Table of Contents
Health and Well-being Sector
Our health sector is designed to assist individuals and families in navigating their journey through different phases of personal growth and family development. These programs focus on fostering physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.
This is achieved through a range of workshops and activities, available in both group and one-on-one settings, which encourage healthy lifestyle choices including nutritious eating, regular physical exercise, and cultivating positive relationships. Each program is grounded in the principles of community support, tradition preservation, and cultural integrity.
Programs
Indigenous Healing and Wellness
At Toronto Council Fire, the Indigenous Health and Wellness Program (IHWP) is central to our mission. It offers culturally-based support specifically designed to nurture the spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical health of the Indigenous community.
The IHWP’s approach is informed by two key understandings:
Many of our community members and clients in Toronto find themselves disconnected from their families and home communities.
The well-being of Aboriginal people is intrinsically linked to activities that reinforce a positive cultural identity. We focus on providing access to traditional counselling, sharing and healing circles, medicine walks, and outings to ceremonial events and cultural gatherings.
Programs and Services
The IHWP has been instrumental in enhancing the well-being of our community members. A significant number of our members, who are residential school survivors or their descendants, have found solace in our weekly healing circles. These gatherings offer a safe space for survivors to share their experiences and embark on their healing journey together.
The demand for traditional craft circles, nature trips, and self-care workshops is high, as these activities have proven to be immensely therapeutic for participants. To ensure inclusivity, we utilize the “Wheel-Trans” service, facilitating access for our senior members who require assistance with transportation to these events.
In addition, we offer specialized abuse prevention programs for seniors. These include access to medication and vital information on substance and elderly abuse. Our team is also actively addressing broader challenges such as food insecurity, housing affordability, and general health issues, including mental health, to support the overall wellness of our community.
Funded by OFIFC
Urban Aboriginal Healthy Living
The Urban Aboriginal Healthy Living program educates community members on nutrition, healthy choices, injury prevention and physical activity, fostering the health and well-being of our community through education and practical support.
Nutritious Meal Preparation: In collaboration with LLCP, we prepare and provide x42 nutritious meals weekly as part of the Meals on Wheels program.
Smoking Cessation Kits: Understanding the challenges of quitting smoking or vaping, UAHLP offers smoking cessation kits. These kits are readily available and can be mailed directly to community members’ homes upon request, offering support and resources for those wishing to quit.
Personalized Nutrition Advice: Expert nutrition advice and guidance are also provided in this program. Community members can reach out with their questions or schedule a virtual or phone appointment for discussing their specific nutrition goals.
The Urban Aboriginal Healthy Living Program is committed to nurturing a healthier, more informed, and active community through these focused services and ongoing support.
Funded by OFIFC
Life Long Care Program
Life Long Care Program (LLCP) services urban Indigenous people of all ages who are disabled, chronically ill, frail, elderly, or require acute/chronic continuum of care. The LLCP adopts a holistic approach to community support services, enhancing and improving the quality of life for clients. This allows them to live independently in their community. Additionally, the Life Long Care Program strives to ensure quality care and appropriate support systems for caregivers.
Transportation: This service provides clients with transportation to attend medical appointments and various social/recreational programs offered by the LLCP. The mode of transportation can vary.
Friendly Visiting: These visits can occur at the client’s home, Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and social and cultural events. Activities during visits may include assisting clients with shopping, banking services, picking up medications, going for walks, and more. The duration and nature of each visit are tailored to the individual client’s needs.
Security Checks: This service involves regular telephone calls to clients to ensure their safety and well-being.
Aboriginal Support Services: This service offers clients information and referral services, advocacy, medical escorts, translation services, assistance with filling out forms and applications, accessing mainstream agency services, and assistance with funerals and wakes. It also includes accessing traditional healers and elders and making telephone calls on behalf of clients.
Congregate Dining Services: This service provides clients with opportunities to socialize, encouraging the elderly to leave their homes and enjoy nutritious meals. Additionally, it offers education through presentations on health and wellness topics. Events may include dinner and movie nights, Moccasin Trail outings, bingo, art therapy, and other special events.
Meals on Wheels/Food Box Delivery: The LLCP offers a food delivery service for clients who have mobility issues or other concerns that restrict their ability to pick up food hampers from food banks or visit grocery stores, such as anxiety and chronic pain. Currently, we are serving 40 active program clients on a weekly basis.
Funded by OFIFC
Kizhaay Anishinaabe Niin
Kizhaay Anishinaabe Niin, an Ojibway phrase meaning “I Am a Kind Man,” is an initiative aimed at involving Aboriginal men and youth in vital discussions and actions to understand and end violence against Aboriginal women.
This program embodies the wisdom of the Seven Grandfather Teachings – wisdom, love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility, and truth. Its core goal is to empower Aboriginal youth and men, equipping them to actively speak out against violence towards women and offering education on issues of abuse.
KAN supports healthy relationships and Aboriginal identities through one-to-one or group-based services, participant-based and public awareness activities, networking and partnership building.
Our programs and services include:
- One-to-One Peer Counselling
- Service Navigation
- Individual Advocacy Support
- Justice-Related
- Individual Supports
- Individual and Family Support
- Individual Traditional Teachings
- Referrals to Other Friendship Centres
- One-to-one supports
- Group-Based Services
- Participant-Based Activities
- Networking and Partnership Building
- Public Awareness
Funded by OFIFC