Centre Youth Programs

I am presently working with peer support groups in Hamilton and Brantford. I am teaching the young prople about the benefits of practicing holistic health as a form of illness prevention. The peer support gorups are offered at Sanford Avenue School (Wed., 9 – 10:30 am) and Hamilton –Wentworth Detention Centre (Wed., 3-4 pm) in Hamilton. I also provide groups at Pauline Johnson Collegiate (Fridays 12-1 pm) Brantford Collegiate Institue(Thurs., 12-1 pm) in Brantford.

I am working with McMaster Indigenous Studies and Mohawk College to deliver a Role Model and Mentor program for the Native High School youth. A list is already being developed for the young people waiting to participate in this initiative.

The First Nations Sutdent Advisory Council will soon be in place for Hamilton youth. I am just waiting to hear from a few more schools. Leadership training will be a major focus for the youth participants.

A new initiative I am working on for both Hamilton and Brantford youth is a Certified First Aid course in cooperation with the YMCA. If you are interested in signing up for this instruction, give me a call at (905) 544-4320 or in Brantford at (519) 752-4340.

I am thankful to have John Homer workign with me as our Youth Program Coordinator Trainee. Hea has done a fine job sharing his cultural knoledge with the youth and ther service orgnaiztions that the Youth Program is involved with. Until next time, stay alert and be healthy.

Rodger Hill

Onondaga Nation, Eel Clan

Affirmations for Native Caregivers

I open up to the healing energy of the prayers and blessings of my grandfathers and grandmothers and by the mere fact that I was born Ohn gwe ho way, I have already been blessed by the generations that were. I allow the healing prayers of my grandfathers and grandmothers to make me whole again, to clear the clogged, hurting holes in my being, to let their loving blessings comfort and remove the loneliness and feelings of powerlessness accumulated in my physical body throughout my life path here on this earth.

I honour the “Creator” by opening my mind to the way given to my ancestors. Respect was given to me, by them, before I was conceived and my response to that energy on my people now.

I let go of aggravation, anxiety or anger for I do not need them to be who I want to be. A Healer, a Caregiver, a Helper. I release form my being, the hurts I have collected and hung onto from my past.

I see, hear and feel healing, happening in me and around me. I let my protective shell crumble in the warm loving attitude that the “Creator” has for me as my birthright!

Take a chance today

Take a chance today and speak your pain

Healing you will slowly gain

Take a chance today and listen to your heart

The end of your hurt will start

Take a chance to day and want something new

Your failure will be far apart and few

Take a chance today and follow your spirit

Life, happiness, you will feel it

Take a chance today, let go of the anger you hold