b'INDSPIRE AWARD LAUREATEUpholding Indigenous valuesa doctor. People ask me aboutcommunities throughout the while practising Western medicinethings like reconciling with theirpandemic, Adams has committed continues to require balance,family members or dealing withhis energy to helping his Adams admits. While his medicalthe trauma theyve experienced.Indigenous brothers and sisters training instilled in him theRegular doctors dont usually getheal from the discovery of mass importance of being clinical andthose Indigenous-specific experi- childrens graves at numerous professional, his Indigenous teach- ences, so being an IndigenousCanadian residential school sites.ings have compelled Adams to be aphysician helping other IndigenousThe rediscovery of those graves source of empathy and compassionpeople is a unique experience that Ihas shaken the country and, for for his community.feel lucky to have, explains Adams. many of us, brought together When I see Indigenous people,It has been a difficult time fora number of ideas and experi-I listen to all kinds of stories andCanada and its Indigenousences, Adams reflects. Part scenarios that I dont face aspeoples. In addition to protectingof the work of looking at those graves is to not only identify those children and bring them home, but to never let that kind jgferris1959@gmail.com of challenge to our well-being as communities and families happen again.It has been a dark chapter in Canadas reconciliation journey. Still, Adams says working through these tragedies has afforded him some hope: Believe it or not, I feel more optimistic. The work of bringing those children home is very daunting to think about, Ed-Digenous Traditions creates Indigenous Learning Kits forbut Im more hopeful than ever schools, communities, workshops, conferences andbecause so much of our reality is post-secondary institutions. The kits actively demonstrate andnow in the Canadian conscious-support the educational concepts being introduced. ness, and Canada is facing its reck-EDUCATING THE FUTURE WHILE PRESERVING TRADITIONS oning, he says. That reckoning wont be perfect by any means, but at least were a huge part of the conversation. I feel like we are less invisible in our own lands and PARTNER WITH US territories than we were in 2014.FOR YOUR FAST DRAWING SUPPORTTRACK TO SUCCESS!Adams has not walked his path alone. Throughout the years, he has built a network of mentors and teachers in both acting and healthcare. They include Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers from which he continues Our winning products and services include: to seek advice. Im lucky toMagazinesProfilesCustom ContentMarketing meet other healers in my work,DirectoriesBuyers Guides Show GuidesE-NewslettersSponsorshipincluding many wonderful Elders Events Video Sales with great experiences and abili-Contact Robert Thompson 1.647.494.4229ties to teach, he reflects. Ive www.mediaedge.ca always benefited from them; they were the original teachers before Western schools.48indspiration2022'