How We Began: A Movement Rooted in Community & Reconciliation |
The Restorative Wellness Project was born at the direct request of Elders, clients, doctors, psychiatrists, and educators across multiple communities who recognized the urgent need for culturally grounded, trauma-informed, and accessible wellness services. In response, Restorative Counselling partnered with Restorative Justice of the Sunshine Coast to co-create an innovative program centered on decolonizing mental health and addiction services. Together, we launched a model of care that integrates culture, mindfulness, and spirituality into healing circles — not as add-ons, but as vital aspects of personal and communal wellness.
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Letter of support for Restorative Wellness Initiatives Coyote
- Co-Founder RCHS
My name is Coyote, also known as Terry Aleck, originally from Lytton BC. I am an Elder, residential school survivor and advocate for the role of culture, ceremony and community support (in a circle) as the most appropriate way to recover. In my lifetime and in my healing journey, I played a I raise my hands to the team at RWP that recognizes the only way to achieve lasting change is to reconnect to one’s own value and belief system. These groups not only offer the mental health content needed by our community members, but also provide a respectful and safe forum for exploring the overlap of value systems across cultures, space and time.
Through participation in these Restorative Counselling groups, I have witnessed clients that were severely depressed, addicted or suicidal stabilize, heal and even thrive after completing group offerings plus counselling. I have an interest in this work and have trained with JIBC in counselling and addiction and am also trained in the peacekeeper circle training utilized by Restorative Justice. I have worked with universities and provided counselling support and other cultural services as a pipe-carrier for many years.
One of my roles is to assist in bringing the peacekeeper circle model from Restorative Justice into the programs and practices offered at Restorative Counselling, Restorative Community Health Society and the Restorative Wellness Project (RWP). We are doing this by making sure that all team members and community partners “walk the talk” and mentor by example by taking the peacekeeper training, as well as all the culturally and spiritually enriched group offerings of the program they work in. This extends from counsellors to accountants and support staff, as well as volunteers and elders.
I have 35 years in recovery and remain committed to mentoring others in creating healthy and meaningful balance in their lives. This project / group and counselling program is a beautiful marriage between health care and traditional wellness practices and I would like to ask that you assist me in keeping it going.
I am applying for funding to support this incredible program that has welcomed me as a cultural teacher, language speaker, pipe-carrier, sweat lodge leader and mentor to both clients and Elders in training / team members. I am proud of the work we have done together through Covid 19 and am humbled by the number of lives we have supported and assisted.
This work was hard, and I realize that it was through heart, spirit and generosity that we came together to support marginalized and traumatized people across turtle island regardless of financial limitations. This was done without funding, and as a result the exceptionally talented team members doing this good work are struggling to maintain the cost of mass group delivery to meet the incredible need.
Clients seem to benefit most from doing the stabilization program (DBT - 5 months) before moving on to groups related to creating a lasting lifestyle change, oriented to recovery in an Indigenous sense (holistic, balanced, sacred and compassionate).
The multiple communities we have served together have made mutual requests that we add to the current group program by providing regular offerings of culturally enriched MBRP (Mindfulness-based relapse prevention group - 10 weeks) as well as Weekly group meetings using “The 16 step model to recovery and empowerment” as a culturally safe, strength-based alternative to AA and the 12-Step program, which can be triggering or feel unsafe for those impacted by inter-generational trauma inflicted by residential schools. The 16 step model is much more in-line with our way of healing and supporting community members, and would be better attended by non-Christian, or other minority populations. Many clients share a concern about the shame-based nature that can exist in the AA community as a barrier to accessing support.
- We would like to further develop offerings by providing an alternative to traditional 12-step and abstinence-based recovery programs to make the services more accessible to Indigenous Peoples and those with Matriarchal / Relational Value systems.
- Please watch our videos that briefly introduce our services – they are short and give a glimpse of the power of our collaborative efforts. Feel free to ask for them if not yet submitted.
- Our valued team is committed to learning and responding to the directly expressed needs of all community members.
- Please look at the website to see the scope and impact of this work!
