Well-being & Trauma-Informed Practice Educator | Consultant | Community Development Practioner | Facilitator
I don’t even know how to start this post. So I’ll just get to it. Trigger warning: hate, residential schools, mental health. I support the No Space For Hate counter-protests encouraging love and acceptance in the face of explicit hate and harm towards the 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities. Everyone, especially young people, deserve our unwavering acceptance of their self-defined gender identities and expression including how they wish to be addressed. The fact that this even needs to be said is shocking to me. My heart is heavier in wake of the announcement from the Stó:lo Nation whose traditional territory I grew-up on. So far they have identified 158 children died at residential schools and historical segregated hospitals. It makes me physically sick reading and hearing accounts of the horrific and inhumane way Indigenous children were treated. At the very least, records should be made more easily available and ample resources provided to communities to facilitate this heart-wrenching process of closure and healing for families, communities, and nations. Mental health awareness week took place last week in Aotearoa New Zealand. Bringing awareness is such an important step for individual and collective well-being. I saw lots of organizations posting which is wonderful. I also read a lot of posts that seemed rather surface level and a bit performative. I know it’s an overwhelming topic as we’re all coming at it from different angles. I encourage organizations in the wake of the week to really reflect deeply on how you can show-up with tangible research-based information and organizational practices that provide nuanced specific supports and education for your staff and the public. And for individuals, I encourage your well-being exploration to be curious and courageous as you move to build an expansive foundation that brings you transformative strength, self-awareness, and growth. September 30th is the third National Truth and Reconciliation Day in what is known as Canada. I will be observing it again this year from a distance in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Despite the physical distance my heart is always with my friends and chosen family across Turtle Island. Love to all my relations past, present and future.