Kurt Belcher, Lori Bradford, Lalita Bharadwaj, Myron Neapetung, Justin Burns (2022). First Nations Led Mental Health Recovery in the Face of Environmental Jeopardy. Proceedings of the GWF Annual Open Science Meeting, May 16-18, 2022.

Due to factors like geographical placement, lack of proper funding, marginalization, and poor environmental management from external organizations or individuals, First Nations communities in the Canadian prairies are more vulnerable to physical, mental, and social health effects caused by climate change and extreme weather events. Yellow Quill First Nation and James Smith Cree Nation, two reserve communities located in the eastern part of Saskatchewan, had interest in examining mental health effects of ongoing watershed management problems. These reserves have experience with recurring flooding happening from 2012-2016 most severely for James Smith, and 2005-2007 for Yellow Quill with the worst cases requiring evacuation. Mental Health recovery after flooding is often overlooked by funding sources and recovery efforts, warranting a scoping review of the possible mental health effects of disasters. The results of this scoping review in comparison with the real-life experiences of community members from Yellow Quill and James Smith shared through interviews and focus groups give a better understanding of support needs in terms of mental health after a flood and the steps that need to be taken for the best possible outcomes for the First Nations people who experience these disasters so often.

First Author: Kurt Belcher, University of Saskatchewan
Additional Authors: Lori Bradford, University of Saskatchewan; Lalita Bharadwaj, University of Saskatchewan; Myron Neapetung, Yellow Quill First Nation; Justin Burns, James Smith Cree Nation