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Offering Equal Access to Healthcare for Indigenous Communities
Your Right to Access
Medical Cannabis IcMD Explains
Meet Up-and-Coming MMA Athlete
Kelly Chinchilla Marymound’s
Medicinal Garden Indigenous Horse Racing The Oldest Extreme Sport in North America
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CONTENTS
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Cover Story - Putting Healthcare in the Hands of our People
ISSUE 92
FALL 2018
SAY MAGAZINE Volume 17, Issue 7 SAY Magazine publishes eight times a year: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall, as well as Made in Manitoba, Back2School, Economic Development and Education Guide issues. SAY Magazine is published by Spirit of Aboriginal Youth Inc. Mailing Address: Kildonan Place, RPO Box 43084 Winnipeg, MB Canada R2C 5G7 E: info@saymag.com www.saymag.com Publishers Dominick Blais and Kent Brown
SAY Magazine assumes no responsibility for submitted material. SAY Magazine assumes no responsibility for statements made by advertisers or in submitted material. Graphics, photographs, editorial content and other printed material are the property of SAY Magazine and may not be used without the written permission of SAY Magazine. ISSN: 1707-3049 All copy copyright 2018 by SAY Magazine GST: 856627534RT0001
Editor-in-Chief/Sales Manager Danielle Vienneau editor@saymag.com Editor/Writer Sarah Vaage
Profile - Interview with Athlete and Single Mom Kelly Chinchilla
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Sacred Herbs of the Medicine Wheel Meet SAY’s Consulting Elder Redsky
24 29
9
Music Indigenous Sport Resources
Subscriptions subscriptions@saymag.com Art Director Orli Gelfat - Orli G. Design Printed in Canada
Printed on recycled paper using vegetable based inks.
Website and Social Media Sphere Media Agency info@spheremediaagency.com Submissions are welcome. Articles, letters, queries etc. should be sent by email to the editor at editor@saymag.com. Connect with us: www.facebook.com/saymagazine https://twitter.com/SAYMagazine www.pinterest.ca/SAYMagazine
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Marymound - Cultivating a Healthier Generation
14
Indian Relay Racing Growing on a Global Scale
HEALTH AND FITNESS 2018 | 3
PUBLISHERS’ MESSAGE
“To us, health is about so much more than simply not being sick. It’s about getting a balance between physical, mental, emotional, cultural and spiritual health. Health and healing are interwoven, which means that one can’t be separated from the other.” - Dr. Tamara Maclean, Australia’s First Female Aboriginal Doctor
Dominick Blais and Kent Brown Co-Publishers, SAY Magazine
S
AY Magazine is proud to present this first issue focused on health and fitness. As the quote above so accurately describes, being “healthy” is such a broad term and means so much more than not being ill. Having been involved in the wellness industry for a few decades, particularly through sport and physical activity, we (Kent, Dominick and contributors) at SAY felt strongly about creating an issue centered on holistic health which includes emotional, mental, spiritual and physical
well-being. Additionally, another mutually important element to consider is the importance of our social well-being – the extent to which you feel a sense of belonging and social inclusion, including our connection to others. A common theme throughout this issue is the connection of mind, body and spirit, and our ability as Indigenous people to make informed choices when it comes to our health.
ing traditional healing and new technology allowing Indigenous people to access an equal standard of care through virtual healthcare services.
With input from various sources and individuals, we have compiled stories and resources that reference the four quadrants of the medicine wheel and more, includ-
“In order to change we must be sick and tired of being sick and tired.” – Author unknown
We hope you find inspiration in this issue. Healing and wellness are a journey – may you find balance in yours.
Next Issue: Economic Development - Business
Issue Name
Issue Theme #
Space Material Reservation Deadline
Publication Dates
Economic Development
93
Business
Nov. 19, 2018
Nov. 26, 2018
Dec. 15, 2018
Winter 2019
94
Leadership
Dec. 3, 2018
Dec. 19, 2018
Jan. 14, 2019
Education Guide 2019
95
Education
Jan. 14, 2019
Jan. 30, 2019
Feb. 15, 2019
Spring 2019
96
Career/Skill Development
Feb. 15, 2019
Feb. 22, 2019
Mar. 15, 2019
Global Indigeneity
97
Global Indigenous Success
Mar. 22, 2019
Apr. 1, 2019
Apr. 29, 2019
Summer 2019
98
Made in “TBD”
Apr. 29, 2019
May 6, 2019
June 3, 2019
Back2School 2019
99
Back to School
July 4, 2019
July 15, 2019
Aug. 15, 2019
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2018/19 NOV 1-30
Native American Heritage Month USA
NOV 5-8
19th Annual TribalNet Conference Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, Nevada, USA www.tribalhub.com
NOV 8-9
2018Â National Gathering for Indigenous Education Edmonton, Alberta, Canada http://indspire.ca/national-gathering
NOV 24-26
Winnipeg Aboriginal Film Festival (WAFF) Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada http://www.waff.ca
JAN 28-30
Cannexus19: National Career Development Conference Shaw Centre Ottawa, Ontario, Canada http://cannexus.ca
FEB 5-7
2nd Annual Seminole Tribe of Florida Renewable Energy & Sustainability Conference Native Learning Center Hollywood, Florida, USA
FEB 22
Indspire Awards Calgary, Alberta, Canada http://indspire.ca
NOV 26-29
Young Entrepreneurs Symposium (YES) 2018 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada https://youngentrepreneurssymposium.ca
HEALTH AND FITNESS 2018 | 5
TRADITIONAL HEALING
The Sacred Herbs of the Medicine Wheel The traditional medicine wheel or circle is a symbol of life and harmony for Indigenous people. One of the seven teaching aspects of the wheel is the plants or sacred herbs that are associated with special rituals, prayers, ceremonies and medicine. The four colours of the wheel represent four special plants that are considered sacred medicines.
CEDAR SAGE
Sage is a powerful purifying medicine that cleanses away negative energies and is mostly used at large gatherings so that all may take part. Sage can be found braided or loose. Sage is also beneficial for treating sore throats and respiratory conditions when added to steam vapour. Salves made with sage can be antimicrobial and help with cleansing sores. Sage is represented in the red section of the medicine wheel.
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The white section is for cedar. Cedar is considered by many first peoples as the tree of life. Associated with the north section of the medicine wheel, which is also associated with elders, cedar has medicinal properties which can help with many diseases such as soothing the aches and pains that come with arthritis and rheumatism. Cedar branches are often placed over doorways of homes and can be steeped as a tea. It contains vitamin C which aids in the prevention of illness. Cedar is also used for purification to attract positive energy and protection, and for balancing emotions.
