2023 Métis Nation Mental Health and Cannabis Workshop

This workshop was held on May 16 - 17, 2023 and brought together Métis citizens living and working in urban, rural, remote, and small communities including Métis Elders, veterans, Métis Leaders, health care system navigators, front-line public health workers, caregivers, parents, 2SLGBTQQIA+ People, women, youth, and Métis Governments staff. The event also included collaboration with Pan-Canadian Health Organizations representatives and Federal Government officials.

The Workshop objectives were as follows.

Explore the Métis perspective about mental health and cannabis based on the Métis holistic approach rooted in culture and history to promote health and wellness, and to reduce the burden of illness.
Understand Métis-specific health models and how cannabis and mental health and wellness are perceived in Métis communities.
Identify potential research and knowledge exchange regarding how cannabis intersects and impacts mental health and wellness in the Métis context: past, present, and future of Métis research priorities and projects.
Identify challenges, gaps, and opportunities to work in partnership with the Métis Nation.
Explore culturally informed strategies and actions that can help to promote Métis health and wellness, participatory research, and increase Métis evidence about mental health and cannabis to reduce health disparity in Canada.
Develop a Métis Nation position paper about the Cannabis Act health impact and Métis citizens’ perceptions. It will be submitted to the Expert panel in June.
Contribute to the legislative review of the Cannabis Act on health.

Click here to view the workshop program.

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

9:00 am – 9:45 am	Traditional Opening and Welcome • Tai Amy Grauman, Workshop Facilitator/Chair • Métis Elder Kathy Boston • Cassidy Caron, President, Métis National Council
9:45 am – 10:30 am	Session 1: The Cannabis Act 1.1 Presentation: Cannabis Act: Legislative Review and Métis Nation Engagement • Jessica Gallienne, Manager, Indigenous Affairs, Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch, Health Canada Session 1.1 Jessica Gallienne.pdf (347 KB)
10:30 am – 11:00 am	Health Break
11:00 am – 12:00 pm	Conversation 1: Group Breakouts and Reporting Back Questions: • How are Métis approaching cannabis regulation in their communities? Are there different approaches for Métis in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario? • What has been the Métis experience with the provincial and federal governments’ cannabis frameworks in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario? • Are there barriers to participation in the federally and provincially regulated cannabis frameworks for Métis entrepreneurs? • Are more economic development supports needed to help Métis cannabis and hemp entrepreneurs?
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm	Lunch
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm	Session 2: The State of Metis Knowledge on Cannabis and Mental Health 2.1 Presentation: Cannabis Use among Métis in Canada • Sandra Gosling, Policy and Research Analyst, Mental Health Commission of Canada • Robert Gabrys, Senior Research and Policy Analyst, Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction Session 2.1 Sandra Gosling and Robert Gabrys.pdf (1.18 MB) 2.2 Presentation: The Convergence of Cannabis Use Disorder and Mental Health • Tera Beaulieu, Director, Weaving Wellness Centre Session 2.2 Tera Beaulieu.pdf (3.28 MB)
2:00 pm – 2:15 pm	Conversation 2: Group Breakouts and Reporting Back Questions: • Tell us about cannabis use among Métis and its impact on public health – including specifically for youth, women, and pregnant and parenting Métis. • How do you see cannabis use interacting with mental wellness amongst Métis? • Are there distinct Métis cannabis use trends in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario?
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm	Wrap Up and Closing Remarks • Tai Amy Grauman, Workshop Facilitator/Chair • Alexander Caudarella, President and CEO, Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addictions

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

8:30 am – 9:30 am	Second Day Welcome • Tai Amy Grauman, Workshop Facilitator/Chair • Métis Elder Kathy Boston • Michel Rodrigue, President and CEO, Mental Health Commission of Canada
9:30 am – 10:30 am	Session 3: Perceptions of Cannabis Use in Métis Youth and Communities 3.1 Presentation: Métis Youth Perceptions of Cannabis Use in Their Communities • Jordyn Playne, President, Métis Nation of Ontario Youth Council Session 3.1 Jordyn Playne.pdf (617 KB) 3.2 Presentation: Métis Perspectives on Cannabis Use: A Community-Based Research Study • Sophia Huang, Mental Health Program Coordinator, Métis Nation British Columbia • Terri Gillis, Métis Nation British Columbia Session 3.2 Sophia Huang and Terri Gillis.pdf (4.83 MB)
10:30 am – 11:00 am	Health Break
11:00 am – 12:00 pm	Conversation 3: Group Breakouts and Reporting Back Questions: • What public health education supports or initiatives concerning cannabis use are you aware of? • Does available programming provide culturally safe support? (in particular, for Métis youth, women, and pregnant and parenting Métis) • What are the gaps in currently available education? • Are the public education needs of Métis in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario regarding cannabis different? • What are the needs of Métis (and in particular, the needs of youth, adults, Elders, and pregnant and parenting Métis) related to harm reduction?
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm	Lunch
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm	Session 4: Addictions and Medical Cannabis 4.1 Presentation: Community-Based Intensive Addictions Program • Joanne Meyer, Chief Operating Officer, Métis Nation of Ontario • Jenna Campbell, Supervisor – Youth Mental Health & Addictions, Community Wellbeing Branch, Métis Nation of Ontario Session 4.1 Joanne Meyer and Jenna Campbell.pdf (1.67 MB) 4.2 Presentation (virtual): The Use of Cannabis for Medical Purposes • Dr. James MacKillop Session 4.2 James MacKillop.pdf (5.15 MB)
2:00 pm – 2:15 pm	Health Break
2:15 pm – 3:30 pm	Conversation 4: Group Breakouts and Reporting Back Questions: • Where is more research needed to understand Métis cannabis use trends? • What questions do you have about cannabis use among Métis that future research should aim to answer? In particular, what questions do you have about cannabis for medical purposes among Métis, especially youth and pregnant and parenting Métis? • Where is more research in harm reduction needed?
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm	Wrap Up and Closing Remarks • Tai Amy Grauman, Workshop Facilitator/Chair • Métis Elder Kathy Boston • Métis Nation Health Committee

Thank you for participating in our workshop on Métis Nation Mental Health and Cannabis.