Binesiwag Center for Wellness
1455 Idylwild Drive p9a3m3 Fort Frances, ON, Canada

Chi Miigwech for the Cheers this week! It was an incredible few days giving back to our community

Some BCW were asked to participate in this video. Laughter is Resilience- laughter is resistance- laughter is joy! Come on accept the challenge!

Our first day of deliveries is complete! I wonder who we’ll see on Sunday?! Miigwech to J’s Truffles & Confections for the delicious sweet treats!!! Happy Valentine’s Folx!

I’m so grateful for my work fam. Truly.

We are so lucky here at BCW to have such an amazing team of helpers. If you haven’t yet checked out our website, make sure you do! Get to know these beautiful folx!

The Serpent & The Thunderbird An Anishinaabe Story Thunderbirds used to make their nests in a place called Madeleine Island in Wisconsin, USA. They had nests up... on the mound there and would sit on their eggs until their young were hatched. Many years ago, Anishinaabeg visited the mound and were surprised to find several young Thunderbirds. It was always a custom of the people to offer tobacco for friendship and safety. Later on in another visit by the Anishinaabeg, a pond was discovered on the top of the hill. The pond was dangerous. The Serpent who lives under the mound had caused this to be so that he could sun himself when the sky was clear. On a sunny clear day he was sunning, probably asleep, when a lone Thunderbird discovered him and decided to catch him alive and carry him off. So the Thunderbird came down from the sky and caught the Serpent. The Thunderbird would carry him high. The Serpent, struggling, forced the Thunderbird back down in the pond. At that time a hunter who was passing happened to look to the top of the hill and to his surprise saw the two struggling, and went up to witness the great fight. He was noticed by them, and the Thunderbird spoke and said, "My friend, help me, and shoot the Serpent with your arrow, and I will make you a great man!" The Serpent also spoke and said, "Help me, and shoot the Thunderbird, and I'll promise you my friendship to the end of all time!" The hunter did not know which one to help, so he shut his eyes and shot an arrow toward the fighters and shot the Thunderbird. That shot weakened the Thunderbird and as he fell down he was taken under the hill as a prisoner. The Thunderbird is still there, and the hill is called Chequah Bikwaki. Whenever there is going to be a thunderstorm lightning is seen flashing from the Thunder Mountain. Painting by: Jim Oskineegish Artist Link: https://jimi-oskineegish.pixels.com

BCW graduation photo session for our newly certified First Nations Health Manager. BCW Program coordinator Bobbi H taking photos #photoshootBosslady.

Www.Binesiwagwellness.com.

Today we celebrate the hard work, perseverance, smarts, and dedication of our Vice CEO Mandi Olson. This certification is University level assignments, upper level management learning, and requires a commitment to self directed courses. We are so very proud of you Mandi! You Rock Woman!

Aunty Bear is already FAMOUS! The debut already landed on the FRONT PAGE of the Daily Bulletin !! #makingheadlines #everychildmatters #bcw

Chi Miigwech Izzys Takeout!!!

Happy Friday.... and thank you for being a friend! -Love the BCW family

BCW wants to thank very much, all of those who came by today to acknowledge Day of Orange. Our hearts are filled with joy from your presence. Thank you so very much to all of our volunteers...we couldn’t have done it without YOU! And a special thank you to our On Point! Youth photography group for humbling us with the BEAUTIFUL photo display of Resilience. May we always hold with us that Every Child Matters. #everychildmatters... #BCW See more

Trying to get a good pic of us.

Couldn’t say it better. #everychildmatters #bcw

This is awesome thanks friend Alyssa Strachan for sending me Info! I know a lot of good parents have been asking for this! I’m going to check it out

Conversations with Mandi Olson and Lori at Wellness land-based camp.

