Omamoo Wango Gamik : Creating a home for Indigenous youth during a global pandemic – Mar. 17, 2022

Unlike most housing programs that focus on the physical structure as the solution to ending homelessness, Indigenous-led programs move away from the settler-colonial definition of homelessness. This webinar will discuss the importance of focusing on Indigenous people’s spiritual reconnection to their Indigenous identity which involves a relationship to all living creatures, land, culture, languages, ceremony, family and all our relations as an effective strategy for preventing Indigenous youth homelessness. Presenters will also describe the challenges of doing community-based research during COVID-19 and the challenges of assisting Indigenous youth in reconnecting with their ancestry, culture, and the land.

One week following the webinar, we will host a live discussion facilitated by presenters. Register here.

Bios:
Carola Cunningham: CEO Niginan Housing Ventures

Ms Carola Cunningham has over 40 years of experience in education, justice, community health and wellness and addictions recovery. She has designed developed and delivered programs tailored to the needs of Indigenous communities. She possesses first hand knowledge of the complexities and diversities of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Cynthia Puddu: Assistant Professor MacEwan University

Dr. Cynthia Puddu is a Community-based researcher focusing on youth homelessness and structural barriers to housing. Using community-based participatory research methods, she works closely with unhoused youth in Edmonton, sharing their stories of difficulty and success. Cynthia is interested in using her research to work as an ally and advocate for populations that have been historically silenced.

The CBRCanada webinar is part of a 8 part series: Community-Based Research & COVID-19: Addressing Widening Inequities and Amplifying Community-based Visions for Change.

The zoom link will be emailed out to prior to the event. Zoom access will also be available on eventbrite ***

We hope to see you there!

The CBRCanada Team