Youth guiding the path for Tikinagan’s services

For Sandy Lake’s Nathan Linklater, it’s been one incredible month.

In August, he traveled with five youth to Toronto on a Tikinagan trip that included shopping and tourist attractions, followed by a cultural camp with youth in care from across the province.

When he got home, he was accepted to join Noodawishinaam Oshkiniigiwag (Hear Us Youth), as the eighth member of Tikinagan’s youth team.

Two weeks later, he was addressing 30 First Nation Chiefs and delegates at Tikinagan’s Annual Chief Assembly hosted by Keewaywin First Nation in Thunder Bay, September 4-5.

After spending more than a decade in care, Nathan, 17, is now advocating for children and youth in care. Along with other team members he had just met, Noodawishinaam Oshkiniigiwag spoke about the importance of mental health supports.

From their own personal experiences, Nathan and the team highlighted the struggles youth face.

“We’ve lost so many youth to suicide,” said Nathan. “Being in care, being disconnected from your community and family, are huge risk factors for depression, loneliness, anxiety, and a generally low wellbeing. We need more mental health supports, more preventative services, rather than treating something after the fact. This includes both children and youth in care and those not in care.”

As part of the team’s four recommendations to Tikinagan, they encouraged workers to build relationships and trust with children and youth.

“In order for us to feel supported, workers need to have empathy and compassion for us. This goes a long way because we depend on them. Often, we are scared to say something. We need workers to create a place of safety.”

Part of that relationship building involves an informal approach that includes doing activities not always required by workers, he added.

“Don’t just give me paper and tell me my rights. Be casual. More importantly, talk to us in ways we can understand, especially us young kids. We’re not adults, and we shouldn’t have to mature at the age of six.”

After Noodawishinaam Oshkiniigiwag finished their presentation, they received praise and a standing ovation from some of the Chiefs in attendance.

Later that day, Tikinagan Board Chair Lorraine Crane presented the Oneesh Tamkey award to Noodawishinaam Oshkiniigiwag. The award is presented annually at the agency’s assembly to recognize the people who have made valuable contributions to Tikinagan’s development, and within the 30 First Nations that Tikinagan serves.

“At Tikinagan, we value the voice of our youth,” said Crane. “That’s why we wanted to hear from them at this meeting. We want to follow their direction, and as supporters at the back of the boat, we will help steer Tikinagan’s services based on what they see ahead. They are the ones at the front of the boat with lived experience, the ones closely connected to the very children and youth we support.

“Some of them have been in care their whole life, others just a few days. Some team members have never been in care but know firsthand the realities and issues our youth today face, including suicide and mental health. Some are teachers, nurses, students, and mothers. Today, we heard those experiences shared with us, and I am thankful for their commitment to making lives better.”

Noodawishinaam Oshkiniigiwag will continue to practice their commitment to children and youth as they plan for their next in-person meeting at the end of September in Winnipeg. As a team, they will work together on current projects, develop their team and plan new ideas for the future.