Thank you for that question.
The sad part about it is the western way, like you said. When there's a crisis in a community and the community declares a state of emergency over a mental health issue, whether it's a string of suicides by youth or overdoses, they bring in the community supports. Canada or ISC or FNIHB will bring in those counsellors and therapists to provide the wraparound supports for three or five days. Maybe they're in there for two weeks, but then it starts taking a toll on them. When Makwa Sahgaiehcan declared a state of emergency, they had to replace the mental health workers because they were burning out from carrying all the burdens of the community and the people.
In terms of traditional ways of knowing, I think that's where it's at. We could look at what NAN is doing with the choose life program in their northern nations in Ontario. That program is working. It's all land-based and connected to the land.
I think we need to look at that same approach here in Saskatchewan. A lot of people are going back to the land and realizing that there is healing in nature and in rebuilding that connection first nations people have had for thousands of years here on Turtle Island. I think we need to restore that and look at those.
The western model is not working. Let's try the first nations' way and see if that helps. If the current system is failing, let's try something new. That's my recommendation.
Meegwetch.