SWEETGRASS
The black or western section of the medicine wheel represents sweetgrass which is used primarily as a cleansing and very sweet-smelling smudge. Sweetgrass is referred to as “the hair of Mother Earth� and is usually braided into a rope with the three sections representing mind, body and soul. Separately, each strand is not as strong as when the strands are braided together. Sweetgrass smoke is used to clear out bad thoughts and bring positive energy and healing.
TRADITIONAL HEALING
A handful or pouch of tobacco is used as a gift or offering of thanks. Tobacco is offered to thank the Creator and ask for guidance. If a request is made and tobacco is given, once accepted, the promise must be honoured. Tobacco is also often smudged at the beginning of a ceremony where the smoke is used to purify and bring blessings. It is often used as a symbol of respect in First Nations gatherings to help build relationships and exchange knowledge. Tobacco is not usually smoked, except in pipe ceremonies.
TOBACCO The yellow eastern section of the wheel represents tobacco. According to traditional teachings tobacco is used as a conduit to communicate with the spirit world - it absorbs prayers and carries them to the spirit world.
Sacred tobacco is very different from recreational tobacco. In North America sacred tobacco is a blend of a variety of plants, such as kinnikinick made from the inner bark of willows and other plant mixtures. Sacred tobacco is known to be used for healing and medicinal purposes including relieving chills and fevers, relieving
headaches and toothaches, healing cuts or burns, muscle soreness and ear infections. The uses of many traditional herbs in ceremonies and healing may be lost if we do not retain and teach them through methods such as the medicine wheel. This sacred knowledge of healing plants was gained through thousands of years. Many modern medicines have originated from the compounds found in the healing plants our ancestors used. The positive benefits of using both traditional and modern medicine together in healing have now been acknowledged by the World Health Organization. This holistic healing approach addresses a person’s spiritual and emotional well-being, alongside the physical aspects. By Kelly Beaulieu
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RECLAIMING OUR HISTORY HARNESSING OUR FUTURE
Future History follows two passionate, and polar opposite, Anishinaabe (Ojibway) hosts as they venture into their community to gain a deeper understanding of Indigenous Knowledge and the movement of cultural revitalization.
Don’t miss this new series hosted by Kris Nahrgang and Sarain Fox. aptn.ca/futurehistory
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PROFILE
Kelly
Chinchilla Kelly Chinchilla, a band member of Roseau River First Nation in Manitoba (with Polish and Métis ancestry), is not one to sit still. A single mom at the age 20, Chinchilla raised her daughter, while working full-time as an educational assistant; studying to become a teacher through the CATEP program, a partnership between the University of Winnipeg and the Seven Oaks School Division; and maintaining an active lifestyle by pow wow dancing and training in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) at the Winnipeg Academy of Mixed Martial Arts (WAMMA) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education, Chinchilla is now working as a kindergarten teacher in the Seven Oaks School Division, and is continuing to advance in her MMA training.
SAY Magazine sat down with Chinchilla to learn more about her incredible passion and dedication, and to find out how she does it all. SAY: How did you discover your passion for mixed martial arts? Chinchilla: I got into MMA about a year and four months ago. I always wanted to train in martial arts, but I didn’t have the confidence to show up at a gym. I had a friend that brought me to WAMMA one day and from then on I was hooked. I enjoyed how challenging it was, but also how good
it felt to make it through a class. After starting to train, it became empowering. It’s also an outlet for me to regulate some negative emotions. Being an athlete most of my life, I also just wanted to develop my skills, and see what I am capable of. SAY: Were you quite active in your youth, then? Chinchilla: Yes, very. I played basketball for about 13 years; in high school I played from grade 9-12 and was very competitive. I made the provincial team for the North American Indigenous Games in 2002 (Winnipeg, Manitoba), 2006 (Denver, Colorado) and
2008 (Cowichan, British Columbia). In high school I also played volleyball and did cross country. I continued to play on adult recreational teams after having my daughter, and when I was 21 I started coaching for Anishinabe Pride, a program that helps inner city Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth participate in sports. I was literally coaching with a baby on my hip! In 2013 I received the Aboriginal Coach of the Year Award from the Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council HEALTH AND FITNESS 2018 | 9
PROFILE (MASRC). I coached for about 3 years, while I was working full-time and going to university part-time. I had to stop coaching to focus on schoolwork, my job as an educational assistant and of course my daughter. SAY: Are you involved in any other activities in your spare time (if you have any)? Chinchilla: Now that I am teaching, I am considering eventually coaching basketball in the school I work at. I am also a pow wow dancer, which involves a lot of cardio and is helpful for staying fit, and I teach kids how to dance in pow wow clubs at schools in the school division that I work for. Ever since I was a teen, I have also enjoyed exercising outside of sports, such as weight lifting and cross training. I often work out at home when I can’t make it to gym. SAY: How did you balance raising your daughter, working full-time, studying and staying active, all at the same time? Chinchilla: It’s all about time management, using your time wisely and being able to
multitask. I would always tell myself not to be someone that makes excuses. I had to make these things a priority. Seeing other people accomplish their goals made me believe that I can do the same.
I realize how the discipline learned from playing sports has shown me how to work hard for progress. To stay active, I would watch videos and research ways to work out at home. I would literally jump rope in front of my daughter when she was a baby sitting in her swing, or do things like squats while holding her, which she also enjoyed. I found ways to
stay active while spending time with my daughter. I consider myself to be a pretty “highstrung” person, so I always need to be doing something. I need to be active, and I find I am good at managing a busy schedule. There are times when I do get overwhelmed – you have to know when to step back from something to focus on your main priorities (i.e. stepping down as a coach when I started school). SAY: Over the years what has motivated you to keep moving towards your goals? Chinchilla: My daughter is my biggest motivator by far. Before I had her I was very unmotivated, and I had really bad social anxiety and depression. Once I had my daughter, I became outspoken and driven. I started to realize what I wanted in life, for myself and my daughter. I just knew that I wanted more than I had, and wanted to do better. I feel there is also a negative stigma attached
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PROFILE to young and/or single mothers as well, which motivated me to do my best as a parent. Becoming a parent and having to advocate for my daughter (by myself) forced me to overcome some of my social anxieties. I was forced to be strong. SAY: Do you have a strong support system that helps you succeed? Chinchilla: My parents, brothers and grandmother, and a few friends really support me. They’ve always been there to help with my daughter, especially when I had evening classes. I have also been lucky to have the support of the peers in my cohort that I went to school with for the last six years; they saw me struggle as a single parent and always helped in whatever ways they could (encouragement, advice and conversation). The friends I’ve made at WAMMA are very supportive, including Curtis, the owner and head coach at WAMMA, who has become a great mentor. In addition, I have so much respect for the other women I train with - they are fearless and inclusive, and they help make the gym a little less intimidating. I also have many supportive friends in the Indigenous community who I have met over the years through pow wow dancing and ceremony - many of whom believe in building our nations up and supporting one another.
my diagnosis and struggled with depression – that’s one of the reasons why MMA became an outlet for me both physically and mentally. I know that diabetics can be healthy, so I don’t let the disease hold me back.
