Building Collective Care & Safety: Relatives Helping Relatives in Thompson, MB
We know that well being is inseparable from the health of our communities and our connection to land. Yet, for too long, many Indigenous people have faced harm, neglect, and systemic racism within healthcare systems that should promote well being.
In the spirit of relatives helping relatives, local community members, in partnership with the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights (JHC), are hosting two pivotal events in Thompson, Manitoba. These gatherings are designed to centre Indigenous lived experiences and move toward a future of collective safety and structural change, and are a commitment to truth-telling, spiritual grounding, and reclaiming the right to safe, dignified care.
Interested community members, advocates, and allies are invited to witness, listen, and take action.
Event 1: Indigenous Rights & Healthcare - Community Forum, Ceremony & Issue Mapping
This forum is the foundation. It is a space to honour the stories of those who have navigated the healthcare system and to document the realities of Indigenous-specific racism. We gather not just to witness these harms, but to map a path toward accountability and justice through community-led action.
When: Sunday, May 31, 2026 | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Multipurpose Room, Thompson Regional Community Centre (TRCC)
What to Expect: We will begin with ceremony and prayers to ground our work. A simple lunch will be shared at noon, followed by an afternoon of issue mapping and action planning. We will conclude our day with a Community Feast at 5:00 pm to celebrate our collective strength.
Learn more here.
Event 2: Indigenous Rights, Healthcare Advocacy Training & Coalition Building
Following the community forum, we are seeking dedicated relatives and allies who feel called to step into a sustained role of advocacy. This multi-day gathering is about building a new healthcare coalition, one that will actively work to dismantle systemic barriers and ensure Indigenous people are treated with the dignity they carry from birth.
When: May 31 – June 3, 2026
Where: Multipurpose Room, Thompson Regional Community Centre (TRCC)
The Commitment: While Day 1 is open to all for the community feast and forum, Days 2 through 4 are focused training sessions. We are looking for individuals who want to remain connected beyond this week to shape advocacy strategies, document systemic issues, and engage in collective efforts for long-term change.
Registration: To ensure we build a strong and representative coalition, we ask interested participants to register by May 15, 2026, with a brief (200 word) statement on why they wish to contribute to this work.
Register for the advocacy training and coalition building sessions here.
Why We Gather
Seeing real change in healthcare systems means moving beyond "service delivery" and returning to a model of collective safety. When we bring our voices together, we confront the structures that harm. Whether you are a caregiver, a community leader, or an individual who has felt the sting of discrimination, your voice is what we need to move forward.
Questions? Email Parveen at parveen@jhcentre.org
This work is supported by the JHC’s Stride Advocacy and the McConnell Foundation, but its power comes from you.