This past Monday, we celebrated Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a time to celebrate and honor Indigenous peoples across the globe and recognize diverse cultures, history, and ongoing contributions of Indigenous folks. It is our responsibility to understand the history of this land, the Indigenous people who stewarded it, and the impacts of colonization, so that we may work towards a more equitable future for all. Change the Outcome values its partnerships with Indigenous communities. We are committed to continuing these relationships in a spirit of respect, collaboration, and learning. Many social systems neglect or underserve Indigenous populations, so it is incredibly important for us to create dialogue with community members directly so that we can learn from them and work with them to battle the opioid epidemic more effectively together. We recognize the lasting impacts of colonization, cultural erasure, and systemic inequities, including those that contribute to health and substance use disorder disparities, and we believe that true equity begins with partnership, not assumption. Indigenous voices must be centered in conversations surrounding prevention, healing, and wellness. As we continue on in our work, we strive to uplift Indigenous perspectives and build relationships rooted in respect, in order to meaningfully work towards preventing substance misuse and overdose death. As we celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day, it’s important to remember how we arrived at this present moment in history, and ask ourselves what we can do to make it more equitable and just for all.
Honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day
