Expressions of our health: Perspectives of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children and youth

s n o i ss e ExpOrUR OF

health

Perspectives of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children and youth

© 2025 National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health (NCCIH) and Birchbark Collaborative.

This publication was funded by the NCCIH and made possible through a financial contribution from the TD Bank Group and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the TD Bank Group or PHAC.

La version française est également disponible au ccnsa.ca sous le titre : Expressions de notre santé : perspectives des enfants et des jeunes des Premières Nations, inuits et métis.

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Citation: Birchbark Collaborative. (2025).

Expressions of our health: Perspectives of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children and youth. National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health.

National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health (NCCIH) 3333 University Way Prince George, BC, V2N 4Z9 Canada Tel: (250) 960-5250 Fax: (250) 960-5644 Email: nccih@unbc.ca Web: nccih.ca

ISBN (print): 978-1-77368-652-3 ISBN (online): 978-1-77368-653-0

Contents Ages 5-8

Charlee .................... 6 Elliana........................ 8 Alessia..................... 10 Ben.......................... 12 Emerson.................. 14 Annika..................... 16 Bella......................... 18 Breelyn.................... 20 Meadow.................. 22 Nathan..................... 24 Pablo....................... 26 Weston.................... 28 Yumi......................... 30

Ages 9-11

Edwyn...................... 32 Ember-Ling.............. 34 Ayden...................... 36 Hudson.................... 38 Lana......................... 40 Shayla...................... 42 Clara........................ 44 Hudson.................... 46 Joyce........................ 48

Ages 12-14

Olivier...................... 50 Pierre....................... 52 Rayden.................... 54 Arabella................... 56 Maisie...................... 58 Sophia..................... 60 Ayrianna.................. 62 Farrah...................... 64 Liam......................... 66 Teieswatetah........... 68

Ages 15-18

Bella......................... 70 Oliver....................... 72 Tatyanna.................. 74 Zacchary.................. 76 Danica ..................... 78 Grace ...................... 80 Inti........................... 82

Stories of our health: Perspectives of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis youth

The NCCIH has many resources on First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples’ health; however, few specific to Indigenous youth. Over 2025, the NCCIH undertook a national digital storytelling project, Seeing the stories of our health: Perspectives of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis youth to better understand what health and well-being mean to Indigenous young people.

Digital storytelling - the art of combining oral tradition with digital technology - is a community-based, learnercentred approach to generating knowledge. It involves using computer software to create a 3-5 minute video to illustrate a personal story. Three digital storytelling workshops took place in Winnipeg, Prince George, and Ottawa with Indigenous youth (aged 14-20). These resulted in eleven digital stories. nccih.ca/495/youth-digital-storytelling-videos.nccih?id=10521

An accompanying guide on digital storytelling has been created so that First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, communities, and organizations have the tools at hand to be able to undertake a successful digital storytelling project and workshops with Indigenous youth. nccih.ca/495/youth-digital-storytelling-guide.nccih?id=10526

In addition to the digital stories, this project included the development of a podcast series, Hearing the stories of our health: Perspectives of First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth. Nine of the digital storytellers participated in this podcast series where they could further reflect on their lives, their communities, and what health really means to them in a world that often forgets to ask them. nccih.ca/495/youth-digitalstorytelling-podcasts.nccih?id=10520

The Expressions of our health: Perspectives of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children and youth zine came about through a call for submissions for a zine art contest for First Nations, Inuit and Métis children and youth. Youth, aged 5 through 18, were asked to creatively express what health and wellness meant to them, through any type of artwork that could be translated to a print format. nccih.ca/495/youth-digitalstorytelling-zine.nccih?id=10525

Ages 5-8 CHARLEE 5 YEARS OLD

North Island Métis Association, Campbell River, British Columbia Drawing, 9x12”, 2025 Charlee feels calm and happy when she hears the bees buzz and birds tweet.

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Ages 5-8

ELLIANA 5 YEARS OLD

Cowichan, Vancouver Island, British Columbia Booklet, 2025 This booklet of drawings includes “Health and wellness”, “Oregon grape” “Camas lily”, “Heart”, “Dandelion”, “Fireweed”, “Salay”, and “Huckleberry”.

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Ages 5-8 ALESSIA

6 YEARS OLD

La Ronge, Saskatchewan Markers and crayons, 8.5x 11”, 2025 “Family activities”

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Ages 5-8 BEN

6 YEARS OLD

Beaumont, Alberta Drawing, 8x11”, 2025 Ben is showcasing he and his friends enjoying a fun game of soccer for what health and wellness means to him.

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Ages 5-8 EMERSON 6 YEARS OLD

Qathet Métis Community Association, Powell River, British Columbia Fish painting, 2025 Emerson loves to paint things he loves, especially fish as his aunty is a fish biologist and recently taught him how to fly fish.

