Mental Health and Wellness Program, Meadow Lake: A Journey of Growth and Community

By Nicole Genereaux and Jennifer Jones, DTI Instructors?

The following article was originally published in the GDI Communicator Vol. 18 Issue 9, September 2024. The Communicator is a monthly internal newsletter intended to celebrate the achievements of the management and staff of the Gabriel Dumont Institute. You can find the archive of previous issues in the Virtual Museum of Métis History and Culture.

Being part of the Dumont Technical Institute’s Mental Health and Wellness Program

in Meadow Lake has been a profound experience. This program isn’t just about the students, it’s about the incredible exchange of knowledge, culture, and healing that is shared between us all. We often find ourselves learning as much from our students as they learn from us. This cohort has been exceptional. Their dedication, resilience, and passion for giving back to their community have created an atmosphere where growth is shared, and community is at the centre of everything we do.??

One of the most unforgettable moments is watching our students take what they’ve learned and put it into practice. Field Experiences, like at the Mistohey Treatment Centre, Flying Dust Mental Health Services, and The Door of Hope (to name a few), have provided real-world insight that you just can’t get in a classroom. But what truly moves us is how deeply the students care about their communities. They aren’t just studying, they’re actively participating in wellness initiatives, like organizing activities, being a part of Ceremony, and participating in the building of a Sweat Lodge. For some, stepping into their first Sweat Lodge was a transformative experience. You could see the weight they carried being lifted as they connected with their culture and themselves. Our sharing circles, monthly class potlucks, and shared experiences at various wellness conferences have become spaces where healing isn’t just for others, it’s for us, too.??

Our students are incredible at how they put their knowledge to work. Field placements offer them a chance to practice in real-world settings, working with individuals and families to make a tangible difference. But what’s even more inspiring is seeing how these experiences lead to personal growth. Many students apply the skills they learn to their own lives, families, and communities, showing that this program is just as much about personal healing as it is about professional development.??

This program asks a lot of our students, but the rewards are equally powerful. We expect them to engage fully, not just with their studies but with themselves. Field placements, group projects, essays, and self-reflection exercises challenge them to dig deep. They are asked to face their own traumas, to be vulnerable, and to commit to their personal growth. It’s hard work, but it’s the kind of work that transforms lives, not just their own, but the lives of the people that they will go on to help.??

Métis culture is at the core of everything we do in this program. It’s important to us that students are immersed in Indigenous ways of knowing and being from the start. Whether through guest speakers, field trips, or land-based learning, students engage with cultural practices like Sweats, sharing circles, and community-driven projects. It’s more than just mental health education, it’s about holistic wellness, grounded in the wisdom of our ancestors and communities. This program is a journey, a commitment to healing ourselves, so we can bring that healing back to our people. We’re all learning together, and it’s this connection to one another and our culture that makes the experience so powerful.?