Episode 8: Neurodecolonization and Indigenous Mindfulness with Dr. Michael Yellow Bird

Holly and Brenda are thrilled to welcome Dr. Michael Yellow Bird as our guest on this episode of pihtikwe. He is a proud member of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation in North Dakota, and he is a Professor at the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Manitoba. There his research focuses on the effects of colonization and methods of decolonization, ancestral health, intermittent fasting, Indigenous mindfulness and the cultural significance of Rez dogs.

He is also the founder, director, and principal investigator of The Centre for Mindful Decolonization and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba.  Along with his many academic achievements, he is also the author of a number of acclaimed books including his most recent: "Decolonizing Pathways to Integrative Healing in Social Work."

Our Hosts: 

Dr. Brenda Restoule is an Anishinabe-kwe and member of Dokis First Nation in the Robinson Huron Treaty. She is a Registered Clinical Psychologist in Ontario who works in First Nation communities and also leads the First Peoples Wellness Circle, an Indigenous led national not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to raising the profile of Indigenous mental wellness using Indigenous Knowledge and evidence.

Dr. Holly Graham is a member of the Thunderchild First Nation in Saskatchewan. She holds an academic appointment at the University of Saskatchewan. She also has an Indigenous Research Chair in Nursing. She has worked as a Registered Nurse in northern communities and is a Registered Doctoral Psychologist. 

Our Purpose:

The purpose of our podcast series is to mobilize and share Indigenous Knowledge related to trauma repair, recovery from addictions, community survivance, and care across Indigenous communities in Canada.  Our goal is to provide listeners with access to conversations about the lived experiences of First Nations psychologists and leaders in the mental wellness field. We will discuss how that relates to challenges and successes in navigating and working within systems of care, as well as strength-based and cultural approaches to healing for Indigenous people. 

The podcast episodes will discuss topics related to: 

1) Strength-based approaches to care  

2) Challenges and successes in the field  

3) Personal perspectives and experiences; and  

4) Analysis of the systems of care  

This podcast series is developed by the Healing from Trauma and Reducing Addictions group, part of the Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (ON NEIHR) Program. Situated in 10 sites across Ontario, ON NEIHR is demonstrating how health systems should move away from Western biomedical treatment of Indigenous medical illness to holistic, culturally based interventions instead (which include sacred aspects of healing: physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental dimensions). This program is funded by the Government of Canada, through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). This group is led by Dr. Holly Graham (University of Saskatchewan), Dr. Brenda Restoule (First Peoples Wellness Circle), and Dr. Alanaise Ferguson (University of British Columbia-Okanagan). This project aims to centre the voices of Indigenous experts and leaders working in the mental wellness field to promote collective learning and mobilize knowledge to support Indigenous well-being. 

pihtikwê is produced by David McGuffin of Explore Podcast Productions. Assistant Producer: Graham McGuffin. Our theme music is Kâkike, written and performed by Fawn Wood, an award winning Cree-Salish musician and songwriter. You can learn more about her music at fawnwood.ca