October 27th, 2021 – Sober(er) for October: Starting Meaningful Conversations about Substance Use.

Corrina Chase, MA.,CAM.

Tawnshi, my name is Corrina Chase, and I am from the Metis Nation. My Indigenous ancestry is from the Algonquin people, and I have aligned my life with the Indigenous teachings from the plains. I was taught these sacred teachings from an Elder in my early recovery coming off of illicit substances. The connection I felt to the culture was different than how I felt to my Scottish culture. It was the deep connection to nature and the inherent beliefs that our ancestors walk with us as we live out our lives to help us. These teachings supported me as I walked through the many challenges returned to school. Years later, I am thriving and work to help others who experience the same judgements, and know Stigma has been the overarching theme for drug users and, this is contributing to people using the toxic drug supply in our ongoing opioid crisis. By decolonizing substance use we can save lives!

Dr. Kelsey Louie

Dr. Kelsey Louie is Coast Salish from the Tla’amin First Nation and serves as Senior Medical Officer within the First Nations Health Authority’s (FNHA) Office of the Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Louie completed UBC’s Indigenous Family Practice residency program and now works as a primary care provider in Victoria BC, providing both hospital based care and virtual health, in addition to physician leadership. He continues to promote and support FNHA’s health and wellness vision by integrating cultural safety and humility into both his clinical and non-clinical work.

Paula Tait, BA

Paula is Wet’suwet’en and Gitxsan, from Witset, B.C.  Paula is Tsayu/Beaver Clan and her father-clan is, Liksilyu/Small Frog Clan.  Paula works in the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Nations.  Paula’s excited to promote Indigenous wellness and culture, and is committed to help reduce stigma and normalize Indigenous Harm Reduction, that’s helping save lives and improve Indigenous Peoples health.  This work personally affects Paula, within her family and her community.

Paula received Bachelor of Arts Degree, majoring in Canadian Studies, from the University of British Columbia, in addition with 1-year Unclassified Political Science.  Recently, Paula completed professional developments: Indigenous Business Development Services Ways of Knowing Facilitation & Leadership Training, PHSA Educator Pathway Program Level 2, 3, Indigenous Cultural Safety; Indigenous Tools for Living.  Throughout her career, Paula worked with First Nations Organizations within the areas of Treaty, Education, Employment, Early Childhood Development, HIV/AIDS and Anuk Nu’At’en Ba’glgh’ iyi z’ilhdic ~ We are Talking About Our Ways.  Paula is a proud mother of her two children, her daughter Taleetha and her son, Rahim.