At 60 years old, Billy Archie says heSA国际影视传媒檚 still learning how to be of service as an Elder.

With the advent of the Truth and Reconciliation movement, he says he was inspired to take on a new career and learn new skills to become a community leader.

Later this month, Archie will become one of 15 students, representing 11 NWT communities, in the first graduating class of the Northern Indigenous Counselling initiative.

The program is the initiative of Jean and Bill Erasmus, therapists and certified life coaches who founded the counselling company Dene Wellness Warriors. Jean Erasmus says the idea for the program came out of her experience offering emotional support at an event hosted by Indigenous Services Canada in 2019. SA国际影视传媒淥ut of all three territories, there were 54 counselors, and I was the only Indigenous one,SA国际影视传媒� she says.

SA国际影视传媒淎nd so I said, SA国际影视传媒極h my goodness, thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a gap here. ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 a need for Indigenous counselors.SA国际影视传媒橲A国际影视传媒�

The Erasmuses decided to bring to the North the Professional Counselling Diploma program of Rhodes Wellness college, where they both studied. Roy Erasmus says he especially wanted to carry over the experiential component of the Rhodes program. SA国际影视传媒淓very technique that you learn, you go through yourself,SA国际影视传媒� he says. SA国际影视传媒淎nd so youSA国际影视传媒檙e working on yourself all the way through for all six semesters of the program. So we said, we really liked that aspect, because weSA国际影视传媒檙e a lot healthier when we finished than when we started.SA国际影视传媒�

Burnice Mandeville, a student from Fort Resolution, says she recommends the program not just for those looking to enter counselling, but for those who want to learn to deal with their own traumas. SA国际影视传媒淭he instructors are very patient and professional; They made us feel welcome and safe,SA国际影视传媒� she says.

Jean Erasmus says the students have undergone a profound personal transformation throughout the course. SA国际影视传媒淚 saw big, big changes in their development, in their self esteem,SA国际影视传媒� she says.

The 18-month program was highly intensive, with students only getting breaks at Christmas and over the summer, totalling just six weeks. Although almost 50 students applied, the limitations imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic meant numbers were cut down significantly.

Archie says the last 18 months have been emotionally taxing, listening to the stories of survivors and their descendants.

SA国际影视传媒淎 lot of the traumaSA国际影视传媒檚 so real,SA国际影视传媒� he says.

ArchieSA国际影视传媒檚 connection to these traumas is highly personal.

SA国际影视传媒淕rowing up at the time when the first survivors were really trying to hide the pain or deal with the pain, and there was no resources there for them, suicide really impacted me,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淎 few people close to me committed suicide, so it was something I eventually dealt with in this program.SA国际影视传媒�

Archie says heSA国际影视传媒檚 particularly interested in eco therapy, which uses nature as its main tool. SA国际影视传媒淕et them back on the land, and hear the birds singing again, eating fresh fish out of the net, and all that. Like, really get them grounded.SA国际影视传媒�

Jean Erasmus says many of the incoming graduates are already getting job offers; Most of them will be returning to their home communities to work, and all of them will be staying in the North.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think thereSA国际影视传媒檚 eleven communities who will be benefiting from from these new graduates,SA国际影视传媒� she says.

Jean Erasmus says the next round of the program will be trauma-focused. SA国际影视传媒淲e were noticing that thatSA国际影视传媒檚 whatSA国际影视传媒檚 really needed in the Northwest Territories, in our communities,SA国际影视传媒� she says.

Although Archie is grateful for the work the Erasmuses have done to create the program, he says thereSA国际影视传媒檚 still much more work that needs to be done in the communities. SA国际影视传媒淟etSA国际影视传媒檚 get these damn wellness programs done, and letSA国际影视传媒檚 focus on stumbling blocks to get people healthy again, both mentally and physically.SA国际影视传媒