Thunderbird Partnership Foundation
Thunderbird Partnership Foundation
Ep 26: The Talking Stick with Cecile McKay
Ep 26: The Talking Stick with Cecile McKay
Ep 26: The Talking Stick with Cecile McKay
Monday 4th November 2024
Discover how the Talking Stick program offers anonymous, culturally grounded support for Indigenous communities through digital peer advocacy.
39 minutes
Supportive
Informative
Hopeful
Compassionate
Encouraging
About this podcast
Author:
Thunderbird Partnership Foundation
Overview:
Categories:
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Sobriety Toolkit
Family Recovery from Addiction
Navigating Intimate Relationships
Holistic Health Innovations
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Episodes:
26 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!Empowering Indigenous Voices: The Talking Stick Program
Episode Overview
- The Talking Stick program provides anonymous, quick access to emotional support.
- Peer advocates share lived experiences and cultural backgrounds with users.
- The platform addresses issues like loneliness, grief, and vaccine hesitancy.
- Cultural practices are integrated into the support provided by the program.
- The program aims to expand and build more partnerships across Canada.
Our peer advocates are supportive listeners. They're not mental therapists. They have the same lived experiences.
Join Carol Hopkins in this episode of Mino Bimaadiziwin as she chats with Cecile McKay, the Saskatchewan Director of the Talking Stick program. Cecile shares how this innovative digital peer support tool is making a significant impact on Indigenous communities by providing quick, anonymous access to emotional support. The Talking Stick program, developed by Tricycle, a Canadian digital health company, connects users with Indigenous peer advocates who offer compassionate listening and shared cultural experiences.
Cecile discusses the origins of the program, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic to address vaccine hesitancy and has since evolved to tackle loneliness, grief, and more. She explains how the platform works, emphasising its ease of use and anonymity, which allows users to connect without fear of judgment. Cecile also highlights the cultural significance of the Talking Stick and how it plays a role in the program's name and approach.
Through personal anecdotes and broader reflections, this episode sheds light on the importance of culturally grounded support systems for Indigenous peoples. If you're curious about how digital tools can bridge gaps in mental health services or want to learn more about Indigenous-led initiatives, this episode is a must-listen.