In the News

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 sigature

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.

Notice to Public: Reopening

July 16, 2020

Aanii/Greetings,

At Noojmowin Teg Health Centre, our collective health and wellbeing is important. In partnership with Mnaamadzawin Health Services, we are slowly reintroducing in-person appointments for our clients at our main location in Aundeck Omni Kaning; this will be done on a case by base assessment. While we are still encouraging virtual appointments, if an in-person appointment is needed, expect the following:

Covid-19 screening questions the day of your appointment;
Wait in your vehicle/outside the doors of Noojmowin Teg until a staff member signals you to come in;
Required to wear a face-covering for your in-person appointment unless you meet a strict medical exemption;

Small group activities are also being assessed and planned by Noojmowin Teg staff. Each event is carefully assessed and planned to ensure that participants and staff are maintaining and adhering to good public practices such as frequent hand washing, cleaning of high touch surfaces, physical distancing, and wearing a face-covering when needed.

As we follow guidelines and direction of Public Health Sudbury & Districts, please know that this plan may change depending on Covid-19 cases on Manitoulin Island and as we begin to understand more about this virus, its transmission and best practices to ensure everyone’s safety and wellbeing. If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us at (705) 368-2182 or by email at info@noojmowin-teg.ca. ;

Clients and Community

March 20, 2020

Dear Clients and Community,

Noojmowin Teg Health Centre provides culturally relevant services and is committed to support and promote the overall wholistic health and well-being of Anishinabek individuals, families and communities within the District of Manitoulin and area. We continue to take ongoing preparations and affirmative action in response to COVID-19 and want to thank our clients and partners for your patience as we make changes to the delivery of services. The following services are available and provided by Noojmowin Teg Health Centre to the First Nation and Indigenous community.

Primary and clinical care essential services are available in person as deemed necessary, or by phone and video conferencing. This includes access to nurse practitioners, physicians, RPNS, and diabetes footcare.

Aging at Home Transportation Service will continue to operate as an essential service to clients aged 55+ years and over for medical appointments and local grocery shopping trips only. The below healthcare services are available by phone and/or video conferencing:

• Dietitians, diabetes team, health care navigation and geriatric social worker services

• Mental health and addictions counselling services for the District of Manitoulin and Espanola and the surrounding area

• Traditional healer services and cultural support services for the District of Manitoulin and Espanola and the surrounding area

Noojmowin Teg Health Centre would like to remind everyone of the importance of social distancing. Please stay at home, limit the of use public transport, avoid visitors to your home, only run errands which are deemed necessary such as grocery and medical.

If you are a community member or Anishinabek elder looking for support at this time and would like a social call/check-in, please email info@noojmowin-teg.ca or call (705) 368-2182.

If you are having a crisis or feeling overwhelmed, please call the 24-hour Crisis Line (705) 674-4760.

If you have coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, please contact your primary health care provider, do not go into emergency. A COVID-19 self-assessment is available at: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/#q0. If you are having difficulty breathing or experiencing other severe symptoms, call 911 immediately. Advise them of your symptoms and travel history.

We are committed to keeping you informed with the latest updates from trusted, health sources regarding the virus, offering helpful advice on protecting yourself and your loved ones, and ways to assist you in making things much easier during this unusually confusing time.

Visit our website for an update list of resources and information related to COVID-19: www.noojmowin-teg.ca/events/latest-news.

Noojmowin Teg Health Centre recognizes the work of all our health care providers and front-line workers at this very stressful time. Each day, we light a sacred fire and send our prayers for our medical community, providers and community members.

In solidarity and with respect,

Pam Williamson
Executive Director
Noojmowin Teg Health Centre

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