Success stories celebrated at Manitoulin addictions recovery breakfast

by Manitoulin Expositor, October 5, 2022

AUNDECK OMNI KANING—Manitoulin service providers hosted a recovery celebration breakfast on September 21 to raise awareness about addiction and recovery issues in the community. The breakfast is a chance to celebrate people’s recovery and for others to hear some success stories, said Rob Wabegijig, event co-organizer and addictions support worker with Noojmowin-Teg Health Centre.
It was the 10th annual breakfast and followed a two-year break imposed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s for people who have addictions and are in recovery, to listen to other people talk about their recovery,” said Joan Hoekstra, an addictions services case worker with M’Chigeeng First Nation. “It’s to get together and share that they’re not alone. It’s a celebration that they’ve stayed on a pathway that’s healthier for them.”

“We want to try and decrease stigma around recovery and addictions and to show people that there is support from the whole community and from all these different agencies,” said Allison Dodge, a mental health and addiction worker with Noojmowin Teg Health Services.

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Indian Residential School at T’Kemlups te Secwepemc

Noojmowin Teg Health Centre (NTHC) mourns with the Secwepemc Nation with the announcement of having located the unmarked graves of 215 children of the residential school on their territory. It is heartbreaking to receive this information and we collectively grieve for all children that did not return home from residential schools. This tragic discovery reaffirms the voices and grievances of our Elders and survivors about the realities of residential schools.

The NTHC Board of Directors call upon on all levels of governments to join us in implementation of the 94 recommendations of Truth and Reconciliation (TRC). This report represents the summary findings of interviews with survivors of residential schools and asks for all persons to be part of the path forward towards reconciliation. The healing journey starts by acknowledging the real history of all residential schools and impacts it has had upon past and present generations of Indigenous peoples.

While we still wait for implementation of Truth and Reconciliation report, our allies can help by:

• Learning about the Residential Schools in Canada;
• Read the TRC report;
• Advocate for movement to your local elected officials;
• Stand up to stereotypes, systemic racism and discrimination;
• Be a voice of change with your family and friends;
• Support Indigenous-led organizations

The Indigenous peoples today are survivors of attempted genocide; we are still healing from the trauma of this deliberate measures to eradicate us. Indigenous peoples are survivors, we are resilient and our strength comes from our families, communities and culture. While the discovery of 215 children is a painful reality for many Indigenous peoples, we are strong nations across Turtle Island and the Creator will continue to guide our healing journeys.

Grieve with us, be angry with us, but please join us in being allies in our healing journeys forward,

In solidarity,

Chief Linda Debassige,
NTHC Board Chair

Sister Health Organizations administer over 500 Pfizer-BioTech vaccines across the district of Mnidoo Mnising.

March 12, 2021

It has been a busy week for the staff of Mnaamodzawin Health Services and Noojmowin Teg Health Centre, as the two sister organizations hosted several COVID-19 vaccination clinics across the district of Mnidoo Mnising. Working with each of the below community health centers, 503 Pfizer-BioTech vaccines were administered to Indigenous (First Nation, Metis and Inuit) populations as well as to frontline healthcare workers in our service area.

Clinics took place March 8th – 11th in Whitefish River First Nation, Aundeck Omni Kaning, Sheguiandah First Nation and Sheshegwaning First Nation. “It was a team approach with excellent partnership with Mnaamodzawain Health Services” said Noojmowin Teg Primary Care Manager, Kim Warren. “Tremendous efforts were made by the nurses, practitioners, staff volunteers, and all community partners who were on-site each day to ensure a smooth process”.

Coordination with local Paramedics is required on-site in case of emergencies as well as communication with Public Health Sudbury & Districts is required to successfully be able to receive and administer the vaccines. “Public Health transports the vaccines every morning from Sudbury to each of our clinics here on the island,” says Warren.

In addition, Anishinabek cultural support services were offered by Noojmowin Teg Traditional Healer Support Thecla Neganegijig. “At each location, members of Mnaamodzawin Health Services staff smudged the interior of the buildings, which was so important and helped to set us up for a good day with positive energy”, said the Primary Care Manager.

For some recipients entering the clinics, emotions were high as many felt gratitude to be provided the opportunity to receive the vaccine.

Healthcare providers were in high spirits throughout the week, “There was laughter and even some dancing that took place amongst the healthcare providers, everyone was excited about what we were doing”, Warren commented.

On Thursday, during the clinic in Sheshegwaning the group was met with a wind storm and power outage that required quick action to ensure the vaccines did not go to waste. “That was a challenge, but the nurses worked quickly and effectively to ensure the vaccines were safely mixed and into the arms of recipients. It was a monumental day, as we acknowledged the pandemic in Canada was announced 1 year ago”, said Kim Warren.

The next steps include additional clinics for these two organizations over the coming weeks including recipients receiving the 2nd dose of the Pfizer BioTech vaccine, the dates which has yet to be confirmed. "We are extremely grateful to have been approached by Mnaamodzawin Health Services and asked to be a partner with them in the vaccine roll-out, chi-miigwetch to the organization for including us in this opportunity", concludes Warren.

Anishinaabek Dementia Care Website Launch

July 29, 2020

NEW WEBSITE DEDICATED TO BUILDING SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY OWNED AND DIRECTED STRATEGIES THAT SUPPORT HEALTHY AGING AND DEMENTIA CARE IN INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES

Noojmowin Teg Health Centre, in collaboration with Health Sciences North Research Institute (HSNRI), and N’Mninoeyaa Aboriginal Health Access Centre are pleased to launch a new website dedicated to building sustainable community-owned and directed strategies that support healthy aging and dementia care in Indigenous communities, with a focus on cultural safety and trauma-informed care.

This project will support Indigenous communities in their understanding of dementia and the risk for dementia due to multiple chronic conditions (more than 2 chronic conditions). Improved understanding of the impact of dementia on persons, families, and communities will lead to better support from health care providers and for persons and families living with dementia. The intent is increased opportunity in Indigenous communities to work with the Aging at Home programs and other service providers to discover and create supports, build collaborative relationships, and learn from each other.

This project is funded by a Knowledge Mobilization Grant from the Province of Ontario. The funding allows for Indigenous ways of knowing to be used to help the community imagine and create evidence-informed, relevant, and meaningful health care services for persons living with or at risk of developing dementia. This grant puts resources, money, people, and processes into the communities.

You can view the website at http://anishinaabekdementiacare.ca/

For more information, or to arrange a media interview, contact Michael-Ann MacLean, Research Projects Coordinator at Noojmowin Teg Health Centre…(705) 368-1211 ext.290 or at michaelann.maclean@noojmowin-teg.ca.