Decolonizing Mental Health and Addictions Care with Dr. Rennie Linklater

How can mental health providers and addictions services ensure culturally safe care? Dr. Rennie Linklater shares some of the ways that Shkaabe Makwa, a Centre for First Nations, Inuit and Métis Wellness at CAMH, the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health in Toronto, grounds their work in spiritual, psychological and cultural safety to support Indigenous people on their healing journey.

 

Rennie Linklater, PhD, is the Senior Director of Shkaabe Makwa. Rennie describes Shkaabe Makwa's main service areas in patient care, workforce development, training, research, and strategic initiatives at CAMH. Rennie also describes the importance of relationships with the local Indigenous community, and supporting their staff in strengthening their cultural grounding.

 

Rennie Linklater is a member of Rainy River First Nations in northwestern Ontario. Rennie has twenty-five years’ experience working with Indigenous healing agencies and First Nation communities. Her passion has brought her to work across the health and education sectors as a front-line worker, program evaluator, curriculum developer, educator/trainer, and researcher. She is an international speaker on trauma and healing and the author of "Decolonizing Trauma Work: Indigenous Stories and Strategies." 

This podcast is produced by the Communications Department at the Anishinabek Nation. 

Music: “Brothers” by Wolf Saga and Chippewa Travellers, and “Falling Forward” by Justin Delorme, licensed by Nagamo Publishing.

Click here to download the transcript: 
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/g37je6ksyfvq4a25/EP19_Transcript_Linklater_FINAL_2025-02-10.pdf

Links: 

Shkaabe Makwa: 
https://www.camh.ca/en/driving-change/shkaabe-makwa

Decolonizing Trauma Work: Indigenous Stories and Strategies: 
https://fernwoodpublishing.ca/book/decolonizing-trauma-work

Connected in Creation: A Collection of Lived Experience through Cultural Expression:  
https://www.camh.ca/en/driving-change/shkaabe-makwa/-/media/files/shkaabe-makwa-connected-in-creation-anthology-pdf.pdf