The Best Practices Network in Canadian Higher Education (BP-Net) is thrilled to announce a new webinar series coming in 2024: Advancing Decolonization and Indigenization in Post-Secondary Student Mental Health and Wellbeing: A Conversation Series.
Please save the date and join us for a national conversation on how post-secondary institutions can advance their decolonization efforts.
Over the course of one year, colleges, universities, health agencies, consortiums, and associations from across Canada will present on emerging and promising practices and knowledge. By sharing our efforts and learning from each other, we hope to start a supportive conversation that will help us all advance, together.
This virtual conversation series is free to attend and is open to everyone. Please contact us at info@bp-net.ca. if you would like to present your institution’s efforts.
More details will be shared ahead of each month’s session. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at info@bp-net.ca.
Past Sessions:
Thursday, January 25th, 2024 | 2:00 – 3:00 PM ET
How We Are Moving from an Institutional Indigenous Strategic Plan to a Directorate Action Plan
Presenter: Gaya Arasaratnam, Director, Wellbeing and Accessibility Services, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, BC
Download the presentation slides here (PDF)
Wednesday, February 28th, 2024 | 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET
The Public Health Agency of Canada’s Indigenous Cultural Competency Policy and Tools – Building the Knowledge and Abilities to Work with Indigenous Peoples
Presenters: Kimberley Resch, Indigenous Relations Team, Intergovernmental and Indigenous Affairs Division, The Public Health Agency of Canada
Christine Evans, Indigenous Relations Team, Intergovernmental and Indigenous Affairs Division, The Public Health Agency of Canada
Download the presentation slide deck and the Indigenous Cultural Competency Toolkit in English and French below:
The Public Health Agency of Canada’s Indigenous Cultural Competency Policy and Tools_EN (PDF)
The Public Health Agency of Canada’s Indigenous Cultural Competency Policy and Tools_FR (PDF)
Indigenous Cultural Competency Toolkit_EN (PDF)
Indigenous Cultural Competency Toolkit_FR (PDF)
Friday, March 22nd, 2024 | 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET
Decolonizing our Counselling Services: Study Group and Brave Space Agreement
Presenters: Amy Kheong, Executive Director of Counselling and Wellness, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, BC
Johnny Liu, Clinical Counsellor, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, BC
Download the presentation slides here (PDF)
Tuesday, April 30th, 2024 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM ET
Doing the Good Work: Indigenization, Reconciliation, and Decolonization at Assiniboine Community College
Presenters: Kris Desjarlais, Director of Indigenous Affairs, Assiniboine Community College, MB
Mireille Saurette, Wellness Advisor, Learning Commons, Assiniboine Community College, MB (PDF)
Download the presentation slides here (PDF)
Seven Sacred Teachings from a Student Perspective (PDF)
Wednesday, May 29th, 2024 | 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET
Advancing Decolonization and Indigenization at UBC Counselling Services
Presenter: Kirby Huminuik, Registered Psychologist, Director, Counselling Services, The University of British Columbia, BC
Download the presentation slides here (PDF)
Wednesday, June 19th, 2024 | 2:00 – 3:00 PM ET
ᐊᐧᐦᑯᐦᑐᐃᐧᐣ Wahkohtowin: Honoring Indigenous Approaches for Student Mental Health and Wellness Services
Presenters: Jocelyn Orb, Director, Student Wellness Centre, University of Saskatchewan, SK
seapieces marsland, Indigenous Counsellor, Student Wellness Centre, University of Saskatchewan, SK
Wednesday, August 14th, 2024 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM ET
Bison Walks an Infinity Pathway: Using a Métis Worldview and Inspiration from Bison to Inform Mental Health Practices in Canada
Presenter: Tyler Twarowski, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) National Senior Manager, Indigenous Wellness and Reconciliation
Download the presentation slides here (PDF)
Additional Resources Shared:
Indigenizing Mental Healthcare Additional Readings (PDF)
Nelson, S. (2012). Challenging hidden assumptions: Colonial norms as determinants of Aboriginal mental health. National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health.
Poitras Pratt, Y. & Bodnaresko, S. (2023).Reconciliation through Education: A Model of Ethical Spaces and Relationality. Journal of Teaching and Learning, 17(1), 111–128.
Thursday, September 19th, 2024 | 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET
Decolonizing Mental Health and Counselling Services at John Abbott College (JAC)
Presenters: Meaghan Blake, Chairperson, Psychological and Career Counselling, John Abbott College, QC
Daniel Beaulieu, Psychologist, Psychological and Career Counselling, John Abbott College, QC
Kim Martin, Dean of Indigenous Education, John Abbott College, QC
Download the presentation slides here (PDF)
Wednesday, November 6th, 2024 | 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET
Supervisors Are Not Cops: Abolitionist and Decolonizing Practices in Psychological Training and Mentorship
Presenter: Jeffrey Ansloos, Associate Professor of Indigenous Health and Social Policy at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), The University of Toronto, ON
Download the presentation slides here (PDF)
Additional Resources Shared:
Critical Resistance Guide for Teaching and Learning Abolition (PDF)
Vikki Reynolds’ Articles: https://vikkireynolds.ca/writings/articles/
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024 | 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) National Statement of Apology: A Journey Towards Healing and Understanding
Presenter: Tyler Twarowski, CMHA National Senior Manager, Indigenous Wellness and Reconciliation