The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) recently joined Indigenous partners and Ontario to mark the 30th Anniversary of the Indigenous Healing and Wellness Strategy (IHWS). This incredible initiative, launched in 1994, has supported Indigenous-led health and wellness across the province and has been instrumental in the MNO’s efforts to bring culturally relevant wellness programming to Métis communities.
MNO President Margaret Froh attended the event, joined by other MNO representatives, including Senator Gwen Lindsay, MNO citizen and jigger Megan Southwell, and award-winning fiddler Alicia Blore. The event not only honored the achievements of IHWS but also remembered those who played critical roles in supporting Indigenous health and wellness over the years, including the late Helen Bradley, an esteemed MNO Senator and councillor.
MNO President Margaret Froh attended the event alongside several MNO representatives, including Senator Gwen Lindsay. Fiddler Alicia Blore, jigger Megan Southwell, and André Nault performed at the celebration.
The Anniversary event highlighted IHWS’s achievements and also paid tribute to past supporters who have been instrumental in advancing Indigenous health and wellness, including the late Helen Bradley, a past PCMNO member and long-time MNO Senator on the Georgian Bay Métis Council. Bradley was honoured alongside other advocates for their lasting contributions to Indigenous wellness in Ontario.
The IHWS has a strong history of combining traditional Indigenous and mainstream health practices, making health and wellness services accessible and culturally appropriate for Indigenous people across Ontario. Many of the MNO’s early accomplishments in health programming were achieved through partnerships with the IHWS. The strategy supports various current MNO programs, including community wellness workers, crisis intervention, and culturally-based health education.
The IHWS is a collaborative effort funded by the Ministries of Children, Community and Social Services, Health, and Ontario Indigenous Affairs. It supports Indigenous communities with a range of services, including mental health and addiction support, as well as prenatal and postnatal care for Indigenous mothers and children. The IHWS also provides safe spaces, such as healing lodges and shelters for women and children at risk, and supports community workers who offer counseling, health education, and emotional support.
As a longstanding partner, the MNO remains committed to strengthening the continuum of care available to Métis families, honouring the contributions of those like Helen Bradley, and carrying forward the values embedded in the IHWS. The IHWS 30th anniversary event highlighted the strength of collaboration within Ontario’s Indigenous communities, celebrating their commitment to fostering healing, growth, and resilience.
For more information about the IHWS and its impact, visit the IHWS website and learn more about the strategy here.