Vulnerable Indigenous Youth

Since we are becoming teachers, we need to be aware of how vulnerable Indigenous children are and that there are many at risk in our communities. We will see this in our classrooms and must be able to help students who are at risk, below is the link to an article that talks about how an increasing number of Alberta Indigenous youth are dying from opioids. The article talks about intergenerational trauma and the struggles youth face. As educators what can we do to support our Indigenous students who are at risk?

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/06/20/an-increasing-number-of-alberta-indigenous-youth-are-dying-from-opioids.html

Hi Payton,
This post has resonated with me because it is something I have expereinced with loved ones and fellow Indigenous peers. This is a true example of intergenerational trauma. When Indigenous youth were stolen from their homes, they were also stripped from nurturing and loving parents. How could we expect those children to live on and flawlessly parent their own children? What they knew was violence, fear and not having their basic human needs met. Indigenous youth in today's society are a product of the pain and suffering inflicted upon Indigneous peoples forced into Residential Schools.