TERRITORY

Victoria Youth Mental Health Coalition acknowledges that our organization operates mainly upon the traditional land and territories of the Lək̓ʷəŋən and WSÁNEĆ peoples.  At every meeting, we acknowledge these nations and vow to be cognizant of the subconscious ways white supremacy leeches into mental health activism, which is a vehicle for justice that must be informed by principles of antiracism. Recognizing that mental health and substance use issues disproportionately affect Indigenous folks and their communities, VYMHC takes every step possible towards decolonizing the abhorrently discriminatory mental health field. 

 

We are aware that the need for our organization has largely been caused by the colonial portion of this land's history and admire many community-focused aspects of Indigenous healing strategies. We will never teach or implement such cultural practices without proper consultation, compensation, and recognition.