Surround yourself with people who motivate and inspire you to do better. SAY: Can you share with us some of your goals for your MMA training? Chinchilla: I want to have my first MMA fight before next summer. I also hope to earn my blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu before the end of this year. I have competed in two jiu-jitsu tournaments here in Winnipeg. I competed in the Manitoba Fall Open and earned gold in my white belt NoGi category and a silver in the NoGi category this past May at the Spring Open Tournament. I am getting ready for the next Fall Open tournament, and I will most likely be competing in jiu-jitsu tournaments every year, and for as long as my
body will let me. I would like to train to fight as an amateur athlete and see how I do. Longer term I would like to fight professionally. I am trying to train as much as I can, and improve as fast as I can. I want to be able to do things I never thought possible. SAY: What advice would you give to a single parent who is struggling to reach their goals? Chinchilla: Remember who you are doing it for - your child (or children), and yourself - and don’t forget to take care of yourself as well. Make time, and don’t make excuses. Make realistic goals, but also have a plan of action, and know when things need to change. Surround yourself with people who motivate and inspire you to do better. SAY: What piece of advice do you have for young girls like your daughter? Chinchilla: Never give up when you really want to achieve something. You have to persevere, and also know that you may fail at some things. The key is to make a change or adjust when necessary – that may even be your own attitude or mentality. A saying I really like is, “A year from now you will be wishing you had started today.” If you really want to achieve something, go get it, make it happen. Just keep fighting for what you want because it’s probably worth it!
SAY: How has your involvement in physical activity and sports impacted your life, and why has it been a priority? Chinchilla: Playing on sports teams helps children to develop socially, and in many cases it helps to keep them away from negative things – this is true for me. Kids learn how to become leaders and team players, accept losses and strive to improve. Looking back, I realize how the discipline learned from playing sports has shown me how to work hard for progress. As I got older I started caring more about the health aspect of it. In 2016 I was diagnosed as diabetic despite being active and eating fairly healthy most of my life. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is even more important now. I am very physically “fit” and I manage my glucose levels very well, but part of maintaining that is being mentally healthy. I was shocked at HEALTH AND FITNESS 2018 | 11
FEATURE
Marymound
Growing Thriving Medicinal Gardens and Healthier Children
R Photo Credit: Winnipeg Free Press
aven Hart, an Indigenous Youth Mentor with Marymound’s Cultural Program, focuses on a landbased program that is heavily involved with the food and herb gardens
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located at Marymound’s main Winnipeg (Manitoba, Canada) location and some of its group homes. Since joining the organization over a year ago, Hart was initially pleased to notice the existing garden near Marymound’s main building. “When I first arrived here all the vegetables were already
in full bloom, but I was most excited that we were growing our own tobacco,” said Hart. “Through our cultural program, tobacco is one of the most amazing attributes we could grow because it is chemical-free with no toxins – just clean, traditional tobacco.”
FEATURE The tobacco is so good that visiting Elders get very excited when it is gifted to them for their knowledge. “The Elders are so amazed that we can grow our own tobacco and food, and they are wowed when receiving the fresh-cut tobacco from our garden,” said Hart. Since her arrival, they have added some superfoods to the garden (everything from kale to spinach to beets), as well as a variety of vegetables that the kids have never seen before, such as Indigo Kumquat tomatoes.
Marymound’s gardens are thriving. One harvest occurred early on the summer solstice with full amounts of kale, spinach, radishes and two different varieties of lettuce being served up in salads for the week at Marymound. “We also harvested sage that was three feet high, which is difficult to find anywhere,” proclaimed Hart. “The reason why the garden is thriving is because we feasted it with a pipe ceremony two times before planting, and included an additional ceremony for the water to ensure purity through prayer.”
Marymound even hired a youth for the land-based program - someone who loves gardening and working the soil. “In the future, I would like to see the kids eat as traditional as possible within our menu at Marymound, at feasts and different celebrations that we have throughout the year by using the foods we grow on
Marymound recently started a second medicine garden, an exciting circle garden design within an existing roundabout created by Reanna Merasty, a Land-Based Youth Mentor summer student. “It is sectioned into the four directions with decorative paths to access the garden that also consists of tobacco, sage, cedar and sweetgrass,” said Merasty. “Symbolism of the four directions will be added to include rocks that will be painted with warriors and each direction on them,” added Hart. “Seven each of red, black, yellow and white rocks will decoratively be on display to indicate inclusiveness for all ceremonies.”
“We want to make food fun, especially for the younger kids so they get more involved and are encouraged to learn more about traditional foods, and assist with the gardens,” - Hart “We want to make food fun, especially for the younger kids so they get more involved and are encouraged to learn more about traditional foods, and assist with the gardens,” continues Hart. Tomatillos and Yellowstone carrots, which are bright yellow instead of orange, pique the kids’ interest. Other important Indigenous components of the garden include traditional medicines. “We have two different types of medicinal tea gardens, one here at the main garden and one across the property, as well as another at the boys’ group home that features numerous varieties of mint-chocolate, banana, grapefruit and spearmint,” said Hart. “Food is medicine, so we want to drink teas that will help the kids. We also have chamomiles and lavenders. We are also growing corn, beans and squash, known as ‘the three sisters’ which are aligned next to one another as they seem to survive off each other, like their own ecosystem.” There is also a medicine garden consisting of tobacco, cedar, sweetgrass and sage. “They are used primarily for smudges to cleanse ourselves, which is really exciting.”
