
Indigenous Peoples
and Housing: Restoration and Respect
Canada’s history and culture of systemic colonialism and violence left deep and lasting scars on the original residents of this land. As a result, Indigenous Peoples experience complex and higher than average rates of mental and physical health challenges worsened by substandard housing and homelessness.
Join us as Professor Suzanne L Stewart and a panel of experts discuss the ties between housing, mental health and healing, how community experience informs solutions, and recent federal pledges to prioritize safe housing as part of reconciliation efforts towards Indigenous Peoples.
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2023
5:00-7:30 PM EST
Lecture: 5:00-6:30 PM EST
Reception With Our Panelists Follows: 6:30-7:30 PM EST
In-Person: Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, The Allan Waters Family Auditorium, St. Michael's Hospital,
209 Victoria Street
Virtual Live-Stream: stmichaelsodettelecture.ca

Lynn Lavallée, PhD
Professor, Toronto Metropolitan University
Born in Sudbury, Lynn Lavallée, PhD is a proud citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario. At Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) she has focused on advancing Indigenous knowledge in the academy. She is the strategic lead of Indigenous resurgence at the Faculty of Community Services.

Renee Linklater, PhD
Senior Director, Shkaabe Makwa-Centre for First Nations, Inuit and Métis Wellness, CAMH
Renee Linklater, PhD is a member of Rainy River First Nations in Northwestern Ontario. She has over 25 years of experience working with Indigenous healing agencies and First Nation communities. She is an author and international speaker on trauma and healing.

Roberta Pike, MSW
Director, Indigenous Wellness, Reconciliation and Partnerships, Unity Health Toronto
Roberta Pike, MSW is Anishinabekwe from Henvey Inlet First Nation. Prior to her appointment at Unity Health, she was the Executive Director of the Toronto Birth Centre, an Indigenous - and midwife-led independent healthcare facility, and also served on the Unity Health’s First Nations, Inuit and Métis Community Advisory Panel. She has had a long and successful career in the field of Indigenous health and prior to the shift back into local community, she managed portfolios in Indigenous healing and wellness, violence against women and dedicated supportive housing for the Ontario Public Service.

Wesley Rheaume
Wesley Rheaume, formally Wesley Landon, was adopted at the age of five. He believes it was because the adoptive father could not walk and needed someone to do manual labour. He experienced abuse in the household and ran away. With support from others while he was growing up, he learned to stay out of trouble, get a job and take care of himself.
PANELISTS
Suzanne Stewart, PhD
Professor, University of Toronto
Suzanne L Stewart, PhD, C.Psych. is the TC Energy Chair in Indigenous Health & Wellbeing and Director of the Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health at the University of Toronto. She is a member of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and a registered psychologist. She has over 20 years of experience with community-driven research and clinical practice aimed at breaking barriers in mental health and healing for Indigenous youth and families.

SPEAKER
The Annual Louis L. Odette Family Lecture, sponsored by a family of generous philanthropists, was launched in 2015 to raise awareness of the global homelessness crisis, uncover innovative solutions, and bring engaged Canadians together to influence and inspire change.
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Emily Mathieu | Journalist, Writer and Researcher