The goal of the AHWS is to improve the health of Aboriginal individuals, families, communities and nations and reduce family violence through equitable access to health care, Aboriginal health care facility, improved standards of care, the provision of culturally appropriate health services, and promotion of a healthy environment. A traditional and culturally appropriate approach to healing and wellness for all Aboriginal Peoples of Ontario will ensure Aboriginal people have better access to the type of health care and services most other Ontarians take for granted.

The two main components of the Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy (AHWS) are healing" and "wellness". These evolved from the need to address the issues of family violence in Aboriginal communities and to create a provincial, Aboriginal-specific health policy.

An important feature of the Strategy is that services and programs are Aboriginal designed, delivered and controlled, with government primarily playing an administrative role. Empowerment is a key aspect in promoting wellness in Aboriginal communities striving for self-reliance by using traditional and cultural teachings and values that kept them strong in the past.

The AHWS is directed by a Joint Management Committee composed of representatives from Aboriginal organizations and four provincial ministries:

• 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)
  
• Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat (ONAS)
  
• Ontario Women's Directorate (OWD)
  

Key priorities include:

• Prenatal Infant Mortality
  
• Disabilities
  
• Diabetes
  
• Stress and Suicide Prevention
  
• Alcohol Related Issues
  
• Nutrition
  
• Fitness
  

We currently offer the AHWS program at:

• Ottawa
  
• North Bay
  
• Sault Ste. Marie
  
• Midland
  
• Timmins
  
• Sudbury
  
• Hamilton
  
• Brampton
  
• Windsor
  
• Thunder Bay
  
• Owen Sound
  
• Fort Frances