Indigenous Community Praxis and Programs during COVID-19

Abstract

The COVID-19 Pandemic has substantially affected Indigenous communities. Deterrence of physical and mental health within Indigenous communities has been prevalent through unjust social, environmental and economic factors, due to pre-existing health conditions, unsustainable and overcrowded housing, limited health care and mental health services, and inadequate access to clean drinking water (Independent Auditor’s Report, 2021). These factors have resulted in exacerbated mental health and trauma symptoms (Arriagada, et. al., 2020). Indigenous communities have needed to adapt methods of attaining mental health and medical services, in order to maintain personal and communal wellbeing. We offer a summary of the delivery of two programs: The Medicine Keeper Wellness Program and Creative Corner Program, which were conducted in Northern Central Interior and Southern Indigenous communities by Indigenous social workers, to continue individual and community wellness. These programs navigated the barriers presented as a result of COVID-19 and the restrictions therein, to accessing social work and therapeutic services.