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Ages 5-8 ANNIKA 8 YEARS OLD

Métis Nation, Ontario Drawing, 8x11”, 2025 “Healthy foods”

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Ages 5-8

BELLA

8 YEARS OLD

Cowichan, Vancouver Island, British Columbia Booklet, 2025 This booklet of drawings includes: “Health and wellness”, “I love the earth”, “Mother tree”, “Camas lily”, “Canoeing”, “Dandelion”, and “Fishing”.

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Ages 5-8 BREELYN 8 YEARS OLD

Roseau River Anishinaabe First Nation, Manitoba Beadwork, 2025 Beadwork bracelet with charm.

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Ages 5-8 MEADOW 8 YEARS OLD

Winnipeg, Manitoba Acrylic on canvas, 8x10”, 2025 I just love art. These paint pens are really juicy and my painting is also very juicy.

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Ages 5-8 NATHAN 8 YEARS OLD

Wendake, Quebec Felt-tip pen drawing, 11x8.5”, 2025 “Health”

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Ages 5-8

PABLO

8 YEARS OLD

Ermineskin Cree Nation, Alberta Pencil, marker, paper, 2025 These drawings are things I am doing and things I want to do!

I have tried doing a bicycle kick lots of times, and I have a yellow soccer jersey with Ronaldo’s number on it. I wish to be on a soccer team one day, wearing a black and red jersey like in my drawing. I love to swim, it’s my favourite thing to do, and am in swimmer level 5. My drawing is of me under the water holding my breath for a long time. My mom has promised to put me in jiu jitsu soon, and my drawing is of me doing jui jitsu and karate!

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Ages 5-8 WESTON 8 YEARS OLD

La Ronge, Saskatchewan Pencil and marker, 8.5x11”, 2025 “My family”

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Ages 5-8

YUMI

8 YEARS OLD

Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, Saskatchewan Pencil sketch, 2025 The drawing is called, ᐱᓯᑦ (pîsim). In Cree, the word pîsim means both sun and moon. We chose the name pîsim together because it expresses how 1 word (or in this case, 1 image) can mean more than one thing. The sun and rain nourish our growth.

The moon and stars represent the night which gives us time to rest.

It is not just a moon or a sun, it is both. Likewise, it is not only stars or rain depicted, it is both. The rest of the image is a little less abstract: The soil (earth) is filled with love. The pot is home, and the poppies mean peace. Three poppies signify community.

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Ages 9-11 EDWYN 9 YEARS OLD

Nanaimo, British Columbia Mixed media collage, 8x10”, 2025 “My culture, nature and health”

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Ages 9-11 EMBER-LING 9 YEARS OLD

Qathet Métis Community Association, Powell River, British Columbia Beaded earrings, 2025

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Flower painting, 2025 Art especially beading helps me keep calm and focused when I worry. It helps being creative.

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Ages 9-11 AYDEN

10 YEARS OLD

Edmonton, Alberta Pencil on paper, 8x11”, 2025 “Somewhere calm”

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Ages 9-11 HUDSON

10 YEARS OLD

North Island Métis Association, Campbell River, British Columbia 9x12”, 2025 “Mountains”

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Ages 9-11 LANA

10 YEARS OLD

Buffalo Lake Métis Settlement, Alberta Poem, 2025 “The path of healing”

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Ages 9-11

SHAYLA

10 YEARS OLD

Roseau River Anishinaabe First Nation, Manitoba Digital art using iPad, 2025 “Procreate” represents healing and friendship.

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Ages 9-11 CLARA

11 YEARS OLD

Essipit, Quebec Drawing, 2025 “Meadow”

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Ages 9-11 HUDSON

11 YEARS OLD

Nanaimo, British Columbia Photography, poetry, 8x10”, 2025 “My strong juicy arms”

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Ages 9-11 JOYCE

11 YEARS OLD

Sandy Lake, Ontario Crayon and pencil, 2025 I like when the sun goes up.

It makes me feel great.

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Ages 12-14 OLIVIER

12 YEARS OLD

Métis Nation, Quebec Photographs, 2025 “Young Métis working to repair road camp”

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Since he’s been included in the camp chores, he’s gained a lot of confidence. His speech and his approach to us show that he’s a young man on the rise. He’s finding his place while remaining modest. The fact that he’s a responsible driver demonstrates his progress. Our trust in him makes him feel secure.

EXPRESSIONS OF OUR HEALTH

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Ages 12-14

PIERRE

12 YEARS OLD

Mitaanjigamiing First Nation, Winnipeg, Manitoba Digital art, 2025 “Starry Sunset” This piece captures a moment where the world slows down—where the sun dips below the waves and the stars quietly take their place. The cool blues and soft greens represent calm and clarity, while the rising stars remind us that even after a long day, there’s always light in the darkness. The peaceful horizon is a reminder to pause, breathe, and know that healing happens in small, gentle moments. This is what wellness looks like when the mind finds rest.

