Supporting Healing and Wellness for Survivors and Families
Ontario Akwesasne, April 2, 2026
Photo courtesy of: Bigstone Community Wellness
The initiative focuses onproviding culturally grounded health and wellness supports for individuals and families affected by the Sixties Scoop. By combining traditional knowledge with accessible health services, the program helps participants address the emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental impacts of intergenerational trauma.
A Holistic Approach to Healing
The program offers a wide rangeof culturally guided healing opportunities that reflect the diverse needs and beliefs of Survivors and their families. Participants are able to connect with Elders and Traditional Healers, participate in ceremonies, and engage in land-based cultural practices.
For more information on Bigstone Community Wellness
https://bigstonehealth.ca/community-wellness/
Healing activities may include sweat lodge ceremonies, medicine picking, fasting, and other traditional teachings that support spiritual and emotional renewal. In addition to these cultural practices, participants can access psychological counselling, addictions recovery supports, and mental health services. By creating space for both traditional and clinical supports, the program recognizes that healing journeys are personal and unique for each Survivor and family member.
Cultural Gatherings and Community Connection
Photo courtesy of: Bigstone Community Wellness
Community gatherings play an important role in restoring relationships and strengthening cultural identity. Through workshops, training sessions, and cultural events, participants come together to share stories, learn from one another, and celebrate traditions.
Photo courtesy of: Bigstone Community Wellness
Photo courtesy of: Bigstone Community Wellness
The initiative also supports the practical needs that make healing participation possible. Cultural materials and ceremonial supplies such as smudge kits, tobacco, and broadcloth are provided when needed, along with assistance for travel, accommodations, meals, and honoraria for Elders and knowledge keepers.
Building Capacity and Supporting Survivors
A key goal of the program is to strengthen the capacity of the Bigstone Community Health Society to continue supporting Survivors, their families, and future generations. Through training, workshops, and community awareness initiatives, the organization is building knowledge and resources that help sustain culturally safe services over the long term.
Photo courtesy of: Bigstone Community Wellness
Participants are also encouraged to engage in storytelling and truth-telling, sharing their experiences in ways that honour their resilience and ensure that these histories are not forgotten. Strengthening Families and Cultural Continuity At its core, the Sixties Scoop Survivors and Family Healing Initiative is about restoring connections between individuals, families, culture, and community. Through ceremony, shared learning, and culturally grounded care, Survivors and their loved ones are supported in rebuilding relationships that may have been disrupted by displacement and colonial systems.
Photo courtesy of: Bigstone Community Wellness
Through programs like this, the Bigstone Community Health Society continues to support Sixties Scoop Survivors in reclaiming culture, restoring balance, and moving forward with strength and resilience.
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For more information on the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada, please visit our website here: https://www.sixtiesscoophealingfoundation.ca/