Allison Fisher of the First Nation community of Wikwemikong is the Executive Director of Ottawa's Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health. She recently received the Order of Ontario for her work at the helm of the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health, creating a sense of place and belonging for Ottawa's Aboriginal population. Read her story.by Sofia Ramirez, Communications Lead, AOHC
#The "Good Life"
"Bimaadiziwin" is a concept of the Ojibwe people that intertwines culture, physical health and spiritual wellbeing. Bimaadiziwin, sometimes referred to as “the good life,” emphasizes the idea that individual health is inseparable from the health of the environment and from the health of the community. Traditionally, storytelling, dance and songs were used as instruments for relaying this Anishinaabe view of health and wellbeing.
In the not too distant past, legal efforts, like the Indian Act, attempted to suppress these cultural expressions. This was in spite of the fact that these songs and dances are linked to the heart and the health of the community. The result of enforcing the Indian Act was an erosion of both traditional practice, identity and the health of the people.
#Bringing the songs back
Allison Fisher, Executive Director of the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health in Ottawa, grew up under the yoke of the Indian Act in the community of Wikwemikong, located on Manitoulin Island. But in 1959, when Allison was five years old, her mother Rosemary Fisher got into a blue Chevrolet and drove across northern Ontario and the prairies to Saskatchewan “to bring the songs back.” She was drawn there because she had heard that traditional songs and dance were still being taught underground, and she did this at a time when Aboriginal people did not even have the right to vote.
This brave act was life changing and set the community on the path to healing. Shortly afterwards the Wikwemikong community celebrated its first public pow-wow, the first one revitalized in Eastern Ontario. “Seeing my mother bring back the pow-wow was when I first realized that I could do anything,” says Allison. “She made the space for us children to grow and achieve.”
In 1960, a slight change in the laws ‘allowed’ Aboriginal People to vote. Allison watched as those around her became politically active. The National Indian Brotherhood, now known as the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), became a political entity and became visibly active. AFN assemblies are held at least once a year and include seats for a chief from each of Canada’s First Nation communities.
#Wabano (Ojibwe): New Beginnings
Allison’s career path was not a straight line. She spent 17 years working in federal public service in Ottawa before deciding that she wanted to be more “hands on” with the community. She returned to school to pursue a Masters of Counselling Psychology at the University of Western Ontario thinking that she would end up working as a therapist in a remote community. Serendipity led her to Wabano.
An ill family member brought her to Ottawa and when the executive director job opening came up at Wabano, she took the interview as a practice interview. “I came to Wabano to practice, I didn’t really want a management job,” Allison recounts, “but I accepted the job because I understood that I was coming in at the beginning of something and that I would have the opportunity to see it grow.”
Allison also knew that life isn't easy for urban Aboriginal people, especially those far away from home communities and culture. She saw the opportunity to do what she calls the “people’s work,” she wanted to share the community experience that she had growing up. “It was a sense of community and belonging that I could bring to the centre.”
Now, almost 15 years later at the helm of the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health, Allison has helped to create a place of belonging and caring for Ottawa’s Aboriginal population. The centre, has experienced significant growth and expansion. Last May, Wabano opened the doors of a newly designed building; with 25-thousand square feet including space for health care and cultural programming. Wabano now serves over 10,000 Aboriginal people each year.
"This space has given us the opportunity to engage the community. It has changed the narrative of the people here. This building tells how we see ourselves, and how we want to see ourselves. It serves the same function that my mother’s blue Chevrolet did,” says Allison. “We are bringing back culture, health and belonging to people that might feel disconnected in the city. We bring hope.”
The centre also symbolizes the support of many people and Allison’s dedication; for which she was recently recognized. Earlier this year, Allison received the Order of Ontario, “the province’s highest official honour that recognizes the highest level of individual excellence and achievement.” But this award comes among many others that she has already received, including the Order of Ottawa.
Allison Fisher doesn’t take credit for the acknowledgments. Instead, she credits her community. “We are profoundly proud of who we are not only as a person, but as a people. These awards are truly the honour of all, a reflection of my community.”
#Culture as healing
There is much work at Wabano still ahead for Allison and her team. She identifies child and youth mental health as one of the biggest challenges for the community. A recent report from a survey, supported by the Champlain LHIN, shows alarming statistics about the issues that Aboriginal children and youth are facing, and their mental health needs.
More than 300 Aboriginal youth took part in the study which showed that Aboriginal youth report higher rates of depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and substance abuse than their non-Aboriginal peers. They experience poverty, violence, food insecurity, racism and discrimination and are more likely to report symptoms of mental health issues. They were also not accessing services.
Programming, such as “Culture Nights” at Wabano and other activities have been created with youth in mind and have become quite popular. Youth want to be part of the community. This sense of belonging, of identity, that is achieved by bringing youth back to their own stories, dance and songs is vitaly important. Culture as healing is Wabano's motto. Culture has been the path back and the channel for "Bimaadiziwin" and makes possible a better future for this next generation; as it did for the last.
#“Songs were created for voices to be heard" (listen to Miigwetch Notowinon from the Women of Wabano cd)
#How Wabano supports youth
- Wabano offers culturally-based mental health and addictions supports to Aboriginal children and youth. Services include crisis management, system navigation and case management, one-on-one counselling, talking and healing circles, child and family art therapy, and life skills education.
- To improve cultural competency and sensitivity of service providers, Wabano provides training for health professionals, Ottawa Police Services, Children’s Aid Society and other community service agencies on issues impacting the mental health and wellbeing of Aboriginal children, youth and families, and how they can incorporate culturally-safe practices into their work.
#Upcoming at Wabano:
ABORIGINAL PERSPECTIVES ON CHILD AND YOUTH MENTAL HEALTHClosing the Circle: Youth and Families Journey to Wellness, May 29-30, 2014Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health, 299 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON
FEATURED GUEST SPEAKERS:
Martin Brokenleg (Lakota), Ed.D., Co-founder of the Circle of Courage, International Presenter for Reclaiming Youth International, Emeritus Professor, the Vancouver School of TheologySheila Watt-Cloutier (Inuk), Canadian Inuit Activist, Nominee for the Nobel Peace PrizeMaria Campbell (Métis), Elder, Writer, Playwright, and Teacher
…And many more First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Elders, Scholars, and Educators
TRAINING TOPICS INCLUDE:• Aboriginal Family Structures Pre- and Post- Colonization• Historical Trauma and Impacts on Aboriginal Youth and Families• The importance of Culture, Environment, and Language in the Wellbeing of Aboriginal Youth and Families• Youth Resiliency: Cultural and Spiritual Needs• Working with Aboriginal Youth and Families within Child Welfare, Public Schools, Health Care, and Criminal Justice Systems• Understanding Aboriginal Wellness Model
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Addictions, mental health, and health care professionals, teachers, police officers, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, child and youth workers, child protection workers, and post-secondary students who:• Work with Aboriginal youth and their families and/or would like to incorporate culturally-safe practices into their services• Want to understand the issues that impact wellness of Aboriginal youth in Canada and learn about Aboriginal concepts of health and healing
Cynthia Ashkewe613-748-0657613-748-0657 ext 311cashkewe@wabano.com
