to learn, and unlearn, to move forward on the path of reconciliation.  Explore opportunities and resources to learn more:

Resources

• View the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPPA)
• Learn about the Sixties Scoop
• Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action
• Listen to Interior Voices, Season 4, Episode 7: Orange Shirt Day/ National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with guest Kukpi7 (Chief) Willie Sellars of Williams Lake First Nation
• Read the Moose Hide Campaign’s National Day of Truth and Reconciliation guide

Our Host-Recommended Reading List:

• Glen Jack experienced the horror of Kamloops Residential Schools. He’s been trying to get people to listen for 50 years by Andrea Woo, Globe and Mail
• Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese
• There, There by Tommy Orange
• Five Little Indians by Michelle Good
• 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act: Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a Reality by Bob Joseph

Our Host-Recommended Watch List

• Webinars from the National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health
• Kímmapiiyipitssini: The Meaning of Empathy, directed by Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers
• Survivors of the Red Brick School produced by Osoyoos Indian Band
• Little Bird

Interior Health InsideNet Resources

• Read the Indian Residential School Awareness Resource 
• View Interior Health’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day 2023 Toolkit for more information and resources
• Buy an orange shirt using the Aboriginal Vendors Guide
• Complete the Indigenous-Specific Antiracism Awareness (ISAE) series on iLearn
• View the Honoraria and Gifting Guide
• Read the Aboriginal Engagement FAQ for IH Staff
• Read the Interior Health Aboriginal Health and Wellness Strategy
• Get familiar with the Interior Health Safe Reporting Policy: it allows anyone to confidentially report anything they see as wrongdoing, including racism in the workplace.

The dangers posed by fires and floods are increasing each year. Earlier this summer, Interior Voices podcast hosts Nicole Taylor-Sterritt and Jody Wagner met with OKIB Chief Byron Louis and Kady Hunter, Climate Change & Health Lead with Interior Health. Their discussion focused on the crucial partnerships IH is developing with First Nations in response to the changing climate and its impact to our health and wellbeing.

On today’s episode hosts Jody Wagner and Jade Chadboyer-Kondra sit down with Moosehide Campaign co-founder Raven Lacerte and National Ambassador Dominic Paul.

How to Participate:

• Order, wear, and share moose hide pins – Order pins
• Take part in Moose Hide Campaign Day on May 11, 2023 – Register
• Join the one-day fast 
• Recognition through the PSA learning Centre
• Organize your own COVID-safe event with your colleagues
• Wear your pin when meeting online
• Write a blog post or newsletter article
• Download signature blocks, meeting backgrounds etc
• Join us on April 12 for a Founders Webinar, 12pm – 1pm

Learn more at moosehidecampaign.ca.

This week on the podcast, hosts Jade Chaboyer-Khondra and Nicole Taylor-Sterritt welcome Dr. Lisa Bourque Bearskin, Nikki Rose Hunter-Porter and Michelle Padley for a celebration of Indigenous Nurses Day.

• Additional information and activity links

On today’s episode hosts Tracy Mooney and Jody Wagner discuss Peer Inclusion and Engagement within Mental Health and Substance Use planning and service deliver with guests Alison Kyte and Brock Thomas. 

Learn more

• Stories@IH: Peers are being engaged to share their substance use expertise
• The Role of the Peer within a Clinical Team webinar provides background about the roots of Peer Support. It is delivered by Pat Deegan who is an international leader in Peer work.
• IH staff can check out the Peer Inclusion and Engagement Toolkit to learn more and to find out how to engage Peers in their work
• People with lived or living experience with substance use visit the Substance Use Peer Engagement & Inclusion webpage to learn more and to get involved.
• Lila Waston
• Peer Support Canada
• Mental Health Commission of Canada 
• Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge and the teachings of plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer- available to IH staff through IH Library Services
• Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese
• IH Land Acknowledgment Policy

On today’s episode our hosts sit down with Dr. Martin Lavoie, Interim Chief Medical Health Officer for Interior Health. Dr. Lavoie shares his ongoing journey around the importance creating meaningful Territory Acknowledgements.

Learn More: 

• FNHA Territory Acknowledgements booklet
• What Do Land Acknowledgements Really Mean? 
• Beyond Territorial Acknowledgements
• Interior Voices podcast Territory Acknowledgment Episode from Season 1
• An Overview of Territory Acknowledgement
• FAQ and Policy Guide (InsideNet)
• A map of First Nation Territories in the Interior Health service area (InsideNet)
• Assistance with pronunciation (InsideNet)