Page 89 - Six Nations Community Plan 2019

WELLBEING: WHAT WE HEARD AROUND THE TABLE…

Where we have come from:

Well-being is like a protective cloak that holds and supports everything in our community. When we are well, we can live up to
our responsibilities as Haudenosaunee people. Our Ka’nikonhrí:io (Good Mind) teachings have been the basis of our culture
and wellness for centuries, allowing us to know ourselves and form healthy relationships with each other. Everything we did to
sustain ourselves was done to keep us well. 500 years of contact, wars, colonialism, and the pressures of the modern world have
damaged our unique protective tools that we need to keep ourselves healthy, happy and strong.

Where we are today:

Colonial history has led to much of the hurt and trauma our community experiences today. We are still recovering from
residential schools whether as former school survivors or through intergenerational trauma. Our fractured internal politics and
impacts from external impositions force us to be in reactionary mode; we struggle to take the time we need to heal and nurture
our wellbeing as a community. Our physical health is impacted by our modern way of life in the way we nourish ourselves and
exercise. While as a community we may be dealing with a lot of illness, we are on a healing journey. What unites us as a people
keeps us caring. We help each other and support community members in crisis because as Haudenosaunee people our hearts
motivate us. Hardworking community members are providing an incredible and growing array of services which enable us to
pursue physical, mental, spiritual, emotional and family wellbeing right in our community.

How we will move into the future:

Well-being will grow as healthy individuals create healthy families, workplaces, schools, social and volunteer groups, clan
families, church and other spiritual groups, sports organizations, businesses, and eventually an overall healthy community. All
of the other Community Priorities work in interconnected ways to build our wellbeing:
• Through our relationship with Mother Earth we can enjoy a clean environment and a sustainable food system.
• A strong connection to our Culture through our teachings, language, culture and art will allow us to know ourselves
and be spiritually and mentally strong. Our traditions, including our food, medicines, ceremonies and ways of working
can be the foundation to keep us well in today’s modern world.
• Unity in Governance will allow us to stand up for our needs as a community and heal internally.
• A complete Community will be a safe place where strong families can participate and where we have a shared plan to
achieve our vision.
• A safe and accessible Built Environment of clean water, access to housing, facilities and transportation provides the
physical space that all need to be well.
• Holistic Employment & Education will empower all to learn the skills they need to succeed and take responsibility for
their wellbeing and provide for their community.
• By planning and working together on our Wealth & Economy we generate the financial resources to support
ourselves and ensure all our members have their basic needs met to be well.

Our Vision for the future is that…

“Six Nations is a community where all our people’s needs are
met so they can enjoy physical, mental, emotional and spiritual
wellbeing and flourish as Haudenosaunee.”

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