The gardens at Marymound are common and just a way of life for Indigenous people. It is a way of working the land and developing self-sustaining communities. “It is difficult for many of our communities, as the land and soil are not good enough, so they look into greenhouses,” said Hart. “What we are doing at Marymound is innovative yet traditional, as we are bringing back the old way of doing things.” The youth involvement in the garden has grown this past year, whether it’s watering or weeding, or the little ones enjoying a “planting party” to start the gardening season. Sometimes, students just hang out with the Youth Mentors at the garden as they work and snack on healthy foods, such as radishes, tomatoes, raspberries, blueberries, red currants and Saskatoons.
site, as well as accessing traditional foods from the community, such as wild rice and Saskatoons. And of course bannock and fried bannock, which is not the greatest for the body but a comfort food that is so good for the soul,” said Hart.
Raven Hart is a former Indigenous Youth Mentor for the Marymound Cultural Program. Filling the role now is April Slater. HEALTH AND FITNESS 2018 | 13
SPORT
Photo Credit: Anita Mackenzie and Jaren Buffalo - Enoch Echo
Tyrell McGilvery of River Cree Relay Team launches “arrows” into the crowd as he wins the Indian Summer Shootout in Enoch 14 | HEALTH AND FITNESS 2018
Indigenous Horse Racing on the Rise What is Indigenous horse racing you may ask? Well, Indigenous horse racing, or rather “Indian Relay Racing” officially, has been described as the oldest extreme sport in North America. It promises edge-of-your-seat excitement and offers teams the opportunity to compete for cash and prizes. This extremely dangerous sport requires competitors to complete three laps on a course while riding a horse bareback, without helmets. If that wasn’t challenging enough, racers must also change horses after each lap with the help of their teammates. Teams consist of one rider, three horses, two holders and a mugger. Jockeys can reach speeds of roughly 45 kilometres per hour.
There are also four types of events: the Relay Race with 3 horses and multiple heats; the Chief Race where riders begin mounted and have a standing start; the Chief Lady Race which is the same as the Chief Race but with female riders; and the Warriors Race where horses are lined up at the finish line, and the warriors sprint 100 metres and jump on the horses. There are also kids and junior relay teams, starting with children as young as five and six years old. They begin riding relay ponies and race on a smaller scale. By the time the youth reach 13 and 14 years old, they are riding the big horses and participating in the larger events. The roots of this intense sport can be traced back to ancient
times. Riders and horses alike can be seen adorned with bright colours and war paint. “When you see this for the first time live or when you see a clean exchange, it hits your heart. It puts a lump in your throat knowing that your ancestors had to live this way for survival, for war and for hunting,” explained Levi Morin, track manager and team captain for the River Cree Relay Team of Enoch Cree Nation. “No race is ever the same. You never know what’s going to happen next. You can have a team just flying, and then they make the wrong exchange and lose it all in a second,” explained Morin. “It gets addicting to watch like any other sport. You get
SPORT leticism and courage that the riders and everyone on the field demonstrate,” said Mackenzie. “To know this is a traditional sport that has a long history within the nations brings a sense of pride. These teams are keeping the tradition alive and celebrating their culture through sport. It’s adrenaline-filled and exciting.”
Warrior Race, Enoch a favourite team, a favourite rider and you really start to follow the circuit.” When Anita Mackenzie, Manager and Editor of Enoch Echo, saw Indian Relay Racing for the first time this summer, she was floored. “I was absolutely blown away by the ath-
Mackenzie also followed the River Cree Relay Team to Walla Walla, Washington, USA, to watch the Championship of Champions event where the team became World Chief Race Champions. “There were 21 horses on the field at any given time, and the track is smaller than Enoch’s. We saw riders go down and witnessed a few crashes. It’s heart stopping. You see these men and women trying to keep these 1,000+ pound animals calm in the midst of chaos. It’s incredible,” explained Mackenzie. “For people who have
never seen it, I strongly recommend taking in an event.” The sport has been popular in the United States for some time, but is relatively new to Canada. In 2017, the Canadian Indian Relay Racing Association (CIRRA) was formed, and the sport was introduced at the North American Indigenous Games and had its debut at the Calgary Stampede in Alberta, Canada. On September 1 and 2, the Enoch Cree Nation, located just west of Edmonton, Alberta, hosted the 2018 Canadian Indian Relay Championships, and this October they hosted seven teams at the Indian Summer Shootout at Enoch Park—the last race of the season. The two-day Canadian Championships event attracted about 2,500 spectators per day. Given the success of this event and the rising popularity of the sport, CIRRA is focused on growing the sport in Canada—adding more events and expanding to British Columbia and Manitoba. Looking ahead, Enoch Cree Nation hopes to host the Canadian Championships again next fall.
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ELDER PROFILE
Elder Redsky
Redsky started his journey as a medicine man and healer in 1982, after the passing of his brother. Following the death of his brother, Redsky had a vision of his brother taking him to the spirit world. When they got there, there were four old men that met them and spoke to them in their language, Ojibway. “They said, ‘you have to go back. You have a lot of work to do. Why are you here?’” said Redsky. It was soon after this experience that Redsky began his healing journey and started attending sweat lodge ceremonies and Sundance ceremonies. “I started a healing journey for myself, not knowing where I was going because our way of life was not spoken of, even though I witnessed it as a young boy,” said Redsky. “It was difficult going through life, not really understanding spiritually.” “The visions I used to have as a child kept coming and coming, so I went to sweat ceremonies and fasting ceremonies to understand those visions and dreams. It took me seven years to get through the darkness of healing— seven long years to understand who I was as a human, as a man.”
from her. “The teachings and the advice she gave me were strong,” said Redsky. “I used to dream of her telling me she’s waiting for me to smarten up. ‘We have a gift for you,’ she would say. It took a long time for me to realize that I needed to put my afflictions away.
It took me seven years to get through the darkness of healing–seven long years to understand who I was as a human, as a man. “When I was well into my healing journey, the gifts my grandmother spoke of started materializing for me.”
When his family found out he had been attending sweat lodge ceremonies, his mother and grandmother shared their story about his birth. “When I was born, they were told that someday I would help the people,” said Redsky.
Redsky comes from a long line of medicine people. When his grandmother gave him her blessing she also gave him his first responsibility, to carry his grandfather’s pipe. “After the big meeting in spirit world (with my brother), the spirits gave me permission to carry that pipe. My grandmother said, ‘I will teach you a little bit and they (the spirits) will teach you the rest.’” Passed down through generations, Redsky’s grandfather’s pipe is roughly 400 years old.
