PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

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:

Our Message Debwewin – Truth

As Anishinabe people, we believe that our children are the heart of our nations and the carriers of our dreams and aspirations for the future. Every child has a gift and is considered sacred. It is our responsibility to nurture and protect them so that they may fulfill the path laid out for them by the Creator.

Anishinabek people living with FASD have a right to be treated with Zaagidwin (love) and Mnaadendomowin (respect).

The Role of the FASD Team Aakedhewin – Bravery

To increase the general level of awareness and knowledge of community members and to foster community ownership and action around FASD.
To equip front-line workers with the necessary tools to holistically address the issue of FASD at the community level.

What is FASD? Nbwaakaawin – Wisdom

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. (CanFASD)

What do I need to know? Dbaadendiziwin – Humility

FASD is one of the leading neurodevelopment disabilities in Canada 4% of Canadians are diagnosed with FASD. May individuals go undiagnosed and do not receive supports.
50% of pregnancies are unplanned, and many do not know they are pregnant for up to 12 weeks.
Alcohol can affect the development of an unborn baby as early as the first week of pregnancy.
There is no safe type or amount of alcohol to drink, at any time during pregnancy.

What do we offer? Mnaadendomowin – Respect

Our unique and culturally based programs and workshops are designed to help the Anishinabek Nation communities to meet the needs of people whose lives are affected by FASD. This is done through:

Gwekwaadziwin – Honesty

Capacity Building: We provide specialized training and resources to caregivers, correctional officers, social service workers, educators, community members and those with living 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 living 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 Future of the Program Zaagidwin – Love

The vision of the program is to enhance the needed resources, capacity training and supports for frontline workers, caregivers, and those with living 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. 

Aboriginal Healthy Babies/Healthy Children (AHBHC)

The Aboriginal Healthy Babies/Healthy Children (AHBHC) Program supports families in celebrating and honoring new and young life in Indigenous communities. The objectives are:

To foster healing and support healthy child development, maternal health;
To improve access to services that reduce health inequities for Indigenous families;
Assist Indigenous families to provide the best opportunities for healthy development using a wholistic, culturally responsive and strengths-based approach; and
Connect Indigenous families with resources, referrals and/or services to address their needs, such as family violence services.

The ANHBHC Program provides culturally responsive prevention and early intervention supports and services to Indigenous families with children from prenatal to 6 years. The program is voluntary and open to any Indigenous family that requests the service.

The AHBHC community workers are a valuable asset to families and communities as they have knowledge of child growth and development, are aware of the resources available in the community and are able to connect families with services and supports to address their needs.

Each First Nation within the Anishinabek Nation participates in and/or offers the AHBHC program. There are projects 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.”

Program funds are to be utilized to undertake activities that assist in reaching the following goals:

Prevention

Goal: Decrease cross-generational incidence of type 2 diabetes by addressing the unique needs of Indigenous people and the diverse circumstances of Ontario’s Indigenous communities.

Care and Treatment

Goal: Establish holistic, community-based, Indigenous-specific diabetes programs and services that will help Indigenous people to manage their diabetes, prevent complications and promote good health and well-being.

Education

Goal: Establish holistic, community-based Indigenous diabetes education models that reflect Indigenous culture, are designed by Indigenous people to meet their communities’ needs.

Research

Goal: Support and promote research that increase Indigenous peoples’ knowledge of diabetes as well as the impact of diabetes prevention, care and treatment on health outcomes.

Coordination

Goal: Improve integration, collaboration and partnerships in Indigenous diabetes policy, programs and services and enhance Ontario’s capacity to delivery comprehensive, quality programs and services for Indigenous people and communities.

Objectives we aim to achieve are:

Increased access to diabetes education services;
Increased knowledge of skills to manage own diabetes care;
Increased knowledge of risk factors for developing diabetes;
Increased knowledge of behaviours to reduce risk of developing diabetes; and
Increased activities to support people to minimize their risk of developing diabetes.

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.

Responsible Gambling

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.”

Problem gambling prevention programs must be linked with the provincial prevention goals and objectives. These goals and objectives are:

Increase awareness of the risks associated with gambling.
Increase public awareness of services available for the treatment of problem gambling and how to access them.
Prevention programs provide effective, evidence-based services that are culturally, linguistically, age and gender appropriate.
Decrease negative attitudes towards problem gamblers.

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. 

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

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