March 31, 2023 —Since time immemorial Indigenous communities have faced crises from natural disasters to human conflict. During these times, Nations were self-supported with individuals who were mentored on how to handle these types of scenarios. There were some who received teachings on the fire to ensure forest fires did not endanger human lives and were contained, while others became warriors and peacekeepers to handle conflict when it arose within and between nations.
In modern times we now face man-made disasters and crises caused directly by colonization such as mental health issues and flooding; for a long time we relied on Canadian institutions to provide support during these times of need. Something needed to change or rather, we needed to return to the original roles of the past. To answer the call for Indigenous led community support, ISN Maskwa stepped up.
The inherent duties, responsibilities, and commitment to the support of our communities remains the same among many Indigenous people. Many also have the lived experience of healing through the many issues that Nations now face. ISN Maskwa has built a team of individuals with the sense of duty and lived experience to help their relations. Through training provided by ISN Maskwa leadership, we hone our abilities and utilize what is already in our toolkits to provide best-in-class support that cannot be found anywhere else. These training sessions are ongoing and we hope to add more and more great people to the team as time goes on.
ISN Maskwa believes that Nations helping Nations is key to providing culturally humble care as our team engages and meets the needs of a community. ISN Maskwa also strives to respect a community’s customs, spirituality, and protocols. One of the key goals of ISN Maskwa is to build capacity within Nations so that they can manage and lead when a crisis arises within their own Nation or that of a neighbours.
There is nothing more rewarding however, than getting to know our relations as we provide support. Particularly, seeing them smile and laugh as they go through a difficult time in their lives, and the pride one feels when watching them go back home to their Nation safe and sound and knowing we played a part in keeping them safe.
I am more than honoured to be a part of a diverse team of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people who provide expertise from their own lives and professional backgrounds. From firefighters, to former police officers, and mental health workers, from the young to the wise, from leadership to personnel, we are there to provide the best in compassionate Indigenous led community support. ISN Maskwa: Compassion on the Ground.
Author Bio
Will Landon (Waabishkigaabo) is a nationally recognized mental health advocate and leader, a freelance writer, and he holds a Bachelor of Arts. He takes time when he can to enter deployments as a Community Support Personnel and Supervisor with ISN Maskwa, providing his expertise in mental health and relationship building where he can. His goal while on deployment is to provide compassionate support for the Nations and their people when in need.
