The Power of Unity, The Dignity of Difference
Health and Social Meno Biimadeswin
Matawa Health and Social Meno Biimadeswin oversees the management, administration and coordination of regionally funded programs and projects. It also provides advocacy and technical support. Its programs and projects offer educational awareness, promotion and prevention in the areas of wellness and healthy living. For more information on services provided, go to the drop-down menus in ‘Initiatives.’
It provides client advocacy and referral services and assists Matawa First Nations in the areas of training and capacity building by conducting one-on-one staff training, regional and/or community workshops and training. It works in partnership with several groups, organizations, agencies and institutions affiliated with First Nations in health and social programming. It also works in partnership and collaboration with the Matawa Health Co-operative. See also Matawa Regional Crisis Intervention Program and WiiChiiHehWayWin (Thunder Bay Outreach) in Emergency Response.
WiiChiiHehWayWin Outreach Program
With funding from the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board and Indigenous Services Canada, this service will be running up to March 31, 2022 (extended from November 30, 2021). It will assist and support Thunder Bay vulnerable individuals and families with their immediate needs. It works closely with other organizations/agencies within the city of Thunder Bay. Download and print the poster here.
Intiatives
Matawa Staff Contact: Breanne Anderson
Funded by Canada’s Anti-Racism Action Program, this program runs for 2 years up to March 31, 2023. The project entitled, ‘Matawa First Nation Anti-Indigenous Racism Plan Using an Intersectional Focus on Indigenous and Francophonie Communities in Northern Ontario’ will result in the following outcomes:
- Data and evidence on the experience of Indigenous racism in Northern Ontario in the Matawa region
- Action plans with guiding principles to address anti-Indigenous racism that will result in new awareness, knowledge, attitude and behaviours
Upcoming Event(s):
- Anti-Indigenous Racism Symposium | March 25, 2022 | Geraldton Curling Club | More info: here
Working with the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority, the Approaches to Community Wellbeing (ACW) program provides support in the development of a Sioux Lookout First Nations Public Health program. It includes facilitation and coordination of information and training sessions relating to the components of ACW.
Matawa Staff Contact: Nicole Jacob
The Crisis Intervention program works with 8 First Nations in Matawa to provide advisory, advocacy and technical support when experiencing a crisis. It works in collaboration with several agencies such as: the Sioux Lookout First Nation Health Authority’s Nodin Mental Health Services, Nishnawbe-Aski Nation, and other Matawa programs and departments. Some of the services provided include:
- Assistance in developing crisis response plans
- Coordination of needs related to crisis
- Assistance to impacted families and individuals who experience crisis
- Provision of capacity building and training
Matawa Staff Contact: Ila Beaver
This program supports all 9 First Nations in Matawa to provide crisis supports when communities experience social crisis by coordinating a team of mental wellness specialists/personnel who are contracted to travel and attend to the community in crisis for a period up to 3 weeks, depending on the situation. The program addresses the need to provide increased access to mental wellness services providing:
- Limited training
- Traditional healing and wellness supports
- Assistance in case management through ‘BiimadeswigKamik Life Lodge (A Place of Good Life)’ case management framework
On an ongoing basis, we are looking for short-term on-call contracts for the following positions. For more info. email: ibeaver@matawa.on.ca
Matawa Staff Contact: Elizabeth Wapoose (on leave). In the interim, contact Francine Pellerin at 1-807-620-4470 or Leanne Whitehead at 1-807-631-1161.
The Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program is a national program which is designed to support First Nations people in reaching an overall health status that is comparable with Canadians. The program designed to help individuals maintain their health, prevent disease, assist in detecting and managing illnesses, injuries, and disabilities. It may cover the costs of some, or all of the following:
- Dental
- Medical Supplies & Equipment
- Medical Transportation
- Eye & Vision Care
- Short-term Crisis Intervention Mental Health Counselling
- Health Benefits outside of Canada
The NIHB program may provide medically necessary goods and services when they are not covered by provincial or other third-party health plans. Third party health plans are ones usually provided by private insurance companies through a paid premium by the purchasing individual. The benefits and services of the NIHB Program are often coordinated with other insured health care programs offered in Ontario.
The Matawa Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Client Navigator assists the 9 Matawa First Nations and its’ members who are clients of NIHB services to provide support, advocacy and coordination of care and services. The program works in collaboration with First Nations health staff, other health care providers, organizations, and institutions to facilitate improved care. The program also assists members to access Jordan’s Principle resources.
Matawa Staff Contact: Hilary Fox
Funded with the assistance of the Ontario Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and by the Ontario Ministry of Attorney General, the social emergency management program assists the 9 Matawa First Nations in:
- Co-developing new capacity-building programs for responding to social emergencies in collaboration with internal and external partners
- Providing training and support the development of community plans
- Providing assistance in social emergencies (such as: mental heath, addictions, suicides, crime prevention, etc.) and physical emergencies (such as: community evacuation, forest fires, power outages, water system difficulties, etc.)
The Transitional Housing & Support program services 5 remote fly-in First Nations (Eabametoong, Marten Falls, Neskantaga, Nibinamik and Webequie First Nations) with full-time workers and two road-accessible First Nations (Aroland and Constance Lake First Nation) with half-time workers to support women and their children who are in abusive relationships.
Funded by the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, this program provides culturally relevant supports for victims of crime (male & female over the age of 16) within the Matawa communities. Victim Services can also provide:
- Community engagement activities
- Organize, coordinate and facilitate community information sessions to include community-based and external service providers
- Build partnerships with other service providers and agencies
- Integrated, cohesive and safe service to victims of: domestic violence, sexual assault, serious physical assault, homicide/attempted murder, break & enter, criminal harassment, Elder abuse, human trafficking, other crime-related occurrences
The victim quick response program (VQRP) provides assistance for victims of crime to access services and compensation for being victimized. Through this program, VQRP applications are processed when victim(s) request assistance. Training is provided and/or can be arranged for Matawa community-based workers in the victim services sector.
Matawa Staff Contact: Leesa Davey
Funded by the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board and Indigenous Services Canada, this service will be running up to March 31, 2022 (extended from November 30, 2021). It will assist and support Thunder Bay vulnerable individuals and families with their immediate needs. It works closely with other organizations/agencies within the city of Thunder Bay. Cell Phones to reach the program include: 1-807-631-3900 & 1-807-252-0199.