Ontario government launches Pathways to Safety: Ontario’s Strategy in Response to the Final Report into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
May 27, 2021 14:23 ET | Source: Ontario Native Women s Association Ontario Native Women s Association Fort William First Nation, Ontario, CANADA
Thunder Bay, ON, May 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE)
The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) and Ganohkwasra Family Assault Support Services acknowledges and honours the thousands of Indigenous women and girls taken from us by violence. Many of these women were mothers whose children have now been forced to navigate their lives without them. And so, we also honour and acknowledge the children, families, friends, and loved ones of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG).
Indigenous people likely affected by COVID-19 at disproportionate rate in Thunder Bay, but no clear data cbc.ca - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from cbc.ca Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
From popped wild rice to fried bannock, the virtual sharing of food on Friday brought people together for an open discussion on mental health.
The Ontario Native Women’s Association celebrated an open discussion about mental health with Feeding Our Spirits – Indigenous Traditional Food and Open Fire Cooking with Audrey DeRoy.
As an ONWA land-based coordinator, DeRoy led an afternoon of cooking over an open fire, discussing food, vitamins, and practices of nibwaakaawin (wisdom).
DeRoy emphasized the practice of nibwaakaawin and how it carries through cherishing knowledge and is given by Creator to be used for the good of the people.
Ontario Native Women’s Association is using its platform to share and connect.Ontario Native Women’s Association
COVID-19 has brought on many challenges that have forced us to adapt. One of the challenges is facing mental health without the distractions the world gave us before it all began.
On Thursday, the Ontario Native Women’s Association hosted a virtual COVID-19 Experience Montage that allowed anyone to share their struggles and what they’ve learned over the past year.
Niemi Himes and Audrey DeRoy hosted the montage and gave beautiful welcoming statements and then opened the (virtual) floor for anyone to share how they’ve been feeling and coping.
Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) is full steam ahead with events for Mental Health Week.
With high percentages of Indigenous persons reporting worsening mental health since the start of Covid-19, specifically Indigenous women with 46 per cent experiencing more stressful days and 48 per cent experiencing symptoms consistent with moderate or severe generalized anxiety disorder, these events couldn’t come at a better time.
Healing with Creator
On Tuesday Elder Al Hunter, traditional healer and knowledge keeper, hosted a virtual meeting discussing Love and the Importance of the Eagle Feather. He spoke deeply of trusting yourself and the land, allowing for the connection to guide us through hardships we may experience.