Aboriginal Healing & Wellness Strategy (AHWS)

The goal of the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Strategy (AHWS) is to improve the health of Aboriginal individuals, families, communities and nations. This will be realized by reduced family violence through equitable access to health care, Aboriginal specific health care facilities, improved standards of care, the provision of culturally appropriate health services, and the promotion of a healthy environment. A traditional and culturally appropriate approach to healing and wellness for all Aboriginal peoples of Ontario will ensure access for all to the type of health care and services most other Ontarians take for granted.

The two main components of the Strategy are “healing" and "wellness". These evolved from the need to address the issues of family violence in Aboriginal communities and to create a province wide, Aboriginal-specific health policy.

The Strategy is unique because the government’s role is administrative and its services and programs are Aboriginal designed, delivered and controlled. Empowerment is critical to promoting wellness in Aboriginal communities striving for self-reliance and is achieved by using the traditional and cultural teachings and values that kept individuals and communities strong in the past.

The AHWS is directed by a Joint Management Committee with representation from the following:

  • Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians (AIAI)
  • Grand Council Treaty #3 (GCT#3)
  • Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO)
  • Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (NAN)
  • Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres (OFIFC)
  • Ontario Métis Aboriginal Association (OMAA)
  • Ontario Native Women's Association (ONWA)
  • Six Nations of the Grand River
  • Temagami First Nation
  • Union of Ontario Indians (UOI)
  • Chiefs of Ontario (COO) [ex-officio]
  • Ministry of Community, Family and Children Services (MCFCS)
  • Ministry of Health (MOH)
  • Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs (MAA)
  • Ontario Women's Directorate (OWD)


Key priorities include:

  • Pre-natal Infant Mortality
  • Disabilities
  • Diabetes
  • Stress and Suicide Prevention
  • Alcohol Related Issues
  • Nutrition
  • Fitness

COMMUNITY WELLNESS WORKER PROGRAM

The Community Wellness Worker (CWW) Program is funded by the province through the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Strategy (AHWS). The Strategy supports holistic approaches to the promotion of health and the prevention of family violence. Community Wellness Workers in twelve communities put the needs of the local Métis community first through the implementation of the AHWS locally to reduce family violence and promote healthy lifestyles through culture-based programming and healing.

Community Wellness Workers assist clients in identify concerns and assist them in developing action plans to address the concerns. This is achived by sharing appropriate information with health and social agencies and through community events like crisis intervention workshops, sharing circles and community outreach that educates and promotes cultural awareness and illness prevention. Whenever possible Métis specific cultural approaches are integrated into the programs delivered.

Community Wellness Workers are located in  12 MNO Community Councils:

  • Ottawa
  • Georgian Bay
  • North Bay
  • Sudbury
  • Timmins
  • Sault Ste Marie
  • Fort Frances
  • Thunder Bay
  • Windsor
  • Hamilton
  • Brampton/Mississauga
  • Owen Sound


The MNO also provides enhanced Community Wellness Worker services at six site through a partnership with the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centers (OFIFC).  The sites are:

  • Bancroft
  • Renfrew
  • Port McNicoll
  • Kenora
  • Welland
  • Sault Ste Marie


In addition to the services provided by the Community Wellness Workers, the Community AHWS Coordinators provide client-based services like:

  • Assisting clients to access services
  • Providing advocacy to support the securing of medical assistance services
  • Providing referrals to emergency shelters or transitional housing
  • Providing referrals to anger-management or treatment programs.
  • Providing referrals to the MNO Mental Health Program.
  • Providing advocacy for those dealing with the court system.


The Coordinators also provide participant-based services related to reducing family violence through fitness and recreation, walking groups, nutrition or foot-care clinics/workshops as well as Healthy Eating/Community Gardens. Holistic approaches to good health also include traditional ceremonies that promote stress-relief and gatherings like the Harvest Meal that promote traditional family activities and promotes healthy eating.

The Coordinators also promote information sharing between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal organizations like mental health centres, shelters, and treatment centres to increase client access to local services.

HEALTH POLICY ANALYST PROGRAM

The Health Policy Analyst Program facilitates and coordinates activities that assist the MNO in designing holistic provincial, regional and community level programs by, among other things, identifying existing and emerging healing and wellness concerns, and conducting policy discussions which help inform decisions regarding program improvements.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT WORKER

The Community Development Support Worker program provides community-based services like workshops, presentations and team building activities focused on developing and enhancing skills and capacity at the community level. The training ranges from how to work with computer programs and spreadsheets to how to update policy and procedures. The importance of effective communication internally and externally is underscored with training in how to prepare effective presentations which incorporate Métis cultural teachings. Providing training at the community level will help ensure program goals are realized.