PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
Policy Analysis
Administration
HIV Program
Diabetes Program
Community Wellness Workers
Gambling Prevention Program
Jordan's Principle Program
Mental Health and Addictions Program
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Program
Healthy Babies Health Children Program
Health Transformation Project
The Federal and Provincial Policy Analysts analyze health issues that address the health needs of the Anishinabek First Nations.
They serve as policy advisors and provide strategic direction to the Anishinabek Nation.
The Health Secretariat provides administrative support to the Anishinabek Advisory Council on Health, the Anishinabek Chiefs Committee on Health, and the Chiefs of Ontario Chiefs Committee on Health.
FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER (FASD) PROGRAM:
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is a lifelong disability that affects the brain and body of people who were exposed to alcohol in the womb. Each person with FASD has both strengths and challenges and will need special supports to help them succeed with many different parts of their daily lives.
Our unique and culturally based programs and workshops are designed to help the Anishinabek Nation communities meet the needs of people whose lives are affected by FASD. This is done through:
- Capacity Building: We provide specialized training and resources to caregivers, correctional officers, social service workers, educators, community members and those with lived experience.
- Community Outreach: We provide workshops, resources and supports around FASD awareness and the link to other neurodivergent exceptionalities. There is a focus on strengths of those with lived experience.
- Political Advocacy: Cooperate with political and community partners to broaden the scope of services for the First Nations. This includes research projects, political awareness, and prevention strategies.
The vision of the program is to enhance the needed resources, capacity training and supports for frontline workers, caregivers, and those with lived experience around all neurodevelopmental exceptionalities. In doing this, we will help to reduce the stigma associated with FASD.
HIV PROGRAM:
The Anishinabek Nation HIV program offers:
- HIV Capacity development for frontline workers.
- Advocacy for Anishinabek Nation citizens who are living with or affected by HIV.
- HIV, Hepatitis C, education and resources.
- Harm Reduction resources-condoms, lube, internal, dental dam for member communities.
- Information booths, Health Fairs.
- Skill-building sessions for positive people using Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV and/or Aids/Meaningful Engagement of People Living with HIV and/or Aids principles (GEPA/MIPA).
- Traditional teaching sessions relevant to healthy relationships.
- Culture as prevention, HIV Education combined with cultural practices, moccasins, mitts, mukluks, medicine bags, beadwork, Tiikanaagans.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that can be contracted from having unprotected sex, injection drug use, or during vaginal births. For those with a new diagnosis of HIV, it is important to know that it is not a death sentence. People taking medication regularly can suppress the virus to undetectable levels and greatly reduce the risk of transmission. With medical advancements, people with HIV are now living happy, normal lives.
If you or someone you know is positive and would like to become involved in advocacy and learn new skills, reach out to our program.
COMMUNITY WELLNESS WORKERS:
The Community Wellness Workers meet with individuals and families within their respective First Nation, providing services or access to services, including: family violence services, referrals, support and case management to clients to address and/or respond to existing and emerging health, healing and wellness issues, or violent situations.
There is one CWW in each First Nation within the Anishinabek Nation territory.
HEALTHY BABIES HEALTHY CHILDREN PROGRAM:
The objective of the Aboriginal Healthy Babies/Healthy Children (AHBHC) Program is to improve the long-term health prospects of children aged 0–6 years. The program includes pre-and post-natal screening and assessment, home visiting, service co-ordination and support for service integration.
AHBHC program is voluntary and open to any Aboriginal family that requests the service. Aboriginal families may also access the provincial program via the local public health unit.
Each First Nation within the Anishinabek Nation participates in and/or offers the AHBHC program. There are project sites including Dilico Child and Family Services and Mnaamodzawin Health Services.
RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING PROGRAM:
The goal of the Anishinabek Nation Responsible Gambling Program is to build the capacity of First Nation communities to address issues related to problem gambling.
