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amssa.bsky.social
AMSSA
@amssa.bsky.social
AMSSA is a British Columbia-wide association that strengthens its member agencies and partners, who serve immigrants and build culturally inclusive communities, with the knowledge, resources and support they need to fulfill their mandates.
This very moment calls us to build genuine trust and relationships with Indigenous peoples and to take real action toward decolonizing not just history, but the systems we live and work within.
October 16, 2025 at 4:38 PM
With guidance from cultural facilitator Sussan Yáñez, we began a reflexive journey of rethinking our practices and relationships.
October 16, 2025 at 4:36 PM
We approached the Indigenous welcome differently this time!

Instead of treating it as a formality, we took this meaningful opportunity to pause, to reflect on how our sector engages with Indigenous peoples, and especially with Elders.
October 16, 2025 at 4:33 PM
The session concluded with a guided meditation led by Elder Norm, encouraging participants to find, see, and feel their connections to the land and water, and most importantly, to one another.

Learn more about AMSSA's Truth and Decolonization resources: www.amssa.org/category_res...
Indigenous Truth and Decolonization – AMSSA
www.amssa.org
October 8, 2025 at 4:46 PM
As a Black African woman, Winnie shared that learning about the realities Indigenous peoples face here in Canada also stirs something familiar within us, the echoes of our own histories and the harms of colonization that many of us still carry.
October 8, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Elder Norm Leech emphasized that we are all Indigenous to the Earth, and when we come to a new place, the best approach is to ask those who have lived there the longest. In the place we now call Canada, that means Indigenous peoples.
October 8, 2025 at 4:46 PM
The workshop was held in a circle, inviting participants to share their thoughts and experiences related to the Truth and Reconciliation process, and to explore ways to engage newcomers in conversations about decolonization, Indigenous history, and reconciliation.
October 8, 2025 at 4:46 PM
We were also joined by Anastasia Chyz-LeSage from IRCC BCY, who offered valuable reflections on the federal perspective and ongoing support for rural and remote service delivery.
September 9, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Opening remarks from Katie Crocker and Sabrina Dumitra of AMSSA reminded us of the strength that comes from collaboration, reciprocity, and community-rooted service.
September 9, 2025 at 7:36 PM