In this engaging information sharing and networking session, learn how the arts are making a positive impact on the health and wellbeing in our schools and communities and discover online resources for incorporating new techniques in your own practice and/or pedagogy. Network with local artists and educators to explore partnership and collaborative opportunities, and leave with new tools and ideas to rejuvenate your classroom, workplace or artistic practice.
Event Schedule
4:00 - Welcome and introductions from the Canadian Network for Arts & Learning
4:10 - A movement warm-up by Marion Erickson called Ears, Nose, Mouth and Chin (in Dakelh) – BOOK GOES TO WINNER! This is an activity about understanding our own bodies in an Indigenous language which Marion often leads for professionals in the medical community to policy makers and more.
4:20 - A presentation called Creative Anti-Colonial Social Justice: Introducing Work by the Health Arts Research Centre (HARC) - More information below
4:45 - A closing activity led by Marion Erickson followed by Q & A
4:55 - Networking, refreshments and community information sharing
5:15 - Focus groups and discussion
5:55 - Wrap up and reflection
More information about the presentation from HARC
Since 2010, the Health Arts Research Centre (HARC) has been extending understandings about how arts and creative practices can be put to work in the service of anti-colonial and socially-just ways of knowing being in healthcare and medicine. Located in the Northern Medical Program, a distributed site of the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Medicine, HARC brings together a diverse collection of researchers, artists, activists, and community members in efforts to unsettle taken for granted (often biased) trends in healthcare and medical practices. Located on Lheidli T'enneh territory in Prince George, at the University of Northern British Columbia, members of HARC are particularly focused on determinants of health, including northern and rural geographies, colonialism, heteronormative patriarchy, and fit/able-body bias. This short ½ hour workshop gives a flavor of HARC’s work: participants will engage in a movement exercise that includes learning the Dakelh language. This is followed by a presentation about HARC activities. The workshop closes with a short creative engagement and some time for questions and discussion.
Marion Erickson is the Research Manager at the Health Arts Research Centre at UNBC’s Northern Medical Program. Marion Erickson is a Dakelh woman from the community of Nak’azdli and is a member of the Lhts’umusyoo (Beaver) Clan. Marion is Masters of Education candidate at Thompson Rivers University. Marion completed a Bachelors of Public Administration and Community Development from UNBC as well as the Applied Business Technology Certificate program at the College of New Caledonia.
Marion is currently serving BC College of Oral Health Professionals as a board member representing the public as well as the Provinces Anti-Racism Data Committee. Marion also currently serves the British Columbia Health Regulators Indigenous Student Advisory Group.
Marion has worked with the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and BC Cancer to release a set of Indigenous cervical cancer screening materials that are intended to bring awareness to the public and health professionals about how intergenerational trauma can impact Aboriginal women’s access to health care. Marion’s current research is focused on revitalizing Dakelh midwifery practice and providing community members with information on traditional Dakelh midwifery practice.
Throughout Marion’s experiences, Marion has recognized that the health and well-being of Indigenous people are connected to the health and well-being of the land. Marion also recognizes art as a way of storytelling and that this storytelling is a powerful way to build relationships within our northern communities. This relationship building is necessary to work collectively towards actively addressing health inequalities in the north.
We are grateful to the Canada Council for the Arts for the support of our Eduarts Hubs events.
Vancouver, BC V6B3L4
Canada