Creating environments for Indigenous youth to live & succeed | Tunchai Redvers | TEDxKitchenerED

Summary

This video emphasizes the importance of creating supportive environments for Indigenous youth, addressing the negative effects of colonialism and systemic barriers they face. The speaker, Lana Daya, uses the metaphor of a house to illustrate how youth are impacted by oppression and trauma but also highlights the potential for positive change through empowerment and cultural affirmation. Practical steps for supporting Indigenous youth include understanding their history, providing platforms for their voices, and supporting Indigenous-led initiatives. The message calls for collective responsibility in nurturing environments that allow Indigenous youth to thrive.

Takeaways

• 😀 Indigenous youth face the highest rates of addiction, abuse, violence, school dropouts, and suicide in Canada, with suicide rates being 5 to 11 times higher than non-Indigenous youth.
• 😀 The We Matter campaign was launched in October 2016 to support Indigenous youth by providing hope and life promotion, helping them overcome struggles.
• 😀 Indigenous youth are the fastest growing demographic in Canada, making it crucial to address the high rates of negative issues they face for the future of the country.
• 😀 Acknowledging and addressing the oppressive structures that impact Indigenous communities, such as systemic racism, residential schools, and land removal, is essential for change.
• 😀 Indigenous youth often internalize trauma and struggle with mental health issues, self-esteem, and identity, which are worsened by the lack of culturally appropriate resources.
• 😀 Creating a supportive environment for Indigenous youth requires affirming their strengths, providing relatable role models, and fostering local and national narratives that focus on positivity and hope.
• 😀 Indigenous youth need to see more positive role models in various fields (e.g., musicians, doctors, politicians) to inspire them and show them that success is possible.
• 😀 It’s important to break the norms that make it difficult to talk about complex issues like mental health and abuse, allowing Indigenous youth to feel comfortable seeking help.
• 😀 Effective mental health and well-being resources for Indigenous youth must be rooted in Indigenous perspectives, focusing on tradition, land, language, and culture.
• 😀 To build a better environment for Indigenous youth, everyone can take action by learning about their history, supporting Indigenous-led initiatives, and advocating for the inclusion of Indigenous youth voices in decision-making.
• 😀 Supporting Indigenous youth requires ongoing investment in culturally relevant programs, mentorship, and resources that affirm their identity and values, while challenging harmful stereotypes in media and public discourse.

Q & A

What is the We Matter campaign and who started it?

The We Matter campaign is a national multimedia initiative aimed at communicating with Indigenous youth who may be struggling, encouraging them to keep moving forward. It was started by Lana Day and her brother in October 2016.

Why was the We Matter campaign created?

The campaign was created to address the high rates of addiction, abuse, violence, school dropouts, and suicide among Indigenous youth in Canada, who die by suicide at a rate 5 to 11 times higher than non-Indigenous Canadians.

What metaphor does the speaker use to explain the impact of colonialism on Indigenous youth?

The speaker uses the metaphor of a house. The roof and foundation represent colonial structures like oppression and racism, while the furniture and appliances symbolize the everyday struggles Indigenous youth face, such as loss of culture, violence, mental health issues, and trauma.

What does the speaker mean by 'living inside a house' in the context of the challenges Indigenous youth face?

Living inside the house refers to Indigenous youth growing up in a system influenced by colonialism, where they internalize negative aspects like trauma, violence, and hopelessness, all while lacking the resources to cope or escape these circumstances.

How can society help change the current environment for Indigenous youth?

Society can help by creating a nurturing and supportive environment for Indigenous youth. This includes fostering positive media narratives, promoting role models, providing culturally appropriate resources, and supporting Indigenous-led initiatives.

What is the importance of Indigenous youth seeing positive role models?

It is important for Indigenous youth to see positive role models in various fields like music, acting, and politics because it helps them believe that success is possible for them, both personally and culturally.

What are some of the societal norms that hinder the well-being of Indigenous youth?

One societal norm is the stigma surrounding mental health and abuse, making it difficult for youth to talk about their struggles. Another norm is the prevalence of Western-based supports, which often do not address the unique needs and cultural perspectives of Indigenous youth.

What are three things individuals can do to support Indigenous youth?

1. Learn about and understand the historic and present context of Indigenous communities. 2. Actively honor Indigenous youth's strengths by promoting their voices and including them in decision-making. 3. Support Indigenous-led programs and resources, particularly those rooted in tradition and culture.

How can individuals engage with Indigenous youth and their communities?

Individuals can engage by asking youth what they need, supporting their events, sharing positive media, and promoting local and national narratives that highlight the beauty and strengths of Indigenous communities.

Why is it crucial to support Indigenous-led initiatives and youth programs?

Supporting Indigenous-led initiatives and youth programs is essential because these programs are rooted in the culture, language, and traditions of Indigenous communities, making them more relevant and effective in addressing the needs and challenges Indigenous youth face.