Blue Sky Community Healing Centre

The Nokiiwin Tribal Council will be hosting an Access to Justice: Virtual Training Week this March! They are offering information and introductory sessions on ...Public Legal Education programs, Court Support programs, Restorative Justice programs, and Victim Support Services programs. Representing Kinna-aweya Legal Clinic, @esma.haider will be presenting on the prevalence of sexual harassment in the workplace and the effectiveness of sexual harassment training. Tools and resources will be provided to cultivate safety and support for impacted workers. For more information on the events, please visit: https://nokiiwin.online/events/. See more

Attention students, employees, alumni and members of the public in northwestern Ontario! You are all invited to join Keynote Speaker Farrah Khan, Consent Cultur...e Educator and Activist, for a FREE online session called Pleasure Principles: Cultivating Consent, Accountability and Empathy on March 25th, from 12:30-1:30pm ET. Register here: http://bit.ly/30RI2FQ Session details: Talking about consent and pleasure can be awkward. Too often there is an expectation that you should automatically know how to communicate boundaries, be accountable to your peers and handle rejection. Prioritizing fun and pleasure over shame and fear, Farrah will share principles to help you successfully navigate through these experiences and understand how sex and relationships are a collaboration not a conquest. She will also share ways for you to intervene in situations that could lead to sexual violence and support others when they disclose their experience. Register here: http://bit.ly/30RI2FQ

Have you registered yet?

Are you an Indigenous youth (ages 16-29) who has a skill, passion, topic, or activity you would like to share with other Indigenous youth? Standing Bear is loo...king for Indigenous Youth Facilitators to help us lead some virtual programming! Contact Tia Kennedy at Yotuni for more information at [email protected]

Are you an Indigenous youth who has a skill, passion, topic, or activity you would like to share with other Indigenous youth? Standing Bear is looking for Indi...genous Youth Facilitators to help us lead some virtual programming! Contact Tia Kennedy at Yotuni for more information at [email protected] See more

ATTENTION FAMILIES!! We want to hear your feedback!! What would be the best time for your family to attend the Mindful Monday program? Comment below, private me...ssage us or email at [email protected] We’re willing to extend our service hours to offer you this valuable program that aims to bring your family calm and inner balance. Please take the time to answer so that we can serve you better! We look forward to hearing from you

Know a #FNDIFFERENCEMAKER for families in your community? We are looking to celebrate local businesses and/or initiatives in our First Nation communities an...d/or by our First Nation peoples. We want to feature them on our social media pages, website, and radio show. It can be a business, a service or a positive message that builds up our communities and strengthens children, families and First Nations. It can be a child, youth, adult, or Elder. Heroes come in all forms. Who is yours? If you have people or communities in mind, send your ideas to [email protected] or message our social media pages.

Calling all First Nations, Inuit, and Métis post-secondary students: do you need money for school? Wondering about how you’re going to cover living expenses whi...le you study? We can help! Apply to our Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries, Scholarships, and Awards (BBF) program before February 1, 2021! Click on the link below to apply. Important: if you’ve already applied for BBF during our Aug 1 or Nov 1, 2020 deadline, you DON’T need to apply again we’re already looking at your application! :) This is for new applicants only. https://indspire.ca/progra/students/bursaries-scholarships/ #IndigenousEducation #BBF #Scholarships #Bursary #IndigenousStudents

