First Peoples Wellness Circle
857 Yellek Trail P1B 8G5 North Bay, ON, Canada

We’re hiring! Looking for independent, driven individuals who enjoy working in a small team atmosphere. Come join this growing organization dedicated to improving First Nation wellness by supporting the workforce.

Dr. Lorna Williams was a panelist at our Traditional Knowledge to Support Wellness Series that focused on the importance of language revitalization. Her knowledge is so vast and incredible. Consider joining this learning module to hear more from Dr. Williams.

We look forward to hosting Joe Pitwanakwat of Creator’s Garden in our Worker Wellness series next week. Not registered with us? There’s a free webinar coming up that you can join. See the information below

We're hiring! Are you looking for an amazing team and place to work? Look no further - we're currently hiring for a:... "Marketing and Communications Coordinator" Deadline to submit your application is: March 3/21 @ 4pm EST Learn more here: https://fnhma.ca/job-posting-fnhma-marketing-and-communica/

Attention public health and allied health professionals, researchers, policy-makers, academics, students and trainees! CPHA's COVID-19 and Public Health Virtua...l Forum will be held in April. First Nations Health Managers Association Here's the link for submissions: http://ow.ly/fY7f50DjFpF See more

#BellLetsTalk #EndTheStigma

This article highlights important conversations you can hear at FNHMA’s Town Halls every Thursday. Our CEO Dr Brenda Restoule and Dr Carol Hopkins of Thunderbird Partnership Foundation discuss the importance of harm reduction strategies to save lives during the pandemic.

Want to learn more about Indigenous youth and life promotion activities? This webinar hosted by the World Indigenous Suicide Prevention Conference promises to be jam packed with information and resources. Listen to We Matter talk about their work supporting Indigenous youth in Canada. #WeMatter

Congratulations to our partner Thunderbird Partnership Foundation for continuing the good on expanding the knowledge of substance use in First Nation communities. Research on cannabis can assist communities in making informed decisions about the health of their citizens.

Learn more about how data can support First Nation communities to address the impacts of COVID by watching the livestream meeting of the Implementation Team of the First Nation Mental Wellness Continuum Framework. The discussion goes live today at 1:00 EST facebook.com/thunderbirdpf

Acts of reconciliation through food security in Sioux Lookout. We applaud this innovative work on addressing health inequities, colonialism and systemic racism in health care. https://www.nourishhealthcare.ca/practice-study-slmhc #thunderbirdpf... #fnhma See more

In recognition of Treaty Week here is a resource about treaties in Ontario.

COVID has caused us to live in constant stress. Our traditional knowledge has always known the importance of being connected to creation for mental wellness. This article highlights the importance of nature in dealing with stress.

FPWC honours all those children who attended residential schools and those who didn’t make it home. Your resiliency has ensured our future. The work we do is meant to carry forward the legacy of hope, healing and wellness. Every Child Matters.

The Resolution Health Support Program that supports Indian Residential School survivors and their families is a program that has served hundreds of thousands of people by helping them address the terrible consequences of IRS. This program was established as part of the IRS settlement agreement and it was believed that by 2018 there would be no more need for mental health supports. What the government couldn’t predict was how many of our survivors would come forward, how many ...family members would share how they watched their loved one suffer and how they themselves were impacted. The demand for support to go through the settlement agreement and then for mental health support to assist survivors on their healing journey had not dwindled by 2018 and so it was extended. Not 1 year, not 2 but 3 years. The data shows that the demand for mental health supports grows and the demand cultural/traditional support services continues to grow even more significantly each year the longer the program runs. Sadly, there will be no more extension. We know this program is an important part of peoples healing and absolutely necessary in our communities, for the survivors and their families. The RHSP workforce, survivors and organizations such as the AFN have written reports showing its impact and its need and are advocating for the continuation of this program to ensure Indigenous people have the right to mental wellness. FPWC joins in the advocacy for the continuation of this much needed program that demonstrates the importance of our culture in our wellness. Read the report by following the link shared below. See more

We are so excited to announce that Spirit Bear's first animated film telling the story of how children came together to stand for justice with First Nations chi...ldren & ensure Jordan's Principle is a reality is being featured at VIFF on Sept 27 at 3pm PST. You can watch for FREE! Find more information here: https://viff.org/Online/default.asp See more

