About Healing Our Spirit Worldwide
Healing Our Spirit Worldwide is a non-profit organization that aims to promote the health and well-being of First Nations people in British Columbia, Canada. The organization is affiliated with the BC First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), which is the first province-wide health authority of its kind in Canada.
The FNHA was established in 2013 as part of a historic agreement between the Government of British Columbia and BC First Nations. The goal was to create a new health governance structure that would better meet the needs of First Nations communities across the province. The FNHA operates under a unique mandate that recognizes and respects Indigenous knowledge, values, and traditions.
Healing Our Spirit Worldwide works closely with the FNHA to support its mission of improving health outcomes for First Nations people in BC. The organization provides culturally safe programs and services that are designed to address both physical and mental health issues.
One key area of focus for Healing Our Spirit Worldwide is mental wellness. Many Indigenous people have experienced intergenerational trauma as a result of colonialism, residential schools, forced relocation, and other forms of systemic oppression. This trauma can manifest as depression, anxiety, addiction, or other mental health challenges.
To address these issues, Healing Our Spirit Worldwide offers a range of programs that incorporate traditional healing practices such as smudging ceremonies, sweat lodges, drumming circles, and talking circles. These programs are led by Elders who have extensive knowledge about Indigenous healing practices.
In addition to mental wellness programs, Healing Our Spirit Worldwide also provides support for physical wellness through initiatives such as healthy eating workshops and fitness classes. The organization recognizes that many Indigenous people face barriers to accessing healthy food options due to factors such as poverty or living in remote communities without access to fresh produce.
To address these challenges head-on, Healing Our Spirit Worldwide partners with local farmers' markets and community gardens to provide fresh fruits and vegetables at affordable prices. They also offer cooking classes where participants can learn how to prepare nutritious meals using traditional ingredients like wild salmon or bison meat.
Overall, Healing Our Spirit Worldwide plays an important role in promoting holistic wellness among First Nations people in British Columbia. By incorporating traditional healing practices into their programming while also addressing contemporary health challenges like diabetes or heart disease through innovative initiatives like community gardens or cooking classes - they are helping build healthier communities from within while preserving cultural heritage at same time!