Mooka’am Kwe - She Rises A Northern Ontario Indigenous Women’s BIZCamp January 2021 One of the hardest things for a business is scaling up to achieve solid go...als for getting larger contracts outside your present market and clientele. In early 2021, PARO will partner with the Canadian Executive Services Organization (CESO)(https://www.ceso-saco.com/) , Blue Sky Community Healing Centre and the GoForth Institute to host a 15-week BIZCamp Pilot to support Indigenous women in scaling their business! This program will touch on all the important things you need to know to scale your business into new markets and take your business to the next level. Through working with PARO’s top-notch business counsellors and inspiring facilitators from across Canada, Mooka’am Kwe will support you in positioning your enterprise to access opportunities in resource sectors in Northern Ontario, including mining, forestry, construction and powerline industries. Over the last decade, the Indigenous-owned economy in Northern Ontario has strengthened considerably, and the opportunities for women-owned businesses should grow with it! Beginning on January 28th 2021 for 15 weeks, Mooka’am Kwe will arm Indigenous women in business with the tools they need to effectively participate in high-growth industries with huge leveraging potential. By participating in Mooka’am Kwe BIZCamp you Gain a one-year access code to GoForth Institute Become a Better Entrepreneur Gain access to Funding opportunities Build an arsenal of skills to prepare for procuring large contracts Get your business ready for growth and scaling Develop and implement a strategic scale-up marketing plan Understand how large-scale companies procure good and services from businesses, Learn how to respond to Requests for Proposals (RFP) Learn decolonizing business practices Ensure your business is well-positioned to jump on opportunities when they arise Learn about opportunities that exist for your business Access individual and group Mentoring through a weekly Mentoring Hub Mooka’am Kwe: She Rises BizCamp is supported by the Government of Canada through FedNor and the Women’s Entrepreneurship Strategy Program. To register, call Melissa at 807-625-0328 or email [email protected]

Should Thunder Bay eliminate fares on city buses? https://www.tbnewswatch.com//should-thunder-bay-eliminate- If you care about inclusion, social equity and carbon reduction vote YES or read more about Fare-Free Transit and vote YES! Send your questions to [email protected]

Superior Shores Gaming Association has not only been an ongoing supporter of Blue Sky, but numerous other charitable organizations in our community. Thank you Superior Shores Gaming Association and their team for supporting cultural programs and services. We look forward to the day when we will once again hear the word "BINGO!!!" being called.

Happy Indigenous Veterans Day!

Hope to see you there ~ Livestream on Saturday December 19

Hey everyone! It's time for the huge announcement I started a group called "Walk-A-Thon for The Underground Gym"! Please join/invite as many people as possib...le as well as share the posts, its all public! I will post a video tonight with some details. For more information feel free to reach out to me! See more

Calling all emerging Indigenous artists! DWF is looking for five artists to participate in an exciting project launching in early 2021. Learn more and submit your application at http://ow.ly/9uZ950Csdmp #indigenousartists #callforsubmissions #callforartists

Would you like to have your poem(s) published in ONWA’s Strong Hands Stop Violence 2020 #PoetryBook? ONWA hosts an annual #PoetryNight to raise awareness of Vio...lence Against Women in support of the United Nations’ #orangetheworld campaign. #Poems submitted this year, will be published in a Poetry Book released at next year’s Poetry Night. Help us continue to raise awareness of Violence Against Women by submitting your work(s). Submission Deadline: December 31, 2020 For more information or to submit, please visit: www.onwa.ca/post/5th-annual-poetry-night

I'm working on the schedule for Anishnaababes - a comedic podcast dedicated to Indigenous Women's worldview on all aspects of our lives. It's cultural, funny, ...educational, supportive and empowering. For our women by our women with our men interviewed quarterly, so only 4 allowed per year hahah jk If you have any ideas on topics you'd like us to discuss, please don't hesitate to post, inbox me or the page. Emails can be sent to [email protected] Miigwech <3 and please feel free to share

Are you an Indigenous off-reserve renter household? If so, you may qualify for the Ontario Aboriginal Housing Strategy's OPHI Homeownership Program! They are s...till taking applications for 2021! This could help you buy a home!! We have had clients participate in this program previously. Get in touch and we would be happy to assist you! See more

Today on Zee’s Place Songs for Mother Earth Featuring music by Neil Young, Kinnie Starr, Ben Harper, JB the First Lady and more!!... Decolonizing your airwaves every Wednesday from 2-4pm EST on CILU 102.7FM & luradio.ca #zongwebinesikwe #decolonizeme #reconciliAction #communityradio

Please consider joining us on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at 6 pm for our AGM. We will be sharing news about our upcoming webinars, what we have been doing over the last year, a financial overview and goals for upcoming year. RSVP Cindy Crowe at [email protected] or (807) 627-5768 to receive your zoom link.... #AGM #AnnualGeneralMeeting #YoureInvited #Invitation

November 25 is International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Say her name- Barbara Kentner.

