Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2015
This session on tobacco use will be hosted by Elder Gerry Oleman and Pamela Robertson (RN). Gerry Oleman will share his perspective on addictions and smoking through his experience in working as an Elder and an advisor in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Pamela has run a 26 week-long smoking cessation course in the community through Vancouver Coastal Health which has inspired this presentation. Gerry will return to roots of of tobacco and explore the origins and cultural uses of tobacco while offering tips on how to reduce modern tobacco misuse and misappropriation. Pamela will offer an overview of modern health products used for quitting smoking as well as tips and tricks from the programs she offers.
Topics that will be covered:
- Where and when tobacco was traditionally used for Indigenous peoples
- When and why tobacco changed uses
- Holistic uses and mixtures of traditional use
- Modern use and the health effects of added chemicals
- Myths and truths about quitting smoking
- A look at programs and products available for smoking cessation
- The connection between stress and tobacco misuse
- Exploring ‘disbalances’ from an Indigenous holistic perspective
- Examining strength-based tools and Indigenous approaches to balance
All are welcome to attend and participate in this FREE live videoconference and computer webinar session.
About the Presenters
Pamela Robertson (Boston Bar First Nation) attended nursing school at UBC and now works in Vancouver B.C. at insite as an addictions nurse. Pamela also works in her own territory as a community nurse and building a smoking cessation program in her First Nations community.
Saahiilthit (Gerry) Oleman has worked with the Indian Residential School Survivors Society since 1998. He is from Seaton Lake and of the Stl’atl’imx Nation. He has been involved as a change agent for First Nations since 1976. His experiences include counseling for community addictions programs, smoking cessation providing leadership politically and administratively for his community and Nation, and working as an independent consultant. Click here to view Gerry’s website.
PowerPoint Presentation
Click here to download a copy of the PowerPoint that was shown at today’s session.
RESOURCES AND LINKS
Growing the medicines: Tobacco, Sage, Sweetgrass, and Cedar (sorry this is not available anymore)
Traditional uses of tobacco and respectful ways of using (and other medicines too)
Traditional Tobacco Vs. Commercial Tobacco
Gary’s Mix as an alternatives for offerings & prayers are (in any combination): kinikinik, red willow bark shavings, mullen, white sage, cedar, and other preferences
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