First Peoples Wellness Circle (FPWC) is proud to be a partner in the ACCESS Open Minds Indigenous Youth Mental Health and Wellness Network, a national initiative funded through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and partners to strengthen mental health and wellness supports for Indigenous youth across Canada.
On September 2, the Government of Canada announced a $30 million investment over four years to expand the Integrated Youth Services Network of Networks (IYS-Net). Of this investment, $10.8 million is dedicated to supporting Indigenous youth mental health and wellness through the ACCESS Open Minds Indigenous Network.
This four-year project will:
- Strengthen the capacity to deliver high quality, culturally grounded, and responsive services with and for Indigenous youth.
- Support youth, families, and communities in identifying priorities for research and services.
- Integrate Indigenous knowledge, governance, and ways of knowing into health systems.
- Build a digital repository of culturally relevant tools and resources.
- Create opportunities for current and future Indigenous youth leaders in mental health and wellness.
These goals align closely with FPWC’s mandate to support Indigenous-led, wholistic, and culturally safe approaches to wellness. By partnering in this initiative, FPWC will help ensure that Indigenous voices, knowledge, and governance are at the centre of service design and delivery.
“Indigenous youth voices and experiences are at the heart of creating and building this network that reflects their strengths, priorities, and needs. Using a foundation of Indigenous knowledge, evidence, and cultural practices, this network will support the wellness of Indigenous youth as an ongoing investment in our future generations. First Peoples Wellness Circle is proud to be a partner in this vital work.”
– Dr. Brenda Restoule, CEO of First Peoples Wellness Circle
“Indigenous youth deserve services that reflect who they are, where they come from, and the strength of their cultures. This investment supports Indigenous communities in building their own solutions, guided by Elders, Knowledge Keepers and youth themselves.”
– The Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services
This investment reflects a national commitment to transforming youth mental healthcare and ensuring First Nations, Inuit, and Métis youth have access to timely, appropriate, and culturally affirming supports.For more information, please read the full CIHR announcement.
