Traditional healing liaison looks to make cultural connections

Kellie Grace knows how important it is to have a meaningful connection to her culture.

That is why she is invested to help others make that same connection in providing wrap around supports for individuals and families in their ‘circle of care.'

As the traditional healing liaison at the Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC) in Waterloo Wellington, Grace provides advocacy on behalf of families and clients when it comes to the importance of their connection to culture.

“We run under an Aboriginal health Access umbrella. The Indigenous informed model of care recognizes that Indigenous people have the right to the determination of health and the importance of having access to traditional healers and healing approaches, ,” Grace said.

“The model also recognizes the importance of the interconnectedness of the individual, the family, the nation, the environment, and the spirit world within our life support system. Having a connection to culture is part of the healing treatment process, whether that be physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually."

Grace says many people have experienced a loss of culture due to historical trauma, colonization, assimilation and racism.

“And many people had to hide or deny that they were Indigenous. This has impacted generations. Many are displaced from their culture. They are confused and unsure. This has caused teachings and languages to be lost,” Grace said.

“It’s like a piece of a puzzle missing from a person. Some people have been disconnected from their culture."

That is why, Grace says, people need a supportive, accessible and safe program and space to access culture and tradition.

SOAHAC provides a wide range of wellness services to First Nations, Inuit and Métis people including traditional healing, cultural programs, community development initiatives, social support services, mental health and addictions services.

Clinical services include primary health care, diabetes education, nutrition and Aboriginal midwifery.

“As a traditional healing liaison, I provide and share traditional support, knowledge, cultural ceremonies and teachings,” Grace said.

“This includes referring clients to cultural events, providing basic teachings, traditions and knowledge in medicines for individuals who have been disconnected from Indigenous culture.”

Grace also assists visiting and resident healers, elders, knowledge keepers and holistic practitioners.

“Along with supporting clients before and after visits, I also guide our clients through scheduling of visits. We want them to be present with their healer or elder and then following up with after care supports,” Grace said.

Grace facilitates events for cultural and traditional groups and organizes a variety of workshops that include an introduction to medicines and drum making.

“I also provide community outreach by being the liaison with mainstream and Indigenous organizations throughout the community. I attend meetings and speak about our programs and services related to the culture and traditions.”

Grace monitors traditional medicines that SOAHAC carries for elders and knowledge keepers that are used and prescribed for a holistic and healing approach.

"These include our four basic medicines we always use which is tobacco, sweet grass, cedar and sage," Grace said.

“But there could be use for others such as bear root, elderberry, lavender, or mullein leaf. These might be prescribed and ground. And instructions are provided on how to use them,” Grace said.

Grace began her role at SOAHAC Waterloo Wellington in Cambridge in June.

As an Anishinaabe woman from northern Ontario, Grace grew up in Sudbury. She relocated to southwestern Ontario as a young adult and has been in the Waterloo Wellington area for about 25 years.

“My background is community service. I’ve worked in women’s shelters, Family and Children Services, child welfare, child protection and I’ve always been involved with the Indigenous community as a Anishinaabe person," Grace said.

"My previous role was working with Waterloo Family and Children’s Services on the Indigenous team. I was in that role for a couple of years, and was able to connect with many Indigenous families and advocate for support. But at times, this work was traumatic and very heavy. For my own spirit and wellbeing, I had to take a break and step away.”

Then a new opportunity with SOAHAC came knocking.

"I think things are put in our path for a reason and that the creator provided me with this opportunity so I could learn and grow,” Grace said.  

As with other social services, SOAHAC had to adjust its community engagement, and connect virtually due to the pandemic.

“But this has been a blessing and a curse,” Grace said. 

“The indigenous community is very social. We are oral story tellers, so being present and social is important. Having that lack of face-to-face contact, had an impact. However, on a positive note, by connecting virtually, we were able to reach out and make more connections and that was great especially for people  from the rural townships who were able to access our virtual events."

SOAHAC operates from a wholistic Indigenous health framework that focuses on the restoration and rebalancing of the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of Indigenous people, families, communities and nations, and sees “culture as treatment.

Grace says having access to a traditional healing liaison can be helpful for those wanting to connect to their culture.

"It’s about having that supportive 'judgment free' person to assist you in building a connection to community. Some people just don't know where to start and this is what I can teach them,” Grace said.

“I don’t know everything about the culture as I am still learning myself, however, I am able to share what I do know, and I will support anyone in their learning journey.”

For more information about SOAHAC, visit here.