Land as Medicine: Healing Pathways for Sixties Scoop Survivors

Ontario Akwesasne, Febraury 20, 2026

The First Light Friendship Center is advancing culturally grounded healing through its program Land as Medicine: Healing Pathways for Sixties Scoop Survivors aninitiative designed to address the intergenerational impacts of displacement, trauma, and cultural loss.

For many Sixties Scoop Survivors and their families, separation from land, language, and community created lasting disruptions to identity and belonging. This program responds directly to those realities by creating meaningful opportunities for holistic healing and cultural reconnection within an urban environment.

Photo Credit: First Light Friendship Center

At the heart of the initiative is the establishment of a full-time Cultural Support Worker position. This dedicated role ensures consistent, culturally informed support for Survivors and their families. Drawing on expertise in Indigenous cultural practices, trauma-informed care, and community engagement, the Cultural Support Worker leads healing circles, coordinates traditional ceremonies, and provides individualized support grounded in respect, safety, and relational accountability.

Photo Credit: First Light Friendship Center

Program activities are rooted in Indigenous traditions andtailored to the specific needs of Sixties Scoop Survivors. Participants engage in:
Peer support groups
Sweat lodge ceremonies
Drumming sessions
Traditional crafting and cultural practices
Community gatherings and shared healing spaces

By centring land-based and cultural teachings even within an urban setting the program reinforces that connection to culture is not confined to geography; it lives within community, ceremony, and shared experience. These collective healing spaces foster resilience, support identity reclamation, and strengthen participants’ sense of belonging.

Photo Credit: First Light Friendship Center

Recognizing that this work carries emotional weight, First Light has also embedded wellness supports for its staff team. Access tocounselling, wellness workshops, and peer support ensures that those holding space for Survivors are themselves supported promoting staff resilience and preventing burnout. This integrated approach reflects an understanding that sustainable healing requires care at every level of the organization.

Photo Credit: First Light Friendship Center

‍Land as Medicine embodies First Light’s commitment to community-driven, culturally responsive healing. By providing Survivors and their families with consistent and meaningful opportunities to reconnect with their roots, the program contributes to long-term health, wellness, and cultural revitalization. Ultimately, this initiative creates a safe and empowering environment where Sixties Scoop Survivors can heal, reclaim their stories, and strengthen community ties affirming that reconnection to land and culture remains a powerful pathway toward restoration and renewal.