Oneida Nation Families Calls For More Cultural Programs After Well-Received Lona’Tshistanet Project

Isolation from community and deteriorating opportunities because of the ongoing pandemic posed challenges to the well-being of youth and families of the Oneida First Nation Territory. But it couldn’t have come at a better time, says Kahawani Doxtator, who is the Indigenous Consultant at London Family Court Clinic and led the Lona’tshistanet “Firekeepers” Cultural Project this past year.

The project—now concluded—was a 12-month project funded by Mental Health Research Canada along with the Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health and guided by the Community Advisory Committee and Clan-Mothers of Onieda. The project was co-facilitated by Kahawani Doxtator, included Dr. Dan Ashbourne, Psychologist/Project as an advisor, and Professor Dr. Jason Brown of Western University provided the external evaluation. This project addressed the growing necessity for improving connectedness and mental health supports for Oneida First Nations families during the pandemic through in-person and online traditional and cultural learning activities taught by Knowledge Keepers each month. The design of the project activities integrated techniques of “Western Medicine” with a First Nations Wellness framework, as well as promoted participants to become “Firekeepers”—to spread their new knowledge of Haudenosaunee Culture to their community and the next generation.

Doxtator noted the project’s biggest success was the summer camp in August 2021—a five-day camp. During the camp invited participants and Wisdom Keepers were invited to share in traditional “sacred teachings” over the course of the week including the Sweatlodge, waterdrum making, traditional shirt and skirt making, and teachings of the songs and dances of the Haundenosaunee peoples.

London Family Court Clinic Clinician, Jesse Minns, in collaboration with Wisdom Keeper Catherine Casey, taught valuable coping and behavioural skills during the summer camp to the participants.

Doxtator said families have expressed to her that they’d like to continue to see more cultural projects like Lona’tshistanet.

“The Project was a huge success. Participants have often voiced their appreciation for the Lona’tshistanet Project, being in touch with song, dance, making traditional medicine, helped them forget about life stressors that caused them anxiety and even depression.  The opportunity to learn brought peace to the participants mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.” said Doxtator.

 External evaluator, Brown, emphasized the impacts of projects like Lona’tshistanet isn’t limited to the people who participate.

“This project and others like it have a lot of credibility and significantly impact community wellness. The effects of this work extend beyond the individuals and families who attend to the whole community.” said Brown.

“This initiative shows the effectiveness of an Indigenized approach to community based mental health care. Cultural knowledge and practice promote mental wellness. Lona’tshistanet is a way of sharing cultural knowledge that brought community members together during the COVID pandemic.”