After a difficult time in her life experiencing homelessness in Toronto, *Laura found support in reconnecting with her Indigenous identity.
At Covenant House, she was introduced to the Elder-in-Residence program – titled Mii Yoi Moon, which means in Cree “to have peace within and peace throughout.”
Here, Laura found a long-sought after sense of belonging – a feeling that, for many young people who walk through our doors, goes a long way towards healing.
For the past two years, Cree Elder Harry Snowboy, his partner Juliana Matoush-Snowboy and Cultural Practitioner Erika Iserhoff from Strong Earth Associates, have built connections with staff and with youth, and integrated Indigenous knowledge into the agency’s programs and services as part of the Elder-in-Residence program they built.
“At its core, the program is about helping youth reconnect with themselves, their cultures, and their communities,” Erika says. “The team has focused on supporting Indigenous youth while also creating opportunities for learning across the organization through Indigenous cultural safety and awareness training for staff, open teachings on topics such as Two-Spirit understandings, Cree rites of passage, traditional governance, and traditional healing.”
Some youth have even been given their spirit name by Harry – a powerful point of reconnection with Indigenous culture and identity.
Through the Elder-in-Residence program, Harry and Erika have been an essential part of Covenant House’s ability to provide critical services to Indigenous youth who are a population that are disproportionately represented amongst those experiencing homelessness in Toronto.
“It’s important that youth see themselves reflected within the organization and have access to supports that foster a sense of belonging, safety, connection, and cultural identity,” Erika says. “This program has been able to deliver on that.”
Mii Yoi Moon has grown as well through the nurturing of partnerships with other local Indigenous serving organizations who have been referring young people to Covenant House services.
The impact has been profound.
An important moment for Laura came when Covenant House supported her in taking a bus back to her Indigenous community for a visit.
“That was huge for her,” says Chantal, supervisor at Covenant House’s on-site transitional housing program and a member of the Indigenous Action Committee at Covenant House.
The Elder-in-Residence program has also been meaningful for staff, especially those like Chantal who share Indigenous ancestry.
“This work really connects me to my mom. Before she died, after years of displacement from her culture, she returned to her home for her final years,” Chantal said.
“To be a part of reconnecting youth with their cultural identities means so much and is helping so many of us heal.”