First Nations Medical Doctor, Social Justice Advocate and Author Dr. Peter Eppinga -Tellwell’s June Author of the Month

Jun 28,2024 / By Ben St. James / No Comment

Lower Mainland Clinic Owner Champions First Nations Healthcare and Youth Resilience Through ‘Love My Life’ Initiative

We are honoured to have Dr. Eppinga join us to celebrate Indigenous History Month as the featured speaker in our Author of the Month series.

When I was in medical school, discovering mental health coping techniques (or lack of) are learned as a child, and like an arrow we can point them in the right direction. I lost a family member to suicide and it’s my belief that suicide is 100% preventable if we focus on mental wellness and building a strong and healthy foundation for our youth.
Dr. Peter Eppinga

Dr. Peter Eppinga is a distinguished figure in the medical field and the proud owner of Gwaii Medical, two thriving clinics in the Lower Mainland. His heart and heritage lie in Old Masset, Haida Gwaii. Dr. Eppinga’s journey in medicine is profoundly shaped by his experiences and dedication to confronting significant social issues. He has been a staunch advocate against racism within Canada’s healthcare system, striving to ensure equitable and timely access to medical care for all Canadians, particularly First Nations communities. His commitment to bringing first-class medical care to these communities highlights his deep-rooted passion and service oriented approach.

One of the most personal and impactful areas of Dr. Eppinga’s advocacy is suicide prevention, especially among Indigenous youth. His initial encounter with the devastating effects of suicide came when a young basketball player from his community tragically ended his life, an event that left a lasting impression on a teenage Peter. The personal nature of this issue intensified when Dr. Eppinga lost his own cousin to suicide, further fuelling his commitment to this cause.

Dr. Eppinga is dedicated to promoting suicide prevention through education and awareness. He founded the initiative “Love My Life” with the aim of equipping young people, particularly Indigenous youth, with the skills and confidence needed to overcome life’s challenges. Through his children’s book, titled I Love My Life, Dr. Eppinga seeks to inspire and empower the next generation, fostering imagination and instilling life skills that are crucial in the fight against suicide.

Celebrating Canadian Indigenous Authors

Jun 29,2021 / By Monica Martinez / No Comment

We are celebrating and recognizing the tremendous history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada. We also acknowledge the inequalities and injustices Indigenous people face every day.

Our hearts ache for the thousands of lives lost and stolen across the country.

We encourage our family, friends, staff, and fellow Canadians to educate ourselves about the land we live on, the history of the Indigenous Peoples who cared for it, and the issues facing Indigenous Peoples in our communities. Let’s become a country worth celebrating.

Here is a selection of moving stories by Indigenous indie authors.

Calling My Spirit Back

by Elaine Alec

Indigenous Peoples have always carried the knowledge necessary to heal. When our people heal, our families heal, our communities heal and our land will heal. You cannot have one without the other.

These stories are teachings, prophecy, and protocols shared throughout the years by elders, language speakers, medicine people, and helpers. They have been the foundation to individual healing and learning self-love. They teach us how to make good decisions for ourselves and for all other aspects in our lives.

When our people were young, they were sent on the land to gather as much experience and knowledge as they could, and when they returned, they would contribute what they learned.

I am Syilx and Secwepemc and although many of my teachings come from this place, they also intertwine with indigenous knowledge shared through ceremony from many other nations.

People from all backgrounds have embraced concepts from other parts of the world that promote self-love, healing, and well-being through practices of discipline and meditation.

Very little has been shared about indigenous systems and how it promotes self-love and approach to healing.

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Indigenous History Month: Honouring First Nations, Inuit and Métis authors

Jun 29,2020 / By Monica Martinez / No Comment

June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada. It’s a time to reflect upon and learn the history, contributions, heritage, and diversity of Indigenous peoples in Canada and their role in shaping the country. First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples have their distinct histories, and within each group, their unique stories.

Tellwell is celebrating Indigenous History Month by showcasing our talented and courageous Indigenous authors whose stories strengthen our social fabric, enrich our culture and understanding of history. Thank you for telling your stories and sharing it with the world.

Karen Chaboyer

They Called Me 33: Reclaiming Ingo-Waabigwan

Karen Chaboyer is an Ojibwa mother and grandmother from Rainy River First Nations, a community in northwestern Ontario. She is proudly admired by her children, who have witnessed her transformation as she worked through layers of shame and learned to embrace her identity. A second-generation survivor of residential school, Karen now shares her experiences with audiences throughout the Toronto area, where she now resides. Karen’s goal is to educate people on the extent to which the tragedies of the residential school system have impacted individuals, families, communities, and entire cultures to this day.

Grieving is the way to work through our losses and past traumas; compassion for ourselves and each other is how we move forward. Only then can we be victorious.

Watch Karen’s story on the CBC here. Learn more about They Called Me 33: Reclaiming Ingo-Waabigwan.

Tag Archives: tellwell indigenous books