First Nations communities adopting train-the-trainer model to help members heal together

A message from the FNHA's Office of the Chief Medical Officer

The FNHA's Healing Indigenous Hearts team has been travelling to First Nations communities around BC training community members to run grief support groups related to the toxic drug emergency. Composed of members of the FNHA's Office of the Chief Medical Officer (OCMO), with Cowichan Tribes Elder Doreen Peter serving as cultural advisor, the team trains those whose loved ones have died from toxic drug poisoning to be peer leaders or facilitators of support groups for others who have been left behind in this way. 

The aim of these groups is to help Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) people heal together as they share stories and memories of their loved ones in a culturally safe environment without shame or judgement.

In 2024, the Healing Indigenous Hearts team led facilitator training sessions in six communities across the province. The sessions have been well attended and well received, with some community members already starting bi-weekly support groups of their own. Between January and May 2025, our team is scheduled to provide four more training sessions in other communities in the Vancouver Island, Interior, and Northern regions.

Our most recent facilitator training session was held in Sts'ailes / Chehalis First Nation from November 27 to 29, 2024. It was filled with warmth, compassion, and wisdom. Each participant demonstrated incredible resilience and a willingness to engage in this challenging yet meaningful work. We are deeply grateful to each participant for making the training such a memorable experience.

Elder Pat Charlie opened the Sts'ailes meeting with a beautiful prayer. She gave thanks to the Creator for opportunities like this to come together with one heart and one mind, with an open heart, to talk about the things we need to discuss.

Grief support in community takes a multigenerational approach that is foundational to our work. Elders are instrumental in leading and providing wisdom and guidance; adults serve as champions of healing and help create safe spaces; and youth represent the future of healing.

Elder Doreen Peter, who co-leads the facilitator training sessions with Corrina Chase, FNHA OCMO Addictions Partnership Manager, said, “It's important to integrate traditional knowledge and ceremonies into the healing process, and to teach younger generations how to carry this work forward. Being present for others in a meaningful way, with culture and traditions, can be transformational."

Champions from several communities in the Fraser Salish Region participated and are stepping into leadership roles to provide grief support. They say this training is empowering participants to support their families, friends, and communities. Following is some of the feedback we've received from various participants.  

“I'm grateful that the community can come together and share something to collectively support ourselves and others. This training has given me a greater appreciation of what it means to do heart-centered work. During the training we were able to be present and hold safe spaces for others to share their vulnerability."

“As a First Nations youth, the training has strengthened my sense of identity, leadership, and connection to community. I'm enthusiastic about using what I've learned to support peers and family members."

“The highlight of facilitating Healing Indigenous Hearts training sessions is getting to listen and hear without opinion – a lot of people just need to be heard. The training is worth it as it empowers us to support our people. There are people who need to be listened to. If you get involved, don't think you need to problem solve, just listen and care."

If you would like more information about how to access, register for, support, or bring Healing Indigenous Hearts facilitator training to your community, email us at cmo.office@fnha.ca. It is through the compassion and strength of spirit of volunteer facilitators that we can honour the lives lost and support the healing of those left behind.