This presentation will explore the importance of anonymous, community-led digital mental health tools as a strategy for equitable access and digital inclusion in Indigenous communities. Indigenous peoples, particularly in rural or remote areas, often face layered challenges when seeking support: stigma, fear of judgment, lack of confidentiality, and historical mistrust of healthcare systems. These barriers are intensified when dealing with sensitive issues like addiction, grief, depression, loneliness, relationship struggles, trauma, or suicidal thoughts—especially in tight-knit communities where privacy is hard to protect. We will examine the need for culturally safe, anonymous digital support that respects Indigenous identity, language, and lived experience. These tools serve as entry points into care for individuals who may not be ready—or able—to access traditional mental health services. A key focus will be on how digital inclusion is not just about access to technology, but about ensuring the tools are designed with and for Indigenous communities, reflecting their worldviews, traditions, and priorities. These platforms must align with community needs, uphold data sovereignty, and build digital skills and trust. As a compelling example, we will introduce the Talking Stick program—a peer support platform developed in partnership with Indigenous leaders and communities in Canada. Launched in 2022, Talking Stick provides anonymous, text-based emotional support through Indigenous peer workers trained to listen and respond with empathy and cultural understanding. The program is: • Available in over 10 Indigenous languages • Accessible via mobile devices and low-bandwidth settings • Culturally rooted in its name, interface, and approach • Designed to complement—not replace—community and cultural supports To date, the program has reached more than 45,000 people, created 200+ Indigenous jobs, and earned recognition as one of Canada’s first verified mental health apps through the Mental Health Commission of Canada and ORCHA, meeting the highest standards in Cultural Safety, Clinical Safety, Data Privacy, Accessibility, and Data Sovereignty. This presentation will: • Highlight the barriers and needs around digital mental health in Indigenous populations • Explore the role of anonymous, peer-led support in reducing stigma and increasing reach • Emphasize the importance of community ownership, co-design, and cultural safety • Share outcomes and insights from the Talking Stick initiative as a case study in impact and scalability We will conclude by identifying core principles that global digital mental health programs can adopt to better serve Indigenous and marginalized communities: trust-building, inclusion, local leadership, and cultural respect.