This introductory workshop delves into the effects of colonization on Indigenous communities.
About this Event

This introductory workshop delves into the effects of colonization on Indigenous communities, encompassing biological, physiological, mental, and societal aspects. It also explores the path to healing and growth through the Two-Eyed Seeing method and how we can work together as a community to promote healing.

Impacts of Colonization & Decolonization: The history of colonization and background contributes to what is being seen, cultural perspectives around trauma and mental health.

Statistics, Stigmas, & Myths: Review of research on current understandings, statistics around Indigenous mental health and wellness, stigmas and societal implications on our health and wellbeing.

Supportive Strategies: Review of Ethno Stress and research-based approaches to healing. Stress and trauma on the brain and body and how we can use this information to approach our Indigenous clients. How we use culture as healing medicine.

Healing Practices: Use of the Two-Eyed Seeing Approach in practice. Considerations of Western psychological approaches and Indigenous approaches to mental health and holistic healing.

Truth & Reconciliation: The movement towards Truth and Reconciliation. Building allyship. How we can work together in the mental health field to embody this in our work and move towards healing and growth.

Leigh Sheldon, R. Psych

Mrs. Leigh Sheldon is a Registered Psychologist from Swan River First Nation with extensive experience in both clinical practice and academia. She has served as a professor, teaching Indigenous Psychology and LifeSpan Development at the University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills. In 2021, Leigh founded Indigenous Psychological Services (IPS), which now has 33 practitioners with offices in Edmonton, Calgary, Sawridge First Nation, and Enoch Cree Nation.

Leigh has been in the mental health field since 2003, beginning her work in northern communities to support healthy choices for Indigenous families. After moving to Edmonton, she spent six years as a clinical supervisor at Night Wind Treatment Center, where she developed a treatment program that honored the Wheel of Change.

As a complex trauma specialist, Leigh is a certified Somatic Attachment Practitioner, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and EMDR practitioner, and is currently training in Indigenous Focused Oriented Therapy. She uses Indigenous trauma-informed techniques that honor the Medicine Wheel, integrating cultural practices into clinical settings. Her work emphasizes the impacts of colonization, historical influences, systemic racism, and oppression.

Leigh honors the Two-Eyed Seeing approach, blending Western and Indigenous perspectives in her practice. Through experiential activities and land-based healing, she demonstrates the importance of holistic approaches and the connection to land as a pathway to healing.