The Indigenous Ministry Office, under the Diocese of Thunder Bay, plays a vital role in supporting the Indigenous population in the Thunder Bay area and its surrounding communities. The Office manages programs such as monthly Healing Circles for Residential School Survivors and an Elders Council to the Bishop that meets regularly to discuss how to assist community members in the Diocese.
In many Indigenous communities, there is growing worry about the loss of the sacred connection achieved through the shared practice of learning traditional crafts. A ribbon dress and shirt making class in Thunder Bay looks to restore cultural values through the art of crafting.
To help facilitate healing from the trauma and memories associated with the Residential School system, St. Kateri Church, one of the community's four churches, is hosting the "Healing the Child Within" program. The event is a gathering for Indigenous people, providing a platform for prayer and a safe space for Elders and Youth to connect. Participants share stories, engage in prayer for healing, and foster a stronger sense of community
The Ontario Native Women's Association (ONWA) is strengthening their community-responsive programming. These initiatives focus on supporting Indigenous women's wellness and fostering healing through honouring and sharing spiritual teachings and traditional land-based ceremonial practices.
Wigwamen Incorporated, Ontario's oldest urban Indigenous housing provider, is addressing this critical issue through its Family and Seniors Housing portfolio in Toronto. Wigwamen Terrace, one of the organization's longstanding buildings, is home to 127 residents, 95% of whom are First Nation, Métis, or Inuit.
Teach For Canada-Gakinaamaage steps into this educational gap by collaborating with remote Nations to recruit dedicated teachers, offering community-focused training, and providing comprehensive support.
Designed to address the disconnect between urban Indigenous youth and their cultural roots, the Culture Camps have hosted young campers every year in July and August for over 30 years. Camps are taking place in Clarendon Station on the traditional territory of the Anishinabewaki, Treaty 27, and have become communal gathering spaces for learning, traditional ceremonies, and recreational activities.
Funding from the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF) will support Every Parent Matters, one of the many programs facilitated by the Mission. It is a listening circle with guidance by Elder Dr. Bob Philips that offers a space for people to grieve and help cope with the loss of a child.
Giiwedin Anang, meaning North Star in Anishinaabemoin, guides Indigenous families through the complex web of child welfare disputes. The essence of Giiwedin Anang lies in recognizing that true healing and reconciliation cannot happen if Indigenous children continue to be disproportionately removed from their families and communities.
In many Nunavut communities, resources and support are scarce, compounding the challenges faced by grieving families. Isaksimagit Inuusirmi Katujjiqatigiit ("Embrace Life Council") has taken on the initiative of assembling and distributing Grief Care Packages as a way to connect with families to show compassion and empathy and offer much needed support after a tragic loss.