Over the years, Redsky spent as much time as he could with his grandmother, learning
Redsky is his given name, and Norman, his English name. He was born and raised in a
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little community called Sainte Rose du Lac, an independent urban community within the province of Manitoba, Canada. Raised in a single family home, Redsky was 12 years old when his family moved to the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba. He soon met his father and spent several years learning from him. “He put me to work—teaching me about life,” said Redsky. Now Redsky is the conductor of sweat lodge and shake-tent ceremonies, and is a Sundance chief. Redsky and his family also grow their own natural tobacco for ceremonial purposes. “It’s quite the process,” said Redsky. “We started in mid-June, and we just finished harvesting in early October. It will take until next June for the tobacco leaves to be ready for us to harvest again for ceremony.” “I have learned about the sacredness of tobacco, and I have taken the responsibility to learn how to look after it, plant it, dry it and harvest it,” he further acknowledged. Throughout his journey he has had to learn much on his own through a vision quest and fasting, and through the various ceremonies he has attended. Redsky is known to medical professionals nationwide and is a sought-after healer in Manitoba. He has travelled across North America and abroad to aid others using traditional healing methods.
COVER STORY
“Putting Healthcare in the Hands of our People” A family doctor is often difficult to find for the average person living in a major urban centre, but it is even more difficult for those living in rural or remote communities. For many First Nations people living on-reserve and for many tribes in the United States access to quality healthcare, medical devices or medications is simply not an option. However, this lack of care will soon become a thing of the past as more and more health care systems become digitized - transforming the lives of people across North America. In Canada, Indigenous Canadian Medical Dispensaries (IcMD) - the only fully Indigenous-owned and operated company of its kind - is taking the lead and creating opportunities for Indigenous communities to receive better access to healthcare through telemedicine and video conferencing, lessening the burden on the healthcare system in the long run. Michael Birch, President and COO of IcMD, grew up in Garden Hill First Nation - a fly-in remote community in Northern Manitoba, Canada, with a population of just over 3,000. Birch remembers not having access to a doctor or nurse, or even a healthcare facility at times. Together with Christopher Henry, a proud member of the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) and CEO of IcMD, the duo created IcMD.ca and set out to address the lack of access to almost every healthcare service most Canadians take for granted. With the focus on equal access to healthcare for Indigenous people - including the right to access medical cannabis - IcMD decided the most transformative option would be through the rapidly growing trend of digital health, and that’s when they came across Namaste Technologies (TSXV:N). IcMD’s partnership with Namaste
Technologies will provide all Indigenous communities across Canada (representing a population of over 1.5 million people) with free access to the company’s revolutionary telemedicine application and online patient portal NamasteMD. In early 2019 NamasteMD will be white-labelled “IcMD”, becoming a dedicated app available on any device with a camera and internet access for Indigenous people across Canada. This agreement represents a significant milestone, as IcMD and Namaste Technologies collaborate in providing Indigenous communities across Canada with the ability to exercise their right to access medical cannabis. This will be accomplished by offering all community members free video consultations, whereby patients have instant access to doctors or nurse practitioners to review their healthcare requirements. IcMD’s management team is committed to supporting Indigenous communities and believes the application
will serve as a powerful tool to enhance the lives of many members. Both IcMD and Namaste Technologies view this partnership as an incredible opportunity to become leaders in Indigenous healthcare by providing people with safe and reliable access to healthcare alternatives, such as through medical cannabis and eventually telemedicine. “To be able to offer access to reliable, secure healthcare and put it in the hands of our people is a dream I didn’t think would ever happen in my lifetime,” said Birch. “By partnering with Namaste Technologies we will finally be able to give all Indigenous people, regardless of location, access to a more equal standard of care.” Birch and Henry have each worked in and with Indigenous communities for almost three decades, and have dedicated their lives to driving social change. Recognizing the dangers of an impending opioid epidemic, Birch and Henry knew there was no better time to implement a system that could provide better access to healthcare. “We know that drugs are an immense problem in many communities. Since launching the program at the Assembly of First Nations General Assembly in July 2018, we’ve found that most Elders and communities are very receptive to the program because it can help deal with one of the biggest problems in Indigenous communities, which is addiction and over-prescription of pharmaceuticals.” “Having the support of Elders and community leaders is essential to ensuring the realization of the program. While the youth in our communities are the fastest growing segment in Canada, it is the Elders and leadership we must look to for guidance,” said Henry. HEALTH AND FITNESS 2018 | 19
COVER STORY
“IcMD” – The Service and Application
“Healing is part of who we are as Indigenous people. It’s part of our culture. When Michael Birch came to ask me to join their team I knew right away that this could be a real turning point for how our people can get equal access to healthcare,” said Beach. “Returning to our roots and recognizing that a natural method exists to deal with many of the health issues in our communities is just one side of IcMD. We know not everything can be treated with medical cannabis, and that’s why we have also created the IcMD Pharmacy. Capable of filling any prescription and sending it to your door allows us to ensure we offer a more complete healthcare option.” 20 | HEALTH AND FITNESS 2018
“Because this is a fully-licensed Health Canada app, we are able to manage these comprehensive and secure medical records and potentially share them back with the local physician so that everyone can share medical information for the same individual,” said Henry. “In addition to our Canada-wide pharmacy services we will soon be licensed to ship Canadian quality and priced medications to any of our brother or sister nations in the United States or to any American who needs equal access to fair pricing.” The services offered by IcMD are primarily focused on those with chronic illnesses and conditions. A variety of custom healthcare and treatment plan options are provided, including medical cannabis prescriptions, medications and access to medical devices. The goal is to improve quality of life, achieve each person’s wellness goals and heal the body so people can live the best life possible. It’s up to the individual to choose the treatment plan with which they are most comfortable. “The hope is to get people back to a more natural method of healing, which may require the use of medical cannabis and CBDs, in turn reducing the reliance on pharmaceuticals,” explained Henry. “So many people are suffering from joint pain, arthritis and other ailments that can be treated without damage to the body by using medical cannabis. CBDs, for example, have nothing to do with getting high – they’re about managing inflammation, arthritis, mood stabilization and insomnia. Health Canada has had a medical
cannabis system in place since 2001. This is a long-established industry in which Health Canada itself lists over 25 conditions that can be treated with medical cannabis products. Health Canada has even approved clinical trials for using CBDs on pets.” Telemedicine is evolving at such a rapid pace that even now doctors are able to diagnose illnesses and medical issues using mobile technology. “There’s incredible technology coming out of countries like Israel that can turn your phone into a complete medical device and upload that information to your application so that it gets into your nurses’ and doctors’ hands,” said Henry. “They have blood pressure monitors that connect to and are powered by your phone, and blood glucose monitors for diabetes that take your readings and maintain the records for viewing by your doctor or nurse. Even devices that monitor you from a sensor on your body and administer insulin as required.” Many cell phone cameras today are capable of being used to see basic issues in eyes, ears, noses and throats. Uploading a picture of a skin issue could be enough to get a referral to the right specialist. With the advancements in telemedicine, IcMD will
Why le
IcMD is proud to have Hollywood actor Adam Beach join their company as an advisor and their official spokesperson. Beach, an advocate for the preservation of Indigenous communities and their rights as nations, is passionate about bringing healthcare to all Indigenous people.
