Save The Date: MWASW Annual Conference October 15 - 17, 2025
Opening Remarks – Graydon Nicholas
Mi’kmaq Wolastoqiyik Association of Social Workers – October 18, 2023, Conference and Mawiomi
– Graydon Nicholas
1. I want to thank you for inviting me for another year at your Conference and Mawiomi. I want to congratulate you for your growth and professional education process. I want to welcome all the speakers, resource persons and other guests.
2. You have invited me to your previous meetings, and I was always honoured and grateful to participate. Last year, I shared about my involvement in study entitled the No Child Left Behind, released on September 4, 2021, to improve the lives of our Indigenous persons who have thoughts of ending their lives.
3. There were 13 Calls to Action which involved systemic changes and required the resources to involve our Elders, Health Professionals, community leaders and volunteers to improve live for our people and communities.
4. I share with you the about Dr. Andrew Dutcher, a member of the Wolastoqey at Neqotkuk, who is psychiatrist, and studied at the University of Calgary. He now comes to our Territory to provide counselling. I would like to repeat that what he provided valuable information on mental wellness. The definition of mental health used by the health providers does not meet the reality of our people. We need to use the term mental wellness. Why? The definition of mental wellness is a balance of mental, physical, spiritual and emotion. This balance is enriched as individuals have: purpose in their daily lives whether it is through education, employment, care-giving activities, or cultural ways of being and doing; hope for their future and those of their families that is grounded in a sense of identity, unique indigenous values, having a belief in spirit; a sense of belonging and connectedness within their families, to community, and to culture; and finally a sense of meaning and understanding of how their lives and those of their families and communities are part of creation and rich history. [ First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Framework, Summary report, Health Canada, January 2026].
[13 Calls to Action] of No Child Left Behind.
Summary of Calls to Action [13 Calls to Action] of No Child Left Behind.
1) The Mi’kmaq, Peskotomuhkati, and Wolastoqey languages be formally recognized and supported by provincial legislation which:
a. Recognizes that these languages are the original languages of this territory, that Indigenous language rights are part of the Peace and Friendship Treaties and that these languages are currently endangered;
b. Recognizes that these languages are the original languages as fundamental and valued in New Brunswick culture and society;
c. Actively supports Indigenous languages revitalization through funding and programs provided by provincial government and / or in partnership with the federal government.
d. Affirms that the reclamation, preservation, revitalization and protection of Mi’kmaq, Peskotomuhkati and Wolastoqey languages are best undertaken by these Indigenous peoples and communities.
2) Culture as Foundation and a Two-Eyed Seeing approach should be used as the basis for implementing mental wellness, health and addictions services for Indigenous youth. Culturally relevant services and programming should be available for Indigenous youth and families though:
a. Co-development with Indigenous peoples and communities.
b. Indigenous-led community-based services as part of the continuum of services.
c. Provincial health and mental health program and services that meet the mental wellness needs of Indigenous people;
d. Enhanced collaboration between provincial health services First Nation communities and Indigenous organizations to ensure that Indigenous youth have a culturally safe and seamless experience when using health and mental health and wellness services.
3) The Province of New Brunswick and Indigenous communities and organizations work together to effect changes in health structures and processes, such as service design, policy, human and financial resources, programs and services delivery with the longer-term goal of cultural safety and improved mental health outcomes for Indigenous people.
4: Establish a Tripartite forum and an ongoing process involving Indigenous leaders, Directors and organizations, provincial and federal governments:
a. Develop a framework for culturally appropriate, competent and safe mental health and wellness services for Indigenous people;
b. Improve access, provision and cultural competency and safety of mental health and wellness services for Indigenous youth;
c. Include First Nation input and oversight on the Indigenous portion of funding and aspects of the Canada- NB Agreement on Mental Health and Addictions;
d. Establish sites(s) as Indigenous-led healing centre(s), (e.g., Lonewater Farm ) and enable success with provincial property tax reform and long-term funding for programming, staff training support, etc.
e. Provide integration of the provincial ISD teams and the Jordan’s Principle staff to better serve the needs of Indigenous children ad to create a cohesive jurisdictional approach to ensuring no gaps