Brenda Restoule, CEO of the First People’s Wellness Circle, was one of the presenters at #ASI2020. She was interviewed on CBC Radio about applying Two-Eyed Seei...ng to a mental health context. Although her radio interview is not available on the CBC 'Island Morning' website, here are a few excerpts from the interview. Brenda said, In our communities they’re starting to design and develop mental health programs and services that are based from a cultural perspective. Such programs include exposing them to teachings and experiential practices that give connection to land, and teaching them how to develop collective wellness by having good support systems, and [determining] who are their support systems, both from the land and from those in their family and in their community. We are seeing that a lot of our people are having discussions addressing the social determinants of health and that we are more holistic, so we want to think about holistic ways of wellness - looking and ensuring that people have access to food, good shelter, but also access to cultural practices as ways of helping to maintain mindfulness, meditation, and improve and maintain wellness. Brenda says that, we are seeing increased investment by government to support more culturally based practices around health and wellness, but they are not enough. We know that Indigenous people suffer from greater rates of health issues, from physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health concerns, and we don’t have enough health human resources to address the needs based on the work that needs to be done to support them to move towards wellness at an individual, family and community perspective. Influencing policy development for upstream investment in mental health promotion was one of the goals of ASI 2020. ASI intends to refine the policy brief drafted at the Forum and advocate at the provincial, federal and municipal levels, using those recommendations for evidence-based investment in #upstream policies to promote infant, child and youth #mentalhealth.

An important resource on understanding and preventing sex trafficking.

We’re hiring. FPWC is a small, growing organization looking to expand its team. Do you have superior skills in booking and general accounting? Do you have experience supporting small organizations grow their financial capacity?... We might be looking for you! See the posting for more details. https://www.dropbox.com//Bookkeeper%20Job%20Posting%20Sept

We’re hiring! We are a small, growing organization looking to expand our team. Do you have skills in community based research? Do you have experience supporting Indigenous communities or organizations implementing their research agenda? Do you have skills in applying research outcomes to a practical application?... This might be the position for you. Check out the posting for more details. https://www.dropbox.com//Researcher%20Job%20Posting%20Sept

We are very pleased with the recent announcement by Minister Miller to further invest in innovative mental wellness services in First Nation communities that recognizes communities driven approaches. We are especially appreciative to see Mental Wellness Teams receive more investments to continue their work in promoting wellness in First Nation communities. We look forward to our continued partnership with Mental Wellness Teams as we all work to address the negative impacts of the pandemic. https://www.canada.ca//government-of-canada-is-responding-

Some interesting webinars by FNHA.

An interesting opportunity

Additional support for First Nation communities to deal with COVID

Star teachings are important to our wellbeing.

FPWC would like to express their condolences to the family and community of Sally Johnson. Sally worked in her community and was an advocate for First Nation health and mental wellness in Nova Scotia. She brought her knowledge to national tables such as the AFN Mental Wellness Committee and was the Nova Scotia First Nation representative on the First Nation Mental Wellness Continuum Framework Implementation Team. Sally’s work has changed the landscape of mental wellness services in First Nation communities and we are grateful for the opportunity to work with such a dedicated and kind-hearted Mi’kmaq Kwe. Baamaapii Sally and chi-miigwech for all of your wise words and leadership.

Information on funding, data and response to COVID-19

First Nation perspectives on COVID-19 for individual, family and community wellness. Miigwech to Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority and Curve Lake First Nation for sharing these useful infographics.

If you are a mental wellness practitioner working in First Nation communities this 8 week program may be for you. Discussion of Indigenous perspectives for counseling and psychotherapy will be examined from various well-respected Indigenous perspectives from across the globe. The bonus is if you work in a First Nation or Indigenous communities the registration fee is only $100! Check it out!

Are you a front line worker? Are you part of a Mental Wellness Team? Do you need more tools for your own self-care? Or to teach self-care to your clients? Check out this webinar by IDHC

Connecting to the land during the pandemic helps deal with stress and worry for families. Check out this urban program that supports wellness through culture and connection.

An interesting webinar to tune into

Check out this virtual gathering discussing the importance of healing Mother Earth (Shkagamik-Kwe). We know that the health of Mother Earth is a direct reflection of our own healing and wellness. Caring for our relatives and our mother the earth are critical to the health and wellness of our families and communities.

The heart berry. A time for connecting with our heart.

NCCIH Webinar: Traditional Indigenous Medicine in North America: A Review" Date and Time: Friday, June 26, 2020... 12:30PM - 2:00PM EST See post below for more information & to register!