This is the way forward, and we are asking for your help to assist us with the momentum of this RESTORATIVE WELLNESS WAVE. With hopes of training other communities and provinces across turtle island to offer the same.
Dr. Gabor Mate
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As a retired physician, author and speaker with experience and special interest in addictions, child development, multigenerational trauma. and cross-cultural issues, I am pleased to provide a warm endorsement for the Restorative Wellness Program
Having visited and worked in many First Nations communities across the country, I have often been struck by the prevalence of multigenerational trauma and the need to address it employing the latest insights and methodologies of modern trauma research and therapeutics. At the same time, it has long been my impression that missing from the Western models of treatment is the traditional mind/ body/spirit wisdom of Native people and that this wisdom is essential to healing. |
Specifically, the elder-held traditions of insights, narratives, songs, prayers, dances, spirit-quests and other modalities bring a deep and crucial dimension to the healing of trauma. I have often wished these were available to traumatized populations even of non-First Nations background, but I see them as absolutely crucial in work with Canada’s Native population.
In brief, I see an urgent need to increase elder involvement and mental health/wisdom teachings in the therapeutic setting, for both indigenous and non-indigenous participants. Having reviewed the ideas and activities outlined in the Restorative Wellness Project, I enthusiastically support the possibilities inherent in it and hope that funding individuals and agencies will be inspired to help make its realization possible.
In brief, I see an urgent need to increase elder involvement and mental health/wisdom teachings in the therapeutic setting, for both indigenous and non-indigenous participants. Having reviewed the ideas and activities outlined in the Restorative Wellness Project, I enthusiastically support the possibilities inherent in it and hope that funding individuals and agencies will be inspired to help make its realization possible.
Dr. Dawn LaPorte - Nanaimo Psychiatrist
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Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Board Certified In Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Dr. LaPorte is known (along with some other stellar psychiatrists through the Nanaimo and Oceanside communities) for excellence in strength-based psychiatric care among clients and other clinicians. We are grateful to have her support in our community-driven services.
Dawn provides psychiatric consultation and support for clients in need of additional help. Her knowledge of how to navigate the system in order to access psychiatric care and medication management assists a number of our clients in achieving stabilization. Dawn does not see clients through RWP, but does provide psychiatric consult, inter-disciplinary case consults and recommendations for referral to the most appropriate psychiatric service for clients outside the catchment she serves. Thank you for being extra-awesome LaPorte! - RWP Team |
"I write this letter in support of The Restorative Wellness Project. This project will create a much-needed blend of traditional wisdom melded with evidence based psychotherapeutic techniques delivered in a culturally sensitive manner to a population in dire need. The work of this project is to infuse and enhance established proven-effective mental health groups with spiritual and cultural knowledge to support the healing of the community in the age of reconciliation. Additionally it is Ms. Berube's goal to provide these services at a subsidized rate making healing more accessible to those in need".
"Furthermore, the Restorative Wellness Project would include an emphasis on for credit mental health education at the high school and university levels. Currently there are very limited mental health resources both for youth and for adults in this and in many other communities. As an adult psychiatrist, I meet with patients on a daily basis who report that their struggles began in their younger years. One wonders how their lives would have been positively impacted had they been exposed to mental health education resulting in the development of coping skills and increased resilience at that crucial time."
"I'd like to add that I am available to the clinical team at RWP for ongoing conversation and collaboration as they work diligently to bring this incredible project to fruition."
"Furthermore, the Restorative Wellness Project would include an emphasis on for credit mental health education at the high school and university levels. Currently there are very limited mental health resources both for youth and for adults in this and in many other communities. As an adult psychiatrist, I meet with patients on a daily basis who report that their struggles began in their younger years. One wonders how their lives would have been positively impacted had they been exposed to mental health education resulting in the development of coping skills and increased resilience at that crucial time."
"I'd like to add that I am available to the clinical team at RWP for ongoing conversation and collaboration as they work diligently to bring this incredible project to fruition."
Restorative Justice (Sunshine Coast) Calvin Craigan, Nancy Denham & Diane Marshall
Mindful Self-Compassion Graduates of 2020
We raise our hands to this fine crew of Mentors from Restorative Justice at of the Sunshine Coast and the Siyaya Reconciliation Movement.