Join multimedia artist, optimist and dreamer, Cynthia Nault at her home studio* for this 8-week journey inward, where we will step-by-step explore Painting as a... Spiritual Practice: $395 per person or register with a friend and save $50 each. Cynthia Nault is two-spirit Anishnaabekwe, Wolverine Clan, from Lake Helen First Nation. Cynthia has lived experience with mental health challenges. She was born in Sudbury and lives in Thunder Bay, where she studied Multimedia Production for 3 years at Confederation College. Culturally speaking, being of mixed ancestry (parts English and French), has given Cynthia the gift of being able to walk in two worlds. Cynthia uses her gifts to help bridge gaps and make connections. As a Multimedia Artist, Cynthia uses different mediums to enable a vision being brought into reality (i.e. watercolour, acrylic, fluid acrylic paints; hand and digital illustration techniques; beads, wool, natural materials, and reused and upcycled materials combined with traditional crafting supplies; etc.). Cynthias signature style of acrylic painting features spirit animals & guides. Painting as a Spiritual Practice came into Cynthias life in 2014, via Artist and Activist, Angela Gollat. This philosophy of painting is only a little bit about the paint; moreso it is about making time and space in your life to listen to your inner voice, your inner truth. Painting as a Spiritual Practice will function as a dedicated time and space for self-care, reflection, connection with others and creating a safe space to feel and process emotions on the canvas. You do not need to be an artist to benefit from this course. In case of allergies, etc.: Please be advised that there is 1 cat who lives on the premises. She is very timid and you likely wont see her but she's here. We will be adhering to the Thunder Bay District Health Unit's Covid-19 guidelines. Masks will be required. Hand sanitizer will be available. Everyone in the class will have tools and supplies for use at their stations to limit people cross-touching items. *In the case that our region should go back into lockdown/quarantine, the course will be an online/video conferencing format. To register or for more information, contact Cynthia Nault at [email protected] or call/text (807) 627-2385. Mondays: https://www.facebook.com/events/286030212486859 Wednesdays: https://www.facebook.com/events/762455047940907 #PaintingAsASpiritualPractice #Painting #Acrylic #Art #PaintingLessons #SpiritualPractice

*Update: Program now FULL.* Have you heard? EcoSuperior is offering a PPE Recycling Program for schools! Here’s how it works: 1. As an employee of a Thunder Ba...y educational facility, register your school by emailing [email protected] 2. Your Green Circle Salons box will then be delivered to your school, to start your waste reduction journey! 3. Begin disposing your masks, gloves, and disinfecting wipes into the bin (as seen above) 4. Once full, box it up and send it away for shipping, using the prepaid shipping label provided 5. Contact us to order your next bin 6. Repeat! Our program is already 1/2 full- so don’t wait to claim your spot today. #wastereduction #circulareconomy #schoolwaste #ppe

Awenen Niin ID Clinic - Thursday September 24/2020 By appointment only: Contact Angie by phone or email to schedule an appointment... 807-630-1855 or email [email protected]

EXCELLENT opportunities today for business minded women (2 time slots). Feel free to reach out to me directly with any questions.....I will work on getting the answers. or RSVP with Summer at [email protected]

Final day of install. Last of the pictures. We are ready for the Opening Ceremonies tomorrow at 12PM. We hope to see you all there.

Are you an Indigenous woman looking to start a business? or perhaps expand your business? maybe change it to meet the pandemic guidelines? This FREE information... session may be for you. Please RSVP Summer at [email protected] Feel free to reach out to me as well in my new role as Business Growth Advisor at PARO. Inbox me for more details.

Here, I talk about the importance about diversity. Its through our differences that really connect us in a beautiful profound way. Have a quick listen.

