The Kizhaay Anishinaabe Niin program translates in English to “I am a Kind Man”. The programs goal is to encourage men to speak out and end all forms of violence towards Indigenous women and learn how to create healthy relationships. It reconnects men to their ancient duty as protectors of women and children and to Mino-Bimaadiziwin (live the good life)

Who We Serve: Indigenous men and male youth (13+) who are proactively seeking cultural resources and supportive services in the movement to end violence against women, Indigenous men and male youth who were or are currently involved in the justice system.

The Intergenerational Trauma Coordinator (ITC) pilot project provides culture based mental health services to all self-identifying urban Indigenous community members of all ages, in recognition of the ongoing and intergenerational traumas carried by Indigenous communities as a result of the attempted genocide of the Indian Residential School system. The ITC supports individuals and families to recognize and address traumas and associated mental health and/or substance abuse concerns towards the achievement of a Good Mind.

The Lifelong Care program (LLC) provides community support services to all urban Indigenous community members, regardless of age, who are disabled, chronically ill, frail elderly or require acute/chronic continuum of care. The LLC provides a holistic approach to community support services, enhancing and improving the quality of life and living for the clients, allowing them to live independently in their community.

Wasa-Nabin is a self-development program for urban Indigenous at-risk youth (ages 13-18). The goal of the program is to promote cultural identity, self-esteem, educational values and career goals, and to enhance healthy choices for Indigenous and Non-Indigenous youth. We encourage our youth to be leaders and create an environment that allows them to lead other youth through example of Mino-Bimaadiziwin (live the good life). Services and supports are offered in the following categories; Social Support, Youth in Care, Healthy Eating and Physical Development, Education, Justice, and Preventing Violence. Eligible youth receive one-to-one support and services, as well as the opportunity to be involved in group activities.

Urban Indigenous Food Security Program is funded by United Way, offers many learning opportunities for clients to empower food security.

We will aim to:
-Provide methods used to resource food - food banks/ grocery hauls/ community gardens.
-Provide education for basic gardening skills, urban gardening tips
-Create a space where working as a group for the common good provides a greater sense of community and connectedness to others, self, and nature.
-Teach traditional Indigenous knowledge about growing, harvesting, ceremonial foods and the role of food in the community both historically and presently.
-Teach practical skills to improve nutritional intake on a budget, increase variety of recipes, learn to grow fresh food at home, food storage, and food preservation.
-Access to knowledge on food sales happening in the community/ local grocery stores (greater buying power for the dollar).
-Reduction in the percentage of budget spent on groceries monthly.
-Reduction in stress around budgeting, meal prepping.

A Traditional Healer is someone that lives their life according to ancestral teachings. These individuals earn the respect of their community by contributing to its members spiritual development. Within the Indigenous community, Healers offer emotional and spiritual guidance to individuals seeking a closer connection to their culture, language, and ancestral teachings etc. There are also Healers that incorporate the use of traditional medicines to help individuals heal their mind body and spirit. This exchange of knowledge helps to promote spiritual and emotional healing within Indigenous communities.

Funded by the Ministry of the Attorney General the Indigenous Court Worker Program was established as a way to provide opportunities for Indigenous people to gain access to support systems. It was recognized that, because of cultural differences, a communication barrier existed between Native people and the legal system. The Indigenous Court Worker’s goal is to assist Indigenous people who come in conflict with the law by providing support, liaison services, resources and information on matters relating to the judicial system in order to increase clients understanding of their legal rights, options and responsibilities thereby enabling an effective transition through the judicial system. The Court Worker will collaborate with the client, Lawyers, Duty Counsel, Police, Judges, Crowns, and other related agencies/programs to develop a plan of action that will address the root causes of the client’s behaviour that has brought them before the courts. Frequent and consistent follow up with the client will be required to support and manage their plan of action.