“I truly believe that our workforce are specialists in addressing trauma, colonial harms and violence, and bringing about healing.”
In this first episode of Rekindling the Fire, host Rachel Robinson sits down with Dr. Brenda Restoule to explore Indigenous mental wellness, community care, and the people who hold space for healing in First Nations communities.
Drawing on more than 25 years of experience, Dr. Restoule reflects on the strength of the Indigenous mental wellness workforce, the role of land, water, culture, and lived experience in healing, and the realities of working within systems not designed for Indigenous ways of caring. Together, they discuss responsibility for worker wellness at individual, organizational, and system levels—and what it truly means to live well while caring for others.
This conversation sets the tone for the series: grounded in hope, belonging, meaning, and purpose.
Dr. Brenda Restoule is Ojibwe from Dokis First Nation and a registered clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience supporting First Nations communities. She is the Chief Executive Officer of First Peoples Wellness Circle, an Indigenous-led national organization advancing healing and wellness through culture, traditional knowledge, and Two-Eyed Seeing. Her work spans community mental wellness, addictions, crisis response, and systems leadership.
Rekindling the Fire is a podcast by First Peoples Wellness Circle, created for and with the Indigenous mental wellness workforce. Each episode honors those who walk alongside others in healing and explores what it takes to sustain wellness in this vital work.
Produced by David McGuffin and Clare McGuffin of ExploreProductions.ca
Music by Nagamo Publishing
www.fpwc.ca / info@fpwc.ca / Facebook / X.com / LinkedIn
The content contained within this resource includes both the strengths of First Nations as well as the trauma they have faced as a result of colonialism. As those who have been most impacted
by colonialism are at different stages of healing, some listeners may feel activated by some of the information. The following resources and supports are included to help those who may have strong
reactions to the content. We share our message of hope and recognize that wellness and self-care are important and should be prioritized.
1. National Indian Residential School Crisis Line for former Indian Residential School students: 1-866-925-4419 2. A Hope for Wellness Helpline:1-855-242-3310 or https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/ 3. Talk Suicide: 1-833-456-4566 or https://talksuicide.ca/ 4. 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 9-8-8 toll free, any time, 24/7/365. https://988.ca/
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