Caption: Adam Beach, Spokesperson for IcMD
Adam Beach
“IcMD.ca” (NamasteMD) is a fully-licensed Health Canada application. Consultation services, advice and care are provided by doctors and nurses through video conferencing and remote patient monitoring. The service is free -- there is no charge for the app or consultations, and prescriptions are delivered right to the patient’s door. The only thing someone might pay for is medication if they do not have medical coverage.
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COVER STORY
IcMD Gives Back give everyone access to equal care from the comfort of their own homes. SAY asked Henry of IcMD if there is concern about not being able to reach those who do not have access to a digital device; “Indigenous people are some of the most digitally-connected groups, despite having a lack of access to many services. Almost everyone has a cell phone – we all rely on them,” said Henry. “With a goal of reaching 1.5 million people, it’s possible we won’t be able to reach everyone in every community in every region. However, provincial and federal governments are committing hundreds of millions of dollars to bring high-speed internet to rural and remote communities in the North. As they complete those programs, people will have increased access.” IcMD is part of what some may categorize as somewhat of a generational shift. The trend of faster, more efficient and more accessible care that offers virtual visits without having to leave home or the office has
become a priority for many of us in the fast-paced world in which we live. Additionally, the option to access more natural methods of healing and recovery is a welcomed alternative for many. IcMD asks that in considering your healthcare delivery systems and standard of care, and as with any new program or healthcare regime, to be responsible, do your research and understand the risks. Consider your healthcare goals and establish what you are and what you are not comfortable with. For additional information and resources on medical cannabis consult the Government of Canada website at https://www. canada.ca/en/health-canada/topics/accessing-cannabis-for-medical-purposes. html. For more information on IcMD and its services, please visit https://icmd.ca.
The Information provided in this article is for information purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of SAY Magazine or Spirit of Aboriginal Youth Enterprises. While cannabis can have medical benefits, it also comes with limitations and risks. Nothing in SAY Magazine or saymag.com should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of medicine. None of the individual contributors, developers, sponsors or anyone else connected to SAY are responsible for the results or consequences of any attempt to use or adopt any of the information presented in SAY magazine or on saymag.com.
IcMD is devoted to ensuring communities also benefit from this economic opportunity, and as a result they are committed to returning 5% of the gross profit back to each community from which it came. By tracking patient orders by location and community IcMD maintains a fund from which each community will benefit. When a community reaches its threshold of $5,000 IcMD will return to the community to offer that money back to the chief and council or community leadership to best decide where the funds are spent. The hope is that communities will develop social programs, scholarships or put the funds towards a needed community project. For communities that are interested in signing up as a whole, IcMD will offer an exclusive agreement of 10% of the gross profits back to that community. This will allow communities to see the economic benefit of medical cannabis or anything else IcMD provides to their members, whether those members live in the community or not. HEALTH AND FITNESS 2018 | 21
COVER STORY
FAQ
Will I have to use cannabis? Of course not. We (IcMD) believe that the over-prescription of pharmaceuticals to our people has had a negative effect on our communities. By offering a natural solution to many common conditions we would like to see a return to our traditional roots. However, cannabis is not a miracle cure-all. By consulting with you we will offer cannabis as an alternate treatment if it is accepted as such by Health Canada. You will decide which treatment and medication is right for you. IcMD can prescribe any medication outside of medical cannabis and fulfil the order from the IcMD Pharmacy direct to your door. Is there a cost? All upfront costs are borne by IcMD and Namaste Technologies. The consultation, development of a treatment plan and the issuance of a prescription are free to you. If your private insurance or coverage under the Health Canada NIHB plan does not cover the product, then you would be required to pay the cost of the medication only.
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Does insurance cover this? Yes, in the same way your current insurance covers prescriptions. The NIHB plan by Health Canada has a comprehensive list of products covered, and more are being added all the time. IcMD and its team completes all applications for you to your private insurance or Health Canada NIHB plan. Additionally we are proud to support all RCMP, local and provincial police plans, and currently serving members or veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces. How do you ensure our children and youth do not get access to cannabis or other prescriptions? Namaste’s proprietary artificial intelligence and facial recognition software follows the supply chain from video consultation to delivery. The software matches your provided ID and supplied pictures with the face in front of the screen. At the door the minimum standard is to match the order with a physical ID. Together this ensures no unauthorized person can use your account, access your records, place an order or intercept your delivery.
COVER STORY
Who is
Namaste
Technologies?
N
amaste Technologies (TSXV:N) is a global leader in the sale of medical cannabis consumption devices and other high-quality cannabis products and accessories. Having officially launched in 2016, Namaste now has nine offices with multiple distribution centres around the globe and operates over 30 websites under various brands. Namaste has developed innovative technology platforms including NamasteMD, a unique, cutting-edge telemedicine service and Canada’s first ever ACMPR (Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations) licensed and compliant telemedicine application. The company’s subsidiary CannMart Inc. is an ACMPR-licensed producer offering a large variety of medical cannabis sourced from domestic and international producers. CannMart is pioneering a unique AI system that will allow patients to intuitively find the best strain for their condition, lifestyle and temperament.