#LGBTQHistoryMonth "In the old days the people that are now called "winkte" (from the words winyan kte- meaning to become a woman) were once called "wapetokeca...." This word has several meanings but it generally means one who is marked, but in a good way. It is one who has signs, who is connected to miracles and wonders. The Wapetokeca were looked upon as people with special powers. They were considered to be persons who brought good luck. Many of the traditional Lakota leaders received their names from the Wapetokeca. It is said that Crazy Horse and Black Elk got their names from them. In fact, it was said that Crazy Horse went into battle with a Wapetokeca riding at his side. Often they were called upon to give names to Lakota babies. The Wapetokeca were men who lived in a woman's body or women who lived in a man's body. They were highly respected. They were some of the best quillworkers and beadworkers in the camps. The modern world has changed that view amongst many contemporary Lakota and the beliefs about Winkte or Wapetokeca. Modern society has made the LGBTQ community out to be bad and the stigma has passed to the younger generation. I believe this came from Indians who served in the military and learned that to be Winkte was to be ostracized, ridiculed and eventually discharged from the military with a dishonorable or a medical discharge. They brought this brainwashing back to the reservations." ~Hmuya Mani (Richard Two Dogs) See more

Aunty Bear loves meeting all of you IN PERSON today! You are all so beautiful! #everychildmatters #BCW

Aunty Bear appreciates absolutely everyone who came out to acknowledge Day of Orange with BCW!

Auntie Lori, Auntie Mandi, and Auntie Bridgit have been on a land based wellness adventure. We’ve been hanging out with some amazing Anishinaabe and loving the doings of wellness our style. Rendering bear fat, making tobacco, harvesting and cleaning cedar, finding that one that calls us to be our talking stick then dressing that one oh so beautiful, sitting in circle, sharing our knowledge bundles, making feasting baskets, making cloth offering, full moon ceremony, drumming and singing, and most importantly connecting. So much more still to come. BCW is dancing their style! Hoka.

And now the moment you’ve all been waiting for... The WINNER of our ROCK THE RESILIENCE contest, and the WINNER of a BRAND NEW NINTENDO SWITCH LITE IS....!!!!

Okay we have drawn for the DOOR PRIZE!! Congratulations! You can pick up your MYSTERY sur-PRIZE at BCW!!! #everychildmatters #BCW ... We will call you to arrange pick up time!

Aunty Bear is meeting so many new friends and family today! #everychildmatters #bcw

Another FABULOUS photo with AUNTY BEAR at Rainy Lake Square!!! #everychildmatters #BCW

Aunty Bear loves taking pictures with YOU ! Stop on by until 4pm to get your photo taken! #everychildmatters #bcw

Another Socially Distant photo with AUNTY BEAR!! #everychildmatters #bcw

Strength. #everychildmatters #BCW

Our On Point! Youth photography group has their pictures on display NOW at Rainy Lake Square! The theme of these photos is Resilience! #everychildmatters #BCW

Social distancing practices are in effect! Aunty Bear loves a photo op!

We are HERE!!! Stop on by for a cupcake and a mask! #everychildmatters #bcw

BCW will be at Rainy Lake Square from 2pm- 4pm today in recognition of Day of Orange! Now is your chance to meet AUNTY BEAR, LIVE! In Person! #everychildmatters #BCW

Come get a cupcake and a mask at Rainy Lake Square in recognition of Day of Orange! #everychildmatters #bcw

From 2pm - 4pm TODAY, Binesiwag Center for Wellness will be around RAINY LAKE SQUARE in recognition of Day of Orange. Drop by to meet the one and only, AUNTY BEAR! We also have cupcakes and masks that we will be handing out, a door prize will be drawn, and the winner of the ROCK THE RESILIENCE contest will be CHOSEN!... All this and more! We hope to see you all out there, fam! #dayoforange #everychildmatters

Caption this photo: ...

A double rainbow over stormy sky. A gorgeous picture from tonight’s Final On Point! Youth photography group.

Our last EPIC photo of On Point! Youth Photography Group! We had SUCH a blast with this group through rain, through sun. We took a LOT of amazing pictures, had great conversations about online safety, self-worth, and of course our favourite.... food ! BCW is so proud of every single participant and can’t wait to see you all soon! #youslay #allday

SHARE-JOIN US!!! As a Nation let’s stand together. Tomorrow, September 30 at 12pm CST.... Join us live. Bring your voice & your strength!!