Eunice Joe, BA

Eunice Joe, BA, whose Nuu-chah-nulth name is Tla-ah-shuks, is Nuu-chah-nulth from the Huu-ay-aht First Nation on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, BC Canada.  Her family roots come from the Huu-ay-aht, Tseshaht and Squamish Nations.  She completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in First Nations Studies at Malaspina University-College in 2005.  The curriculum was comprised of First Nations history, oral history, material culture, traditional ecological knowledge, governance, family structures ranging from global to local perspectives.  Elders and traditional practices were integrated into the core curriculum.  In addition to these courses, Ms. Joe also completed courses in Early Childhood Education & Care, Child & Youth Care, and Women’s Studies.  These courses along with teachings received from her parents and elders have given Ms. Joe a strong foundation to look at child and adolescent mental health from a holistic perspective.  Ms. Joe believes that traditional cultural beliefs, practices and teachings are key to creating a sense of identity, and having that sense of identity is crucial to child & adolescent mental health. It is Ms. Joe’s desire to share those core teachings with INTERCAHMS, Center for School Mental Health board and others interested in children’s mental health.