Responsibility for Reconciliation with Indigenous Communities

We recognize that working with Indigenous community is an honor and privilege, and we value all Indigenous cultures, traditions, teachings, and worldviews. Recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) have been embedded in the Sacred Pathways Integrative Services Inc. program, and the aim of the program is to break the cycle of intergenerational trauma and reduce the number of children in care by engaging families in rich cultural practices and intensive, evidence-based therapeutic intervention.

Collaborative Approach

We believe that working collaboratively with Indigenous communities, government, and large systems can create positive change. Collaboration provides opportunities for greater understanding, development of a shared vision, and creation of a path forward that is best for everyone.

Trauma-Informed Approach (including brain development)

We acknowledge that parents love their children and do their best to provide for their children’s needs. When trauma occurs, it hinders all aspects of a persons served’s development. Persons served need to understand the impacts of trauma, how this trauma affects their brain and development, and heal from their experiences so they can achieve safety and security.

Harm Reduction

Sacred Pathways Integrative Services Inc. believes in the humanistic approach to harm reduction and works to incorporate this into daily interventions, education, and safety planning with the persons served we serve. By providing tools and resources, staff will assist in reducing risk for both the persons served and the community.

Strength-Based Approach and Language

We recognize that all people have strengths. Focusing on strengths increases one's capacity and ability to weather difficulties in the future. Changing the language, we use to interact with persons served helps to challenge their existing paradigms, creating openings for respectful, trusting and workable relationships.

Relationship Based Interventions

We believe that creating positive and healthy relationships with persons served is the catalyst to change. Persons served want healthy relationships with adults and by using intentional interactions and consistent and supportive messaging relationships will be formed and change can begin.

Attachment Building Interventions

At Sacred Pathways Integrative Services Inc., we recognize that there are many different types of attachment and that the type that the persons served has experienced will determine the interventions utilized by the program to facilitate changing their world view and creating connection.

Community Collaboration

We believe that working collaboratively with Indigenous communities, government, and large systems can create positive change. Collaboration provides opportunities for greater understanding, development of a shared vision, and creation of a path forward that is best for everyone.

The Role of Elders and Knowledge Keepers

We honour the importance Elders and Knowledge Keepers have in teaching and guiding Indigenous people. Elders and Knowledge Keepers provide a connection to their people’s history, land, teachings, traditions, and practices which are essential in understanding who they were as a people prior to the colonization of their lands. Having a strong understanding as Indigenous people before colonialism, and having the opportunity to engage in cultural practices, are critical for Indigenous people in the formation of an individual’s identity.

Holistic Understanding of Health and Healing

We recognize that wellness must focus on physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellness as identified by the Medicine Wheel.

Respect for Cultural Diversity

We acknowledge that all Indigenous communities are unique and must be celebrated and respected. Persons served will be supported to engage in traditions and practices from their community.

Traditional Parenting Practices

We believe that traditional parenting practices are important for Indigenous communities in building attachments between parents and children and developing a bond with Mother Earth.

Use of Evidence-Based Western Healing Practices

We believe that western healing practices focused on healing trauma are essential in helping people develop a sense of safety, security, and trust in themselves and others.