Preparing Our Home: Indigenous Community Resilience Sharing Circles (January Circle)
To sign up or this circle click on the link below:
https://forms.gle/5FdhUncZNSrBPfVC9
“Preparing our Home” is a community-based resilience planning program that enables Indigenous youth to reach their potential in becoming emergency preparedness leaders in their communities. In this series of online workshops, Elders, community leaders and youth will come together to learn from each other and share their experiences in emergency management and community care.
Join us for this Sharing Circle to learn about community-led disaster recovery. Following the devastating flood disaster in Siksika Nation, the Dancing Deer Disaster Recovery Centre focused on rebuilding families and communities through hope and healing. The Centre consisted of a multi-disciplinary group of Siksika professionals, youth, and a Siksika traditional Elder. The team assisted the evacuees on their journey to recovery by providing culturally safe age-appropriate supports and services for physical, mental, and social well-being.
About Darlene:
Darlene was born and raised on the Siksika Nation; she is the oldest of 10 children. She has spent most of her adult life at Siksika employed by Medical Services Branch, Health Canada in various roles: from 1972-74 as a clerk-typist at the Blackfoot Health Center; 1975-78 as a community Health Representative; 1981 received Nursing Diploma (R.N.); 1981-84 employed as a clinic Nurse; 1984-89 employed as a community Health Nurse, 1989-1996 employed as the Treaty 7 Zone Director, Medical Services Branch, from January1997-December 1997.
Darlene was the Chief from 1998-99; employed by First Nations Health Management 2000-2005, was successful in assisting First Nations Health Management to acquire funding for an Aboriginal Healing Program “Sacred Circle Centre” for the City of Calgary Aboriginal population.
Darlene came out semi-retirement in 2013 to assist Siksika Nation with the 2013 flood. She commenced as a night shift volunteer and became Manager of Dancing Deer Disaster Recovery Program and Project Manager for Community Wellness (Psychosocial) Recovery Program. Her role as Manager overlapped in many areas of the 2013 flood response and recovery. Darlene is the core member of the Advisory Circle and Elder in Residence for the Preparing Our Home program.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
• Appointed by the Deputy Minister of Health to serve as a member of the National Tripartite Health Working Group on Aboriginal Health
• Served as a member of the International Health Working Group on Aboriginal Health.
• Traveled to Israel I August 1991 to participate in the International Conference on Indigenous Health.
• Served as a member of the University of Calgary, Division of International Development Work Group 1989-1995. Traveled to the Philippines in 1991 to provide advise, support and met with various communities in the Philippines.
• Served as a member of the Employment Equity Working Group, with the Treasury Boards of Canada, Health Canada and Public Service Alliance.
• Participated with the University of Calgary, Medical Faculty to increase the awareness of First Nation Health Issues.
• Served as a member of the Nation Additions Committee
• Served as a member of the National Chiefs Committee regarding Home Care.
Recommended reading:
Preparing Our Home Workshop in Siksika Nation: https://preparingourhome.ca/preparing-our-home-workshop-in-siksika-nation/
Unnatural disasters: Colonialism, climate displacement, and Indigenous sovereignty in Siksika Nation’s disaster recovery efforts https://climatechoices.ca/publications/unnatural-disasters/
*The session will take place through Zoom platform. Once registered, you will receive an event link and a calendar invite within a few days.
For more information please visit www.preparingourhome.ca and for any questions please email [email protected]
