Dii guudang.ngaay xuusda Shattered by grief

Rhonda Lee McIsaac

Guudang.ngaay xuusda grief is a deep sorrow that drifts throughout the communities like fog around Haida Gwaii. It wraps us up and consumes us and can take us afar in memories, emotions, and even into illness. It is tough times like these that our health care providers, healers, and helpers can take care of us. They can help our bodies, our minds, our spirits, our families, and our communities. Health workers and services providers offer core foundations of Haida spirituality, ceremony, and healing to help make us well or gently move us towards wellness.

Ga k’aay.yas. ga’k’uulas sing.Gidts’ii Gaangdang ad hla sding.
Be with the Elders, leaders, and those who are suffering.
(Source: The Meeting Prayer- XaaydaGa Dlaang Society)

Each service listed below is available to provide support in times of grief and sorrow. These programs and professionals bring us back to a circle of wellness, wholeness, and assist in moving with grief that we may be carrying.

HLLGAAGILDA SKIDEGATE

Events:

Thursday, December 19 | 5:30pm

 “We’re opening this up to men of all ages and from all the communities. You are not alone. We all have to listen to each other to help each other,” says Huux Percy Crosby to all men who are grieving and dealing with personal, family, and workplace issues.  

UPDATED December 23 – January 3
Sue Gladstone will be working with Patricia June Vickers, PhD, Registered Clinical Counsellor, Spiritual Director International. They will be available on-calling working out of the Strong Minds House by appointment. View the original post here.

To make a private and confidential appointments, call:

• Dr. Patricia Vickers: 778-361-0180
• Sue Gladstone: 778-361-0179

Friday, January 10, 2020 | 9am-4pm
GaaGagaay Men’s Wellness Day, Skidegate Community Hall

A day dedicated to men’s wellness. Come network, learn holistic healing methods with Tom Smith, and find inspiration towards a path of health. Special guest speakers include: Chief William “Billy” Yovanovich and Lee Mason, national director of Young Warriors Network, renowned facilitator on addictions.

Lunch is provided and all men from all communities are welcome.

Week of January 13

Tom Smith, Intuitive Trauma Therapist, is returning to Skidegate. Watch for posters and call the Skidegate Health Centre to add your name to our appointment list. 250-559-4610

SERVICES

Xaaydaga Dlaang Society Skidegate Health Centre
250-559-4610

• Sue Gladstone, Crisis intervention and Indigenous Focusing Orientated Therapy, cultural wellness and alternative therapies. Sue can also organize Traditional Wellness ceremonies.
• Michelle Prouty & Carrie-Lee Duke, Self-Regulation Therapy
• Janet Rigg, Counseling (direct line: 778-361-0179)
• Pete Thompson, Traditional wellness and ceremonies (direct lines: 250-559-4216 or 778-645-4774)

HAIDA CHILD AND FAMILY COUNSELING SERVICES
Alison McDonald, confidential clinical counselling and mental health assessment. Alison’s mandate is to work with Haida families.  

250-280-7896

This service is unavailable from December 24, 2019 to Jan 2, 2020.

NORTHERN HEALTH COMMUNITY SERVICES
Laurie Husband and team; Mental health and addictions services for individual counseling.  

Haida Gwaii Clinic
250-559-4933, to access directory. 1 for Mental Health.

GAW TLAGEE Old Massett & Masset

Events:

TONIGHT Thursday, December 19 | 7:00pm

Blue Christmas Church Service
St Johns Church, Old Massett

Light a candle for loved ones who have passed on this year.

Additional services on Christmas Eve Mass at 8:00pm, Christmas Day Service at 11:00am, and New Year’s Eve at 11:00pm.

Sunday December 22, 2019 | 5:00pm departure (weather permitting)

Charlie Bellis Sail Past

in honour of Taaw.ga Halaa’Leyga May Russ

All boats welcome to leave from the Government Dock and sail in front of Gaw Tlagee and back. Donations of fireworks welcome.

SERVICES

ADULT DAY PROGRAM
250-626-5671

Programming runs through to December 23 and then closes December 24, 2019 – January 3, 2020.

HAIDA GWAII HOSPITAL AND HEALTH CENTRE
Northern Haida Gwaii Hospital and Health Centre Clinic
2520 Harrison Avenue

250-626-4700

MASSET COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
250-626-4725 or phone the 250-626-4711 nursing line

• Maureen Samuels, registered social worker, mental health and addictions.
• Dan Binnema, mental health and addictions.
• Keshia Chutter, Public Health Nurse

MASSET TRANSITION HOUSE AND HELP LINE
250-626-4666
1-877-626-4677

24/7 help line and confidential support available for women, men, and children.

Drop in service available, overnight stays, and for someone to talk to, and resource referrals.

OLD MASSETT HAIDA HEALTH CENTRE

250-626-3911

24/7 RESOURCES

KUU-US Aboriginal Crisis Line: 1-800-588-8717 toll free line
A 24-hour provincial aboriginal crisis line for adults, children & youth and Elders.

Northern BC Crisis Line: 1-888-562-1214
A safe, confidential and non-judgemental crisis line. If you are feeling overwhelmed, depressed, confused, suicidal or just need someone to listen. The Crisis Prevention, Intervention and Information Centre for Northern BC is dedicated to providing support, suicide intervention and referral information.

Youth Crisis Line: 1-250-564-8336 (text) or 1-888-564-8336
A confidential, anonymous peer support service operated by trained youth answering calls from other youth. Chat line is open 4pm- 10pm daily, available by phone or chat.

1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
If you are considering suicide or are concerned about someone who may be, this toll-free number is open 24/7.