b'STRATEGIESMaracle has worked with numerous researchers at the Universityup a proud Inuk, I never got to experience much of my culture. of Toronto to apply for grants to address the health inequitiesI had been searching for opportunities to do that but was amplified by the pandemic. Most recently, she was part of aunsure where to start, she says. I joined a program offered team awarded a Canada Institute for Health Research grant toat the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary to receive my prioritize the needs of diversity health research for marginalizedspirit name: Mihkinakh Acahkos Iskwew (Turtle Star Woman). groups. She also led a public webinar for the Toronto-basedI knew it was an opportunity for me to connect with and learn Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) group on why settlersfrom Indigenous people. [It was] something that was missing need to understand the Indian Act and is actively working toin my life. expand HOPES online presence and build on its partnerships with groups like the YMCA. The aim of these efforts is manifoldSharkey continues to reach out in order to learn and imple-and includes developing colonial understanding and culturalment change in this space. Waking up daily to 50 messages competency as well as building practical employment skillsand working with a Fluor team that is on 24 hours a day, she for Indigenous peoples.appreciates having Indigenous support systems and leaning on Indigenous wisdom. In the work Ive been doing with ETHNOSTRESS Elders the past few years, I continue to hear get back to Both Sharkey and Maracle are familiar with ethnostress, a termbasics and focus on the seven teachings: Humility, Bravery, coined in the 90s by Agnes Williams, a Seneca social worker,Honesty, Wisdom, Truth, Respect and Love, says Sharkey, and further elaborated on by Diane Hill. Ethnostress toucheswhich she does. on the fact that Indigenous people across Turtle Island endure more than just normal stresses in their climb up the careerMaracle, whos always been connected to her Haudenosaunee ladder. Residential school survivors, intergenerational impactsheritage, also relies on Indigenous teachings to centre herself on children who are now adults, Sixty Scoop survivors, racism and cope with work-related stress. She takes land acknowl-all this and more amplifies the struggles they face. As women,edgements and the Thanksgiving Address with her wherever those struggles are further magnified. she goes. Ive always had strong blood memoryall the way back to my childhood, she says. Indigenous teach-To cope, Sharkey, a registered Inuk from Nunatsiavut in Labradorings of kindness, sharing, caring, the 7 Grandfathers, the 7 on her mothers side and Mikmaq on her fathers side, makesGrandmothers, balance and the deep philosophies of peace a concerted effort to connect with her Indigenous heritage,and thanksgiving that Haudenosaunee hold dearthey are which she had little contact with growing up. Although I grewthe foundation of the fabric that supports me.32A CCAB PUBLICATION2020'