Left to right: Christopher Henry, Kory Zelickson (Namaste Technologies), Michael Birch, Jesse Lavoie (Namaste Technologies)
Focusing on patient acquisition through its application “NamasteMD”, the company intends on building Canada’s largest
database of medical cannabis patients. In May 2018 Namaste acquired machine-learning technology leaders Findify. Together Namaste and Findify are creating a never-before-seen AI system that will transform the face of the medical cannabis prescription process. Namaste is one of the top five cannabis companies in Canada and one of the largest corporations in its sector. The company is forward-thinking and has devoted an enormous amount of resources and expertise into developing strategies and technologies that will change the face of the cannabis industry and transform it into a true consumer market of the 21st century. Namaste aims to find ways to make the market more convenient and user-friendly while also pushing the boundaries of the e-commerce sphere. Learn more about Namaste Technologies: www.namastetechnologies.com Namaste Technologies stock is listed on the following CDN/US exchanges: TSXV:N / OTC:NXTTF
The above information is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be investment advice. Seek a duly licensed professional for investment advice. HEALTH AND FITNESS 2018 | 23
MUSIC
Joyslam is a Funk/Rock combo led by Toronto (Ontario, Canada) based Mohawk artist RJ Martine, along with creative collaborator and friend Bryant Didier. Heard on radio stations throughout North America, Australia, Europe and Asia, Joyslam delivers an explosive mix of funk, rock, reggae, dance and ska. Joyslam has had 3 top singles on the Aboriginal Music Countdown, a North American Top 40 styled syndicated radio program, with their single “Set The World” hitting #1 on the charts. Martine’s funk-inspired rock songwriting has been compared to the likes of Prince and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and is reminiscent of the 80s and early 90s funk/rock sound. Martine has an intense passion for music – he is a charismatic powerhouse with heightened vocal abilities. Martine engages and commands his audience’s attention through drama and music. His creed is:“Music is everything. Anything else is a distraction!”
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“Where have you been all our lives, Joyslam?! Let me be clear about something. I’m not being coy, I’m not being facetious and I’m not speaking ironically. I LOVE JOYSLAM. And I’ll scream it from the mountain tops. I want this guy to have all the success in the world, so show this to your Auntie, Grandpa and third-cousin twice removed.” - Richard Howard, A.Side Magazine
Infused with engaging and positive messages, Joyslam’s dynamic amalgamation of musical styles and unique technicality defines the sound and vision of Joyslam. Joyslam has played several major festivals, including the Worldfest Multicultural Festival with musicians from Australia, South America, The United Kingdom and Africa; and has also opened for rock icon Burton Cummings (of The Guess Who) to a crowd of over 5,000 people. Since 2003 Joyslam has released five albums. Their first single “Who Do You Want To Be” can be heard on airwaves from coast to coast. Fitness Fun Fact: Martine stays active by practicing Kung-Fu in the pool. “The water acts as resistance and balance,” says Martine. “I then do the same practice on land. It’s fun and doesn’t seem like exercise which is key in being consistent.”
Twin Flames
MUSIC
2018 Native American Music Awards Winners for Best Duo and Best Folk Album The captivating duo Twin Flames combines award-winning singer/songwriters Jaaji, an Inuk Mohawk from Nunavik (Quebec, Canada), and Chelsey June, an Algonquin Cree Métis from Ottawa (Ontario, Canada). Jaaji and June met in the summer of 2014 during the filming of the television series TAM (Talent Autochtones Musicaux) for APTN. Their voices matched one another’s perfectly right from the start, so the two then decided to form Twin Flames. Together they prove that music should be about how it makes the listener feel. With thought-provoking songs, they gently educate audiences on Indigenous and Inuit history and current issues. Twin Flames takes the audience on a musical journey across Canada and the Arctic, echoing the voices of their ancestors and depicting life on the land as they sing in English, Inuktitut and French. Their songs leave audiences fascinated, intrigued and inspired. They released their joint debut album Jaaji and Chelsey June on December 1, 2015, at Cabaret la Basoche (in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada), where they were chosen as favourite upcoming artists. In June 2017 they released their much-anticipated second album Signal Fire. Their song “Porchlight”(from their debut album) topped the charts, reaching #1 on the Indigenous Music Countdown.
Twin Flames has earned many nominations and accolades, including Aboriginal Songwriters of the Year at both the 2016 and 2017 Canadian Folk Music Awards. Their self-titled album Jaaji & Chelsey June received a total of five nominations from several different award platforms including: Best Folk Recording Debut Duo of the Year (Native American Music Awards), Best Indigenous Artists (Independent Music Awards) and Best Folk Album (Indigenous Music Awards 2017). This year, the duo was nominated in three categories at the Canadian Folk Music Awards, three categories at the Teweikan Music Awards and three categories at the 2018 Indian Summer Music Awards. On October 12 Twin Flames won big at the
2018 Native American Music Awards for Best Folk Album and Best Duo, and received seven nominations overall - the most nominations ever awarded to one artist/group in the history of the awards. Moreover their music video “Broke Down Ski’tuuq”, nominated for Best Music Video Recording Performance, is the first Inuktitut music video to make it into the Best Music Video category. Since the launch of their first album in 2015 this powerful husband-wife duo has played over 700 shows, with performances that have taken them across Canada, the United States and the Arctic regions. What started as a small flame has turned into a raging fire that is lighting the hearts of listeners and fans. HEALTH AND FITNESS 2018 | 25
MUSIC
Crystal Shawanda Sometimes even the most stage, I was singing Etta instinctive singers need a little time to find their true voice. Just ask Crystal Shawanda.
This Canadian-born, Nashville-based musician and songwriter has built a career on her hugely emotive performances; scoring a major label deal, chart hits, critical acclaim, marquee tours and a fervent fan following along the way. She was even the star of a reality show, Crystal: Living the Dream, on CMT in 2008. Yet it has taken Shawanda until her fifth studio album Voodoo Woman to pinpoint her essence as a blues singer, having previously identified as a country artist. Growing up on the Wikwemikong First Nation reserve (Ontario, Canada), Shawanda was first introduced to her blues hero Big Mama Thornton, and fell in love with the genre. “My whole life I feel like I’ve been given these stepping stones to the blues,” Shawanda says. “The whole time I was singing Patsy Cline on
James at home,” Shawanda says. “Singing the blues is like letting a bird out of a cage. This feels like what I am supposed to be doing. When I sing the blues, I can let loose and really be who I am as a vocalist and song stylist.”