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Ages 12-14 RAYDEN

12 YEARS OLD

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Pencil on paper, 11x9”, 2025 “My shadow”

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Ages 12-14 ARABELLA 13 YEARS OLD

Mid Island Métis Nation, Nanaimo, British Columbia Painted acrylic, 8x10”, 2025 “Sacred insight” is how I see my health and wellness as a Métis youth. The eye shows vision and self-awareness, looking inward while staying connected to the world. Water is sacred in Métis culture.

The swirling fish in the iris represent life, movement, and connection to nature.

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Ages 12-14 MAISIE

13 YEARS OLD

Métis Western Region 2A, Saskatchewan Digital drawing and poem, 1624x1588px, 2025 “When I am …”

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Ages 12-14 SOPHIA

13 YEARS OLD

Winnipeg, Manitoba Acrylic on canvas, 8x10”, 2025 Earlier this summer I saw lights in the sky and I’m sure it was a UFO. I love spaceships and I love to draw.... both of those things make me happy.

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Ages 12-14

AYRIANNA 14 YEARS OLD

Neyaashiinnigmiing, Ontario Painting and paper art, 11x8.5”, 2019 Ayrianna is now 14 years old and to this day just as passionate in self-care through introspection and belief in her knowing of self, and pursuing wholistic health care through a naturopath doctor and personal growth and development.

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Pencil crayon, paper, 8.5x11”, 2019

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Ages 12-14 FARRAH

14 YEARS OLD

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Watercolour on paper, 8x9.5”, 2025 “Trees with colourful skies”

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Ages 12-14 LIAM

14 YEARS OLD

Edmonton, Alberta Photograph, 2025 “Saskatoon jam”

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Ages 12-14

TEIESWATETAH 14 YEARS OLD

Kahnawake, Quebec Digital drawing, 2025

When you are not well, it doesn’t immediately show, but there can be signs. When you are not well, you isolate, withdraw and shut down. This is a native character that I designed, but he has no name which I did on purpose. He could represent anyone. He’s sitting and watching everyone else have fun.

He’s feeling anxious, afraid to be judged, and afraid to be seen.

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This is the same character.

Being unwell is slowly creeping up on him. The goodness and healthiness of him is leaving his body. The colours in the picture also get more duller to show this.

The skin walker is keeping anything healthy from him. It’s a metaphor for someone putting on a mask or pretending they are well when they are not.

There’s more to this story because it’s part of a longer comic book that I drew. The skin walker prevents him from sleeping, which makes him cranky and everyone gets put off by that. His friends try to help him, but he gets more mad.

My message is: Check in even if you think the person is doing fine because they may not be.

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Ages 15-18

BELLA

15 YEARS OLD

Tillicum VNFC, Victoria, British Columbia Collage, 2025 The “Living Collage” was inspired by the Zine, a mural of resources and reminders for all. Hopefully the image speaks for itself!

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Collage and pencil drawing, 2025 The page of the drawing of herself holding our family cat is a display of happiness “Wellness = Joy”, it explains that if you keep your wellness a priority it will turn to joy! Proves wellness is crucial for wellbeing.

Collage, 2025 The “Revive Nature” is a display of “unplugging” off devices and into the natural world which is part of who we are as humans and essential for feeling fully alive”! In hindsight Wellbeing, feeling connected and grounded with Creator!

I’m SO proud of my Bella!

15, turning 16! Her ways, thinking and art truly show that there is hope for those who seek self-care, wellness and awareness in this broken world!

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Ages 15-18 OLIVER

15 YEARS OLD

Métis Western Region 2A, Saskatchewan Digital, 1620x2160px, 2025 “Flowers and fields”

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Ages 15-18

TATYANNA 15 YEARS OLD

Regina, Saskatchewan Acrylics on canvas, 5x7”, 2025 “Wolf in the forest”

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Ages 15-18

ZACCHARY 15 YEARS OLD

Sagkeeng First Nation, Manitoba Van Dyke print, 7x12”, 2025 “Simplicity”

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Collage, 8x11”, 2025 “Who I am”

Copper flame painting, 6x3”, 2025 “Creative copper”

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Ages 15-18 DANICA

16 YEARS OLD

Southeast Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF), Manitoba Digital art, 2025 “Returning to our roots”

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Ages 15-18 GRACE

18 YEARS OLD

Zagime Anishinabek, Saskatchewan Beadwork on felt, 2025 “Love of the Sacred Four Directions”

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Ages 15-18 INTI

18 YEARS OLD

Kehewin First Nation, Alberta e-ink tablet drawing, 2025 “When my morning is not going my way, I like to take … a lentil health day”

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