By Desneige Taylor, Community Wellness Coordinator, Métis Nation of Ontario
Sudbury MNO Healing and Wellness Staff (left to right) Community Wellness Worker
Desneige Taylor, Aboriginal Healthy Babies Healthy Children Coordinator Dale Xilon
and Long Term Care Coordinator Nancy Martel
Staff members of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Healing and Wellness Branch were busy bees before the holidays. During the month of November a pink and purple cancer awareness party was held for women. Dale Xilon, The Aboriginal Healthy Babies Healthy Children (AHBHC) Coordinator, conducted car seat inspections for parents prior to the holidays to ensure everyone a safe and secure Christmas vacation. She also partnered with Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre for a day of diabetes awareness, providing a Métis perspective; attended one of the local high schools to complete a Métis presentation to a cooking class, and shared a traditional meal with the class.
In December, the staff conducted a “Connecting the Generations” workshop. This involved traditional meals, crafts, recipes, songs, and stories. We thank everyone who participated in this cultural exchange. In January we are going to a local elementary school to share some Métis culture with the younger children and will partner with the local university to do a bit of snowshoeing. We look forward to spending more time with our community and sharing the Métis culture with everyone. I hope you have all had safe and pleasant holidays that will continue into the New Year. Thank you for reading.