b'When you go in for a treatmentaddiction. This has been a tough chal-program and you come back out in thelenge for leaders like Collins and for First open, back out on the street or backNations frontline staff to manage. Once into your community, the dealers arentwe get out of this pandemic, he says, gone, the opportunity is still there, sowe have another pandemic that we need what were trying to do is work with theto deal with, and thats the opioid crisis minister to get aftercare programmingin our communities.so folks have that guided support as theyThis sentiment is shared by Dr. Carol embark on a healthy lifestyle.Hopkins, Chief Executive Officer of the Like many other First NationsThunderbird Partnership Foundation, communities, pandemic lockdowna national organization that serves First measures brought out the true level ofNations across Canada in addressing crisis the community was facing withmental wellness, substance abuse and Dr. Carol Hopkins, CEO of the Thunderbird Partnership Foundationtreatment plans or process, and no work to help them get into a program, they go by the wayside and they lose interest, Collins says.\x1f\x1e\x1d\x1c\x1b\x1d\x1a\x19\x18\x17\x18\x16\x15\x14\x13\x1a\x19\x12\x14\x18\x11\x1e\x15\x1e\x14\x12\x18\x10\x13\x19\x12\x15\x0f\x12\x14What were trying to\x0e\x13\x1d\x1a\x18\x10\x13\x1b\x17\x0cdo is work with the222 Rowntree Dairy RdWoodbridge, ON L4L9T2minister to get aftercareT: 905-652-4140www.local675.caprogramming so folks@local675interiorsystemshave that guided support as they embark on a healthy lifestyle. First Peoples Wellness Circle (FPWC)is a national not-for-profit - Chief Peter Collins corporation that exists to improve the lives of Canadas First Peoples by addressing healing, wellness, and other mental health challenges. Through Operating out of the Dilicoimplementation of the First Nation Mental Wellness Continuum Framework, Anishinabek Family Care building,we advocate and work for collaborative system changes to create wellness and the RAAM clinic was designed towhole health for First Peoples.provide those in the Thunder Bay areaFPWC supports Mental Wellness and Crisis Response a confidential, safe and non-judgmentalTeams through capacity building, networking, space to receive immediate access toresearch, education, policy and partnerships. We aim specialized addiction services. Whileto deliver culturally relevant and responsive training Collins has been lobbying hard to bringand resources that can serve the needs of First Nation resources like the RAAM clinic into hiscommunities addressing mental wellness needs.community, he notes that the money currently spent on mental health and addiction services has not includedCall 1-833-311-FPWC (3792) Emailinfo@fpwc.ca www.fpwc.caan aftercare program. This can be a challenge because, as Collins explains, I ssue1 2021C hIefs ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazIne l 31'