Walking Beside

When I first started working in First Nations communities in 2014, I did not understand the power dynamics I was stepping into. I did not understand the legacy attached to people like me, a non-Indigenous healthcare provider coming into community to provide health services.

I did not realize how the language I used, the “supporting patients” language, actually created a kind of power-over relationship.

I thought I was helping. I did not see how easily “helping” can turn into deciding what is best for someone.

It took a long time to notice this. And it is something I am still learning. I do not have it figured out, I am simply more aware of it now.

Last week, I had the opportunity to sit in virtual circle with Mentor, Marnie Scow (Kwagu’ł, ‘Namgis, and Haíɫzaqv descent on her father's side, with mixed ancestry of Scottish, Swiss and recently connected familial ties to Soda Creek and Squamish) during a Community Call. The question we explored was centered around harm reduction:

When client needs or goals conflict with system or organizational expectations, how do you stay grounded in your values?

Her response resonated deeply as she shared teachings that put words to what many of us feel but have a hard time articulating.

Marnie has been contributing her knowledge and expertise to harm reduction, policy and community-based research since about 2010, with over a decade of that working in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Her community expertise includes meaningful peer engagement, housing first, Indigenizing harm reduction, drug policy, low barrier access to culture, overdose prevention in acute care, and reintegration post incarceration.

She talked about refusing to refer to people as “clients” or “patients.” She calls them aunties, uncles, cousins, relatives. Because that is who they are.

And when she shows up in ways that feel safe for them, she is usually oftentimes in conflict of policy. Policies want compliance. Relationships want humanity.

She reminded us how language reveals the truth about where we are standing:

• engagement and relationship building instead of “not ready for treatment”

• safer use planning instead of “refusing sobriety goals”

• stabilizing supports instead of “non-compliant”

And she said something that stayed with me:

“I am not willing to compromise who I am for a job title.”

Her words resonated with me. It reminded me that the work is not about outcomes, or metrics, or systems. It is about people.

So I find myself asking the same question she asks: Who am I doing this for?

And if the answer is anything other than the person in front of me, then I need to step back and return to humility.

I am still learning. Still unlearning. Still figuring out what it means to walk beside, not above.

And I am grateful for the relatives who teach us, with or without titles.

🧡 Kim