CASTING CALL: We're looking for local Indigenous families to appear in a photoshoot! Youll be joining our team to support Indigenous families & combat violence... against women by appearing in our newest promotional materials for upcoming programming. For details visit: beendigen.com/castingcall See more

This booklet was prepared to help provide information and advice on how to bring the People’s voices back into community decision-making and away from the Indian Act Band Council system on our own terms not the federal government’s.

My books came in!!! I’m so honoured to be a co-author in Lighting the North and a contributing author in She’s No Longer Silent! We are taking orders thr...ough Golden Brick Road Publishing and through Amazon. I have advanced copies as well! DM if you’re interested. Links available in comment. Chi miigwetch for your support! See more

Please support Darlene Necan on her grandmother's walk to raise awareness and gain support and action to try to stop nuclear waste from being buried in Treaty 3... / Treaty 9 territory. The NWMO is a multi-billion dollar corporation who spent many years determining that it wasn't safe to bury Nuclear waste in Saskatchewan or Central Ontario, but selected a site where the population of people wasn't high so they would face less opposition. But we must all protect the water and do what we can so that our sisters and brothers aren't standing alone in their territories trying to stop this corporation. Nuclear waste has a shelf life of 100,000 years. Meaning, it could kill an entire region and everything in it and all the connected water systems forever. For more information and to follow updates and support go to the No Nuclear Waste on Treaty Lands. DONATE TO THEIR WALK: Email transfer to: [email protected] Subject Line: Walk2020

@nehiyanahk_creations Before I had my own children, being an auntie was one of my greatest joys. It still is!! This picture of my nephew makes me so happy and... so confident in the future. The world is going to see great things happen because of our youth. I believe it with all my heart. Hat: @reclaimyourpower Nephew: @mattjmichael

There is something magical when you get the lodge ready for ceremony. You can already feel the lodge being surrounded by spirits. Our true governance is coded i...n our language and earth. Ceremony connects it all together through prayer and humility. So thankful for the gifts that were left behind by those before us. #Miigwetch See more

Heads up! Please be careful

Have your say on the City's Program and Service Review. View Grant Thorntons Phase Two Report and share your comments from now until July 31. Comments will be ...provided to City Council for consideration when they discuss the recommendations at a Special Committee of the Whole in September. Visit: www.thunderbay.ca/GetInvolved See more

COVID-19 doesnt respect ceremonies. But Anishinaabe comedian Ryan McMahon has some ways to help keep the virus in check, so ceremonies stay safe. #TakeCareInCOVID

Beginning in July, ONWA is introducing a new Drop & #GoBAG called #FreshFridays! For more information: https://www.onwa.ca/post/gobags

Come join the next iteration of INDIGital!

"Indigenous rights and sovereignty must be the foundation upon which every aspect of Just Recovery is built." ICYMI, the Just Recovery Principles were launched yesterday, which Indigenous Climate Action endorsed. You can read the full text of the principles here: https://justrecoveryforall.ca/

Add this to your reading list! <3

Calling all Indigenous women, girls & gender-diverse people take part in our ribbon skirt making competition! -Submit a photo of your skirt w/ its price to [email protected] by May 31 -We'll select & buy the top 20! -Our Elders will award a sewing machine for best design!

Looking for inspiration? We have a free webinar Wednesday, May 20, that may pique your interest - How to Know When You Are in a Dangerous Situation, presented b...y, Ontario Native Women's Association. Please register at least two business days prior to the webinar. If you are interested in watching live or gaining access to a recording please contact [email protected]. See more

Boozhoo, tune in for our Live stream with Grandma Bea tonight at 6pm on Bimaadiziwin Wiidookaagewin Feel free to share with your family and friends. Miigwech

This is gunna be out of this world! Come join us!!

REGISTER NOW for #MoccWalk2020! This #FREE excercise challenge is intended to increase awareness about #diabetes & support physical activity amongst Indigenous ...women and their families across #Ontario. Enter now and get active, get fit, have fun for the chance to win some cool prizes! www.onwa.ca/moccwalk2020 See more