Thank you for both your EXAMPLE and your support!
Left to right: Chief Calvin Craigan, Kristen Berube, Nancy Denham and Retired Psychotherapist Diane Marshall
We raise our hands to this fine crew of Mentors from Restorative Justice at of the Sunshine Coast and the Siyaya Reconciliation Movement.
Thank you for both your EXAMPLE and your support!
Left to right: Chief Calvin Craigan, Kristen Berube, Nancy Denham and Retired Psychotherapist Diane Marshall
Naomi Bailey - Educator at VIU
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After 25 years of teaching in the areas of elementary, secondary and post-secondary I have come to realize the impact of intergenerational trauma with my Indigenous learners. I have tried to embrace, learn and put into practice some of the tools and methods used by healers and therapists from both Western and Eastern practices. But I have long recognized the importance and value of Indigenous culture as a mechanism for healing the spirit and mind.
Culture is the accumulated teachings of ancestors. It is the basis of traditions, customs, protocols, language, ways of knowing and being and connection to the land. The Knowledge Keepers, our Elders, are the ones who guide us through the journey of cultural learning and practice. When Kristen told me of her vision, I was immediately on board. Connecting Elders to the healing practice and offering mentorship to those who want to help others on their healing journey is critical to breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma. |
I have known Kristen in both a professional and personal capacity. She is an experienced counsellor and trained in many types of therapies. In addition, she incorporates Indigenous spiritual practices, using the knowledge she learned from a very young age. She is a perfect fit for developing this project.
The Restorative Wellness Project will provide opportunities for Elders, educators and students to share with compassion, learn from the wisdom of our Elders, and work together in the journey towards healing. I am very excited to see this vision become a reality.
The Restorative Wellness Project will provide opportunities for Elders, educators and students to share with compassion, learn from the wisdom of our Elders, and work together in the journey towards healing. I am very excited to see this vision become a reality.
Brett Hancock - District Principal
I would like to support the Restorative Wellness team in their dedicated work with students in partnership with Elders, knowledge keepers and other community professionals to help support students and families in our community with their culturally enhanced project. This program will provide spiritually and culturally enhanced content to support the growth and healing of our community. Our team of staff are eager to discuss how to assist students and/or staff in accessing these unique offerings.
The proposed partnership with educational institutions would allow our students to engage in project-based learning. Project-based learning opportunities offer options that can assist students in meeting the learning standards from courses such as Physical and Health Education, Arts Education, Social Studies, and English Language Arts. As an educator working with some of the most vulnerable student population in our community, I can attest to the need for intensive therapeutic support. The culturally and spiritually enriched group offerings through the Restorative Wellness Project's proposal align well with the First Peoples Principles of Learning, and could compliment current initiatives in education. Most importantly, this type of program, if offered to students would help support students struggling with difficult life circumstances, mental health challenges and/or traumatic histories. It takes a community to raise a child.
- Brett Hancock
(Educator)
The proposed partnership with educational institutions would allow our students to engage in project-based learning. Project-based learning opportunities offer options that can assist students in meeting the learning standards from courses such as Physical and Health Education, Arts Education, Social Studies, and English Language Arts. As an educator working with some of the most vulnerable student population in our community, I can attest to the need for intensive therapeutic support. The culturally and spiritually enriched group offerings through the Restorative Wellness Project's proposal align well with the First Peoples Principles of Learning, and could compliment current initiatives in education. Most importantly, this type of program, if offered to students would help support students struggling with difficult life circumstances, mental health challenges and/or traumatic histories. It takes a community to raise a child.
- Brett Hancock
(Educator)
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At Restorative, we gratefully enjoy guest teachings from growing list of other Keepers of Traditional Wisdom (Ancient Teachings)
Our Indigenous-led Wellness Programming celebrates and invites teachings from Judaism , Buddhist Practitioners, Monks, Master Healers, Sufist, Muslim & Christian insights into wellness and mindfulness. |
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