Decolonizing Substance Use & Addiction | Len Pierre | TEDxSFU

A talk that explores the origins of addiction and substance use through an indigenous lens. To shed some light on today's overdose crisis in British Columbia, Len takes us through the missing context of indigenous peoples and discusses ongoing challenges that limit progress. Understanding how all of these pieces fit together is a critical step to decolonizing and creating
lasting solutions to this community wide challenge. Len Pierre is Coast Salish from Katzie First Nation. His background is primarily in the area of Indigenous Education but also includes Child Care Counselling, Television and Radio Broadcast, and more recently Adult Education. Len is the Indigenous Cultural Safety Coordinator at Fraser Health Authority. His work includes overseeing the regional development of policies, resources, education and training modules to support health care providers in delivering safe and equitable care. Len aims to bring awareness on the impacts of colonialism on communities and also explore the tremendous worth in Indigenous knowledge and values for society. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@sally7395]

Len I see you! What a powerful talk! Thank you!

[@ChzNoctem]

Well said Len. Thank you for your work and your words.

[@stephenarmiger8343]

I am reading Reservation Blues. The stories brought me to wonder about mindfulness. That led me to Michael Yellowbird. That led me to decolonization. And this talk is taking me back to alcohol. I now live in Montana, being from Maryland. I frequently heard about drunken indians. Sometimes as a slur. Sometimes out of compassion. Stories about coworkers who had indian friends lost to alcoholism. I got to know some folks from the tribes as a wildland firefighter. We mostly talked about work. I volunteered as an EMT and went on fire as a medic. My tribal friends included tribal medics and others I got to know at base camp, on the fireline or in staging. I am learning from folks like you. Thanks for what you are doing.

[@clairebillie6209]

I love that book so much, it changed my life forever

[@lucirice]

I think the preferred term is Indigenous. Indian was the term incorrectly applied to Indigenous peoples because Columbus thought he was in India - therefore, Indian. Indian is now considered a slur towards people who are Indigenous in North America.

[@julieparker1954]

That was really an honest and beautiful response. I wish more people looked through your lens Stephen:)

[@jiaogulan]

Beautiful words. I will share this with others. ❤

[@esmediamond]

So powerful!

[@debcam9461]

Excellent lecture

[@armchairdetective4877]

thank you

[@skeletonbite]

Great work

[@BhAbi3EllDhe3]

thank you so much

[@michellezieba4209]

Wow, incredible insights. Kinanaskomitin

[@livea3596]

Some people gravitate to Gabor Mate for insights and perspectives on people who use substances, and how to help, but by far, you are my go-to mentor on this subject. Thank you.

[@name-ey5it]

Here in Ontario not just out west

[@stephenarmiger8343]

British Columbia population 5.1 million. Population growth in 2019 roughly 80,000. World Population 7.85 billion. World Population growth in 2021 9,245,000.

[@ghadeerhmaid263]

I am Palestinian. I stand with you and support you. Free Palestine.

[@SriRam-sj9eu]

Good ways learn to English language

[@lemonlimelukey]

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