Connecting with culture on the Six Nations Reserve

Guest: Joel Jamieson from Community Living Six Nations

Joel Jamieson shares his journey of growing up with his sister with Down syndrome, and learning to show her how to use the washer and dryer using colourful stickers, when he was 10 years old. Joel’s love for his sister comes through in his commitment to supporting people with disabilities in his career which has brought him to supervising community inclusion at Community Living on the Six Nations reserve. Joel teaches us some Oneida greetings, and shares examples of how connecting with culture has been so important for folks on the reserve. Joel loves golfing, so Sue closes with a guided meditation using the imagery of the greens one would see in the nature of a golf course.

About Joel

Joel Jamieson is a Haudenosaunee, or Iroquois native from Oneida of the Thames. He has worked 35 years with community living with 3 different agencies. Joel’s sister Gwen has Down syndrome, and calls Joel every single night at 7pm, just like clockwork. Joel’s life as a brother to Gwen has fueled his passion in developmental services, and has led him to a life with this work, including his current position as community inclusion supervisor at CLSN. 

Community Living Six Nations: http://communitylivingsixnations.ca/