DIABETES PROGRAM:
The goal of the Anishinabek Nation Diabetes Education program is to decrease the incidence of diabetes in the Anishinabek Nation.
Diabetic Retinal Screening:
We have been trained to offer Diabetic Retinal Screening. This screening will help detect early diabetic retinopathy. This checks your eyes for problems, often before you notice any changes in your sight. Finding and treating diabetic retinopathy early can reduce and prevent damage to your eyes and sight loss.
JORDAN’S PRINCIPLE PROGRAM:
What is Jordan’s Principle and what is its goal?
Jordan’s Principle is a child-first and needs-based legal requirement born from the tragedy of Jordan River Anderson. Its goal is to make sure First Nations children from newborn to 18 can access all public services without experiencing any service denials, delays, or disruptions related to their status as First Nations citizens.
It means if a child needs health, social, and educational care and assistance, they will receive it, and it will be paid for by the first government contacted under Jordan’s Principle. The issue of who will pay for it will be for later discussion.
Anishinabek Nation and Jordan’s Principle Navigators:
The Anishinabek Nation began development of its own Jordan’s Principle initiative in February 2018 through its newly appointed Jordan’s Principle Navigators. The Navigators’ main premise is twofold: first, the Navigators promote Jordan’s Principle to families, communities, and service providers, encouraging children with unmet needs and their families to secure access to needed services and supports, and second, to submit requests for assistance either with, or on behalf of, these children and families.
Jordan’s Principle Navigators can also assist by connecting children and families to service providers, to work with community Jordan’s Principle workers and to assist them with identified children and families in their communities, and to facilitate or “navigate” the application process for all parties involved, ensuring the child’s needs are always prioritized.
HEALTH TRANSFORMATION PROJECT:
Anishinabek Nation member First Nations have been advocating for greater control over their health and wellness, consistent with the inherent right to self-determination. The purpose of Health Transformation is to create a high-quality, culturally-driven health system that is tailored to community needs and is designed and delivered by member First Nations. Health Transformation is not devolution; it is First Nations taking control of their health.
In Fall 2023, the Chiefs-in-Assembly endorsed a resolution to direct the Anishinabek Nation Health Secretariat to prepare a business case to secure funding for the next level of engagement and to explore the feasibility of an Anishinabek Health Authority to strengthen the engagement process by conducting community meetings for each of the 39 Anishinabek member First Nations, as well as regional meetings.
Since then, the Anishinabek Nation has been officially on-boarded to receive Health Transformation funding as of June 2026 and the prime focus areas are to continue the development of a Governance Model; continue to engage and communicate with Anishinabek Nation member First Nations; to develop a draft Agreement in Principle; and to draft a Data Sharing Agreement between the Anishinabek Nation, Indigenous Services Canada, and the Ministry of Health for approval in 2027.
Engagement Sessions are ongoing throughout the Anishinabek Nation territory to bring Anishinabek First Nations together to discuss a comprehensive system change based on the determinants of health.
The Health Transformation Team also has a Working Group comprised of health directors and health professionals who meet every three months. Meetings are ongoing, and communities are encouraged to send representatives to participate.
For more information, please visit www.health-transformation.ca or email HT@anishinabek.ca.
OPIOID PROGRAM:
The Opioid program began in 2022. This program meets with the First Nations front-line workers, leadership, and management to get an in-depth look at the opioid crisis, discuss current issues and to identify their needs through planned community sessions. The program also provides an opportunity for individuals with lived experience of opioid addiction to have a voice in planning and implementing a strategy.
Workshops held include grief and loss, opioid effects on the body and mental health, family healing plans, the Mental Health and Addiction Summit and continue to look at ways to decrease the stigma surrounding mental health and addictions. Anishinabek Nation First Nations can reach out to the Opioid program if interested in having a workshop in your community.
In addition, the Opioid Strategy Program has organized an Opioid Advisory Committee and Working Group based on the Anishinabek Nation Long-Term Healing Strategy.