SPIRIT MAGAZINE A publication of the First Nations Health Authority 501-100 Park Royal South V7T 1A2 Coast Salish Territory (West Vancouver, BC) Phone: 604-693-6500 | Fax: 604-913-2081 Spiritmagazine@fnha.ca www.fnha.ca The content, opinions and views expressed in Spirit Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views held by the FNHA, its employees or member organizations. WE WANT TO PUBLISH YOUR CONTENT! Please send story ideas, articles and photographs to: Spiritmagazine@fnha.ca CONTRIBUTORS: Bambie Tait, Rachel Bach, Evelyn Harney, Danielle Harkey, William White, Cate Korinth, Rhoda Hallgren, Dr. Nataliya Skuridina, Amelia Nezil, Anita Christoff, Catherine Atyeo, Lydia Hwitsum, Jordie Johnson, Brenna Latimer, Vera Jones, Madeleine Stout, Michael Bell, Naseam Ahmadi, Phoebe Nezil, Cheryl Casimer and Trevor Kehoe. ON THE COVER: Melanie Mark (centre) and her mom, Yvonne, and daughters, Maya and Makayla, celebrate during Melanie’s swearing-in ceremony as the first Indigenous woman in the BC legislature. Read more on page 16.
Welcome to the Women’s Issue of Spirit Magazine.
H
ere’s to the matriarchs, mothers, grandmothers, sisters, daughters, aunties, partners and all women. In this issue of Spirit Magazine, we feature wisdom, words and health tips from a diverse group of contributors from across the province and in all life stages - from youth to career women, mothers to Elders. The women we were privileged to co-create this issue with shared their stories with integrity, heart and humour, and we raise our hands to them. In this issue, we feature respected First Nations and Indigenous leaders, such as Melanie Mark, Madeleine Kētēskwew Dion Stout, Mary Teegee, Cheryl Casimer and Evelyn Harney. Hear from Lydia Hwitsum on the power that comes from leaving behind the colonized thinking of the Indian Act and fostering self-worth and belonging in young women. Next, get ready for a career road trip with the “Savvy Woman’s Guide to Landing (and Rocking) Your Dream Job,” written by a team of women from the FNHA to share tips and tools for navigating the career world. We also touch on midwifery, women in politics, traditional and contemporary reproductive knowledge, empowerment of women and girls in sports and other reasons to celebrate our wellness. The decolonized thinking championed by Hwitsum and other women in this issue aligns with a movement taking place around the world to recognize and celebrate rights and respect for women - a movement that has come to be called Rematriation in many Indigenous communities. Professionals who work with and provide health care for First Nations and Indigenous women can adopt this decolonized thinking and apply it to their practices. By listening to and learning from Indigenous women’s stories, we can build better mutual understanding and respect, and in doing so, create a culture of humility. In this sense, Rematriation also has ties to the work underway in the health system in BC to improve cultural humility and cultural safety for women, their families and all Indigenous people. Cultural humility means approaching relationships, in a care setting or otherwise, ready to listen and learn with humility and leaving our assumptions at the door. It results in an environment free of racism and discrimination, where people feel safe when receiving health care on their wellness journeys, regardless of their culture or background. With that, we humbly acknowledge the work of those who helped shape this issue of Spirit. We hope these stories inspire you as much as they inspired our team during production. Our contributors brought laughter, tears and generosity to the process and have shown us what their vision is for a future of strong, healthy, self-determining and vibrant First Nations and Indigenous women, children, families and communities. Find out more about cultural humility and cultural safety in the BC health system and pledge your vision or commitment at www.fnha.ca/culturalhumility and use the hashtags #itstartswithme and #culturalhumility on social media.
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