Shawanda’s fearless artistic spirit has given her the courage to take her career in a whole new musical direction. The shift began emerging in her 2014 album The Whole World’s Got the Blues and has fully blossomed in Voodoo Woman. Voodoo Woman — cut live, off-the-floor in Nashville alongside many talented guests — includes tributes to Shawanda’s blues heroes as well as previously released originals, re-cut to meet the ever-evolving standards of Shawanda and
Nov 19 | Twin Flames Nov 26 | Joyslam Dec 3 26 | HEALTH AND FITNESS 2018
| Crystal Shawanda
her co-producer and husband, guitarist/collaborator Dewayne Strobel. Notable originals on the new album include the saucy and slowly percolating “Cry Out for More”, a Shawanda/ Strobel co-write. “It’s a song about the push and pull of relationships… working through those moments of ‘You drive me crazy… but I’m also crazy about you,’” says Shawanda. The album also features “Bluetrain”, a song Shawanda and Stroble wrote showing the correlation between missing and murdered Indigenous women in the north, and black women in the south. “This album is really inspired by the resilience of women who were survivors of love, of the music business, of life. That was their voodoo. They were survivors, and so am I.” “I am so grateful to my country fans for the career they’ve given me,” Shawanda adds. “But everybody has new dreams every day, and if we don’t chase them we’ll never figure out who we really are. I hope my country fans find the courage to chase their dreams too.”
MUSIC
GLASS TIGER
Glass Tiger Collaborates with Susan Aglukark & David R. Maracle in Remake of “Diamond Sun”
It’s been 30 years since rock group Glass Tiger released their 3x Canadian Platinum album Diamond Sun. “We’re fans of Susan Aglukark’s music, so we reached out to her. We were delighted she got back to us saying she’d be thrilled to take part.”
In 1988 apartheid was making headlines around the world for the mistreatment and racial segregation of the people of Africa. Glass Tiger wanted to shed light on the situation in Africa, while also focusing on Canada’s Indigenous people. “We felt that some of the challenges and struggles faced by Canada’s Indigenous people were similar to the challenges that the people from Africa faced under apartheid rules,” says Sam Reid of Glass Tiger. The song “Diamond Sun” was created with the final version focusing more on Canadian issues. The song and video released for “Diamond Sun” rippled within Canada’s Indigenous community in an unexpected way. “We had no idea this song would resonate with First Nations the way it did. It was a wonderful surprise,” says Reid. Because of the song’s success, Glass Tiger was invited to perform in First Nation communities
across the country. “Getting to play the song for Indigenous people was a definite highlight of the tour back then.” Jump ahead to 2018… Glass Tiger released a new album called 31 – produced by country superstar Johnny Reid – featuring two brand new songs, and 11 reimagined greatest hits. Since 31 celebrates brotherhood and friendship, Glass Tiger wanted to invite someone from the First Nations community to join in recording a new version of “Diamond Sun”, and they knew exactly with whom they wanted to collaborate.
Brain Games In recent years there’s been an upsurge of brain-training games and apps, available to anyone with a smartphone. But do these brain-training games hold any real benefit?
Western University (Ontario, Canada) shared findings from a new study led by a team of Western University neuroscientists that discredits claims that getting better at a brain-training game can translate to improved performance in other, untrained cognitive tasks. This study, published in the journal Neuropsychologia, set out to test whether hours of “brain-training” in one game could give someone an edge in a second game that uses the same area of the brain. If this proved true, then it would support the claims that brain-training apps can improve working memory, which is vital for learning, retaining information and staving off memory loss. But researchers found that the high scores in the first game did not boost the participants’ perfor-
mance in the second game. In fact, their scores were equal to scores achieved by the “untrained” control group. “We hypothesized that if you get really, really good at one test by training for a very long time,
In addition to bringing her talents and Inuktitut language to “Diamond Sun”, Aglukark had an idea for another Indigenous musician to bring on board. “Susan suggested bringing David Maracle to provide unique Native percussion and singing. So we traveled to a studio on the Mohawk reservation where David records, and had this incredible session.” The result of this spontaneous and unique collaboration is a contemporary and timely take on Glass Tiger’s “Diamond Sun”, a true Canadian classic. By RoseAnna Schick, RAS Creative
Gain or no gain
maybe then you’ll get improvement on tests that are quite similar. Unfortunately, we found no evidence to support that claim,” says Bobby Stojanoski, a research scientist at Western’s world-renowned Brain and Mind Institute, and lead author of the paper. Sleep, exercise and socialization are better than apps. Stojanoski concludes there are other, proven ways to improve memory and brain health, which include better sleep, regular exercise, proper nutrition and education. “If you’re looking to improve your cognitive self, instead of playing a video game or playing a brain-training test for an hour, go for a walk, go for a run, socialize with a friend. These are much better things for you.” Source: Western University Media Relations www.medicalnewstoday.com HEALTH AND FITNESS 2018 | 27
Information has been provided from The 2018 ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth with permission from ParticipACTION. Source: ParticipACTION. The Brain + Body Equation: Canadian kids need active bodies to build their best brains. The 2018 ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. Toronto: ParticipACTION; 2018. 28 | HEALTH AND FITNESS 2018
RESOURCES
Indigenous Sport Since 2013 the Aboriginal Sport Circle and Sport for Life Society have partnered to enhance the health and well-being of Indigenous peoples across Canada. Over the past five years several resources and trainings have been built to support the implementation of Indigenous Sport for Life, with the input from over 260 leaders across the country. The Aboriginal Communities: Active for Life resource and accompanying full-day workshop were created with guidance from Indigenous leaders throughout the country, with the purpose of inspiring community leaders looking for culturally-tailored resources that act as a vehicle toward individual and community holistic development. The resource and workshop supports these individual champions as they embark on a journey to develop sustainable quality sport and physical activity programs, build collaborative relationships, and re-engage their community members into active and healthy lifestyles. This resource provides leaders with: An understanding of the importance of physical activity and an introduction to the concept of physical literacy, which is the development of movement skills, confidence to participate, and motivation and enjoyment to be Active for Life! A feeling of empowerment to support and deliver quality sport and physical literacy-enriched programs in their communities Ideas to support their participants’ physical, mental (emotional and intellectual), cultural and spiritual needs Tools, resources and action plans to help get their communities more active For more information on these resources and workshops, please visit sportforlife.ca/indigenous-peoples or contact emily@sportforlife.ca.
Aboriginal Communities: Active for Life
The Aboriginal Long-Term Participant Development Pathway resource and accompanying full-day workshop is for sport and physical activity organizations to enhance their understanding about how to support Indigenous participants and athletes in their programming. It helps leaders develop an understanding about our shared history as Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada, and an appreciation of Indigenous culture and how that culture plays out in terms of engagement and sustained participation through the sport system. This resource outlines the key elements that need to be considered when planning, developing and implementing programs for, and with, Indigenous peoples and communities, including a focus on supporting the physical, mental, spiritual and cultural needs of the individual to maximize their experience in sport and physical activity. HEALTH AND FITNESS 2018 | 29
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