b'HEALTH & WELL-BEINGOne of those 10 centres is Waasegiizhig Nanaandaweiyewigamigcancer. Like WNHAC, they also focus on supporting maternal (WNHAC) in Keewatin (Kenora), Ontario. The healing lodge was namedhealth through ongoing research and initiatives, like their Raising in honour of a local healer and created to foster healthy Anishinaabeg,Our Children (ROC) support team. The ROC team supports families and communities through traditional and contemporary health- Indigenous pregnant women through activities such as developing care encompassing mind, body, heart and spirit. They do so by providingan adaptation of an Indigenous pregnancy passport, a Perinatal community-led, holistic healing services to over 15 First Nations commun- Mood and Anxiety Disorder workshop, and five webinars for ities, including an Indigenous Midwifery Program. community maternal child health workers and nurses, notes a Like all WNHACs offerings, the midwifery program was created andSLFNHA representative.shaped through ongoing community consultations. As Dawn Wiscombe, a midwife with the team, explains: The communities were feeling thatMEDICINE WHEELthey were being not treated well as far as having their birth and preg- The Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health in Ottawa, Ontario nancy needs met, so they advocated for this program. recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Since its launch, the centre Wiscombe explains that the Indigenous Midwifery Program is a safe andhas delivered a broad range of services guided by the teachings comfortable one-stop shop for prenatal and postpartum care: Whenof the medicine wheel. The first quadrant, situated in the east, people think about midwives, the main thing they typically think aboutembodies a sense of belonging, explains Allison Fisher, Executive is births, but there are many other supports that are needed as well.Director of Wabano. Our goal is to cultivate a welcoming space Because we dont oversee the births, we have more time to do some offor every community member who enters our doors, as we firmly the things that maybe your typical midwives dont do. believe safety is fundamental for personal progress.WNHACs program responds to a dire need in the IndigenousMastery, interdependence and generosity round out Wabanos community. It is one that its compassionate and skilful team is proud toholistic model of care. The team provides a range of pre- and offer, guided by the understanding that doing so uplifts entire commun- postnatal supports, education and specialized care and supports ities. Women are often the heart of the home. Theyre the ones that areto communities through gynecology services, mental health carrying the babies, says Miscombe. If we care for mothers and allowsupports, and vital assistance to women facing domestic violence. healing to happen at that critical time in life, that expands out into theWabano Centre stands as a hub for Indigenous services, offering entire family and the entire community. crisis support services to individuals in hospitals, those about to be discharged, or those at risk or involved in human trafficking, SUPPORTING POPULATIONS Fisher says. Our crisis services provide a lifeline, guiding individuals The movement to innovate Indigenous-centred healthcare isnt new:to safe locations and supporting them until they are ready to The Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA) has beenmove forward.committed to transforming the health of Anishinaabe people acrossAll told, Wabano aims to be not only a healthcare provider, but Kiiwetinoong (North) since its inception in 1990.also a dedicated community partner that works night and day SLFNHA is dedicated to strengthening First Nations by contributing toto uplift and empower the women in our community at every a strong health system built on common core values of respect, equitystage of life. After all, says Fisher, strong women make strong and fairness while also promoting culture and prioritizing relationshipfamilies. We recognize the significance of supporting women at building, says a representative with the organization. This is achieved,every stage of life, and our comprehensive range of services reflects they continue, through the voices of women from our communities,this commitment.whether that is our female Chiefs or community members who access our programs and services. MAKING PROGRESS SLFNHA provides a range of physical and mental health services forThese places are only a few of the Indigenous healthcare cham-33 communities, including cancer screening for breast and cervicalpions dedicated to enriching the lives of women and their families in their communities. National organizations like the Canadian MARKETPLACE Indigenous Nurses Association (CINA) and regional changemakers like Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre in Fort Frances, Anishnawbe Health Toronto and Dilico Anishinabek Family Care MCFN Communityin Fort William First Nation are also working towards the same goal. Health is a programThere is a movement happening, says Ortolan. Its small, but it is found right here inhappening on the ground and flourishing.your community.Indigenous women have been historically marginalized within It has many differentCanada losing their inherent right to be recognized as services available toThe Community HealthIndigenous by the imposition and implementation of the Indian everyone. Unit is composed of: Act to the increasing daily numbers of Missing and Murdered We are dedicated to Community Health Nurse Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), says the SLFNHA repre-promoting, educating Community Healthsentative. To ensure that services for Indigenous women improve, and informing theRepresentative we need to improve access to all services right across the board and community with regard Healthy Babies/Healthyestablish and promote programs that are specifically directed and to the health andChildren Coordinatorwellness of everyone. Community Health Clerk catered to Indigenous women. Work needs to be done to ensure Indigenous women receive cultur-www.mncfn.ca905-768-1181 ally relevant care, and that the racism that continues to fester within the healthcare system is pulled out by its roots.26Fall/Winter 2023'