The Feather Carriers: Leadership for Life Promotion initiative seeks to mobilize Indigenous communit su***de) in our communities.
The Feather Carriers: Leadership for Life Promotion initiative was born out of a connection to the land, waters and Indigenous communities surrounding the southern watershed of Manido’wi zaagaiaagan (Spirit Lake) - Georgian Bay and Wawaseyaaguming (Shining Lake) - Lake Simcoe. These waters have historically sustained the lives of the Wendat and currently bring life to the Anishinaabe and Haudenos
aunee. Who, through various agreements generously share this life with newcomers from all corners of Mother Earth. The FNMI communities in this region were looking for additional supports and resources related to su***de prevention. As a result, Dr. Ed Connors, Traditional Healer John Rice and Dr. Debby Wilson Danard developed the year-long Feather Carriers: Leadership for Life Promotion training in 2015. The initiative was also developed with the support from local Indigenous communities and Indigenous organizations, such as the Bamaadisiwin Mental Health and Addictions Planning Circle, Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle and Enaahtig Outreach Mental Health Team. Collectively, the training is an approach that speaks to the heart and minds of people working with First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) individuals and families who are at risk of unnatural premature death, as well as supporting loss survivors. Gathered from all directions, Feather Carriers brings the knowledge and experience of the whole community into practice. It builds on the values and belief that in this present time, life is worth living. As such, the training aspect of the initiative supports the development of community leaders through Indigenous knowledge and cultural understandings of life promotion, so they can continue to promote life and prevent premature death (i.e.
