Connecting culture and wellness in Eskasoni First Nation

June 21, 2021 marks the 25th anniversary of National Indigenous Peoples Day. For Indigenous communities, mental health and wellness is closely connected to culture and tradition. The ACCESS Open Minds youth hub in Eskasoni First Nation, a Mi’kmaq community in Nova Scotia provides a safe and welcoming place for Eskasoni youth aged 11 to 25 to get the help they need. It is one of six Indigenous-led ACCESS Open Minds service sites transforming youth mental health across Canada as a part of the pan-Canadian Integrated Youth Services (IYS) movement. The youth hub provides culturally relevant mental health services, as well as access to physical health services, traditional Indigenous programming and other social services, all under one roof.

In celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day, we asked Tomas, Brianna, Joady and Dwight, who have been involved in the peer support program in Eskasoni to share how culture plays a role in their mental health and well-being and what having the ACCESS Youth Space in their community means to them. Their responses paint a powerful picture of the connection between culture and wellness.

What role does culture play in your mental health and wellness?
For me, community is a massive aspect of my mental health and wellness. I operate with the intent to be a part of a well-knit community, where locations, the people and cultural practices are familiar as liminal space. I hope to see it thrive, so it may continue to be an environment where others and I can grow for the better.

What traditional practices or activities have helped support your mental health?
Talking circles and sweats have given me opportunities to develop as a person, learning empathy and understanding. This insight has given me opportunities to meet individuals that have changed my life for the better. I attribute my culture as a significant influence on my healing from childhood trauma. These experiences are helping me find purpose and meaning to move past nihilistic existentialism and apathy that comes from depression.

How has having the ACCESS Youth Space in your community impacted you?
A safe space that is being provided and is publicly available is intrinsically needed within the community of Eskasoni. I believe that Mi’kmaq people need to have a location to be immersed in, as locations and their purpose have roots in our culture and language. This is done to develop rapport with the space and those who work there, so clients who need mental health care can be comfortable with approaching the building and its services once familiarized.

Brianna Paul, 26

What role does culture play in your mental health and wellness?
I did not have a traditional upbringing. I struggle with fluency in Mi’kmaq. Some days I feel so disconnected from my Mi’kmaq culture, as to think “Can I really consider myself Indigenous?” But then I don’t consider myself belonging to any other. Too many times I’ve found myself feeling like my identity is up in the air and nothing is in reach to ground me.

But the smallest act, the smallest involvement, has put my mind at ease. Participating in cultural activities was a comfort like no other, and whether it was with the community in Eskasoni or in Toronto, everyone involved are so welcoming. Culture plays an immense role for my mental health and wellness, I couldn’t describe, but I would be lost without it.

What traditional practices or activities have helped support your mental health?
The cultural activities that take place at the Eskasoni ACCESS Youth Space (in collaboration with our Tui’kn Residential School Survivor team) brightens my day. I’ve learned to create a hand drum, made my own medicine pouches, ribbon skirts, learned to work with leather, and more. I may not be all that in to traditional practices, but cultural crafts comfort my spirit and help to validate my Indigenous identity in a way I am thankful for.

How has having the ACCESS Youth Space in your community impacted you?
It has impacted me in two ways: I’ve always been interested in working with youth. Before the Youth Space I spent a few summers with the Science and Business Summer Camp, and before that, there really wasn’t an activity-based location for children outside of Sports and Rec programming. Because of the Youth Space coming to the community, I have been able to achieve that goal. We have taught youth sewing skills, cooking skills, and social skills (and more) all in the comfort of our judgement-free space.

Secondly, this wasn’t around when I was a child. Seeing the interactions and experiences happening in the Youth Space, for our children, I’m ever so grateful. It really touches the heart.

What role does culture play in your mental health and wellness?
I would say that culture helps me a lot mentally whenever I feel bad energy or negativity. The first thing I think of doing is to smudge myself and my home, because it makes me feel safer and clears my mind.

What traditional practices or activities have helped support your mental health?
Smudging once a week and attending sweat lodges have helped me tremendously.

How has having the ACCESS Youth Space in your community impacted you?
Having the ACCESS Youth Space has impacted me positively. I feel like I have grown a lot since I’ve started working with the Youth Space. I feel more connected to my community, and with the youth. The Access Youth Space has helped me just as much as I have helped them.

Dwight Francis, 23

What role does culture play in your mental health and wellness?
Culture plays a huge role in my mental health and wellness because there are many ways we pray as Mi’kmaq. For example, smudging, sweats, pipe ceremonies, drumming, etc. These type of prayers help us connect with our creator and doing that can really give you peace of mind. Elders have also taught us a lot about mental health and wellness. It is good to learn from our Elders because they can teach us a lot and they are so wise.

What traditional practices or activities have helped support your mental health?
Beading has been a good help for me because it’s really interesting to me and I enjoying doing it. Sweats have also been good. Whenever I feel like someone needs a good prayer, the sweat is where to go. You go into one to pray for others, it’s like you’re sweating for the people you’re praying for and it makes you feel good knowing that purpose. Playing sports has always helped with my mental health as well. It’s good that the Youth Space gets sport programs running because not many people have access to a gym or even a ball and net. Sports are a really good for you mentally, basketball has always helped me mentally.

How has having the ACCESS Youth Space in your community impacted you?
The ACCESS Youth Space has impacted me a lot because there are a lot of different traditional practices and activities that I’ve learned in the past year. The types of traditional practice were drum making, ribbon skirts, dream catchers, beading (earring, ornaments, keychains, etc.).

I’ve never really done any of this stuff when I was younger and it feels good to finally get a chance to learn these things. The Youth Space also has a lot of activities they run and sports are one of many things I like to do. Being able to have access to the gym with equipment is a big help for families who can’t afford it or would just like to try different sports. 

Thank you to Brianna, Dwight, Joady and Tomas for sharing their experiences around culture and wellness with us.

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In early 2020, we visited ACCESS Open Minds Eskasoni First Nation to hear from youth and staff about the importance of these services. Watch this video to learn more:

Through the Bell-Graham Boeckh Foundation Partnership, Bell Let’s Talk is proud to help accelerate the delivery of mental health and wellness services through Integrated Youth Services (IYS) hubs across Canada. To learn more about the IYS movement click here.

National Indigenous Peoples Day is a day for all Canadians to continue to learn about Indigenous history and celebrate the diverse cultures and achievements of Indigenous peoples.