Ideas What a cultural genocide took from Indigenous people in Canada
Aug 15, 2025
Tanya Talaga, a renowned journalist and 2018 Massey Lecturer, delves into the legacy of cultural genocide and its ongoing impact on Indigenous communities in Canada. She addresses the alarming youth mental health crisis, shedding light on the urgent need for better support and systemic change. Talaga emphasizes the importance of reclaiming Indigenous identity and the relationship with the land while discussing the significance of educational reform for reconciliation. Her insights provoke a deeper understanding of the intertwined histories and the resilience of Indigenous peoples.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Genocide Shapes Present Suicide Crisis
- Tanya Talaga links youth suicide in Indigenous communities to a history of cultural genocide and systemic failures.
- She argues current crises stem from forced separation from land, family removal, and racist policy frameworks.
Denied Emergency Help In Wapakika
- Wapakika chief requested $376,706 for four emergency mental-health workers in 2016 and Health Canada denied it citing "an awkward time in the budget cycle."
- Two days after the denial, two girls in the community died by suicide, illustrating bureaucratic harm.
Use Wraparound Family Treatment
- Treat suicidal youth with wraparound care that includes family and community, not just the individual child.
- Avoid removing youth from community for treatment unless the whole family's needs are addressed.
