Indigenous Mindfulness and Grounding Activities
On this page we have gathered a variety of mindfulness and grounding resources from Indigenous organizations, including the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre Inc., Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc., the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, the Manitoba Indigenous Cultural Education Centre Inc., and many more.
We hope that these posters, videos, and tutorials can support you in your efforts to become grounded during times of stress or anxiety.
Positive Coping Strategies
In this poster from the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre Inc., a number of activities are listed to help lift your spirit, keep your mind curious, keep your heart at peace, and keep your health intact.
Wellness Tools
Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. has developed a website with self-care resources for MMIWG2S+ family members and survivors of gender-based violence, including a daily journal, grounding exercises, tips for grief and loss, and a self-care bingo sheet. The full list of resources is available here:
Poetry
- In 2024, the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) published a series of spoken word poetry from various Indigenous artists for Indigenous History Month. View the playlist here.
- Spiritual Readings & Poems for Families and Survivors of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
Gardening and Planting
VIDEO – Audrey Logan on Gardening and Planting
Audrey Logan is a Nēhiyāwiskwēw (Plains Cree woman) from Northern Alberta. Audrey supports Indigenous food sovereignty and security through the West Broadway community garden, where she shares her knowledge with the community.
Length: One hour and four minutes.
Crafting
VIDEO – Dené Sinclair on Crafting
Dené Sinclair is an Ojibwe-Anishinaabekwe who grew up in Selkirk (St. Peters Band) and is a member of Peguis First Nation. She has worked and traveled around the world, but finds her true happiness today is at home in her craft room, creating.
Length: One hour and 3 minutes.
Indigenous Craft Tutorials
Astronomy
VIDEO – Wilfred Buck on Star Stories
Wilfred Buck is a science specialist from the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. Wilfred travels all over the world with his portable planetarium sharing his knowledge of acakosak – the stars.
Length: One hour
Two-Eyed Seeing Approach
VIDEO – Etuaptmumk: Two-Eyed Seeing | Rebecca Thomas | TEDxNSCCWaterfront
Spoken word artist Rebecca Thomas explains the Two-Eyed Seeing approach. Coming from an Indigenous background whose family has been greatly impacted by residential schools, Ms. Thomas has come to recognize the lack of prominence given to First Nations perspectives within the history of Halifax.
Length: 14:22 minutes