By Dale Xilon, Aboriginal Healthy Babies Healthy Children Coordinator
Scenes from the Family Fun Day held earlier this month by the MNO Health Branch in Sudbury
On February 12, 2011, the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Health and Wellness Branch in Sudbury hosted a Family Fun Day. The day included three mini-workshops and presentations on: Winter Skin Care by Dr. Lyne Giroux, Dermatologist; Obtaining and Maintaining Health Family Weight by Lorna Fryer, Area Manager at Weight Watchers Sudbury; and the link between childhood and responsible gambling by the MNO’s own Loma Rowlinson, Provincial Aboriginal Responsible Gambling Coordinator.
Loma’s presentation was heart felt, sharing a personal story from her experiences as a parent. Loma was supported by interactive activities facilitated by Brent Xilon. These activities demonstrated gaming can be approached in a fun, healthy and safe way and were featured in a Responsible gaming area where fun was had by everyone. In one activity, children cheered on their favorite race horse and in another they bet suckers as part of “Let’s Make a Deal Round.” This area turned out to be by far the loudest and most popular area during the Family Fun Day.
Also with the children in mind, Rainbow Bear from Rainbow Cinema stopped in for a visit, handing out free movie vouchers and taking pictures with both the children and the young at heart.
Nancy Martel, MNO Long Term Care Coordinator recognized and publicly thanked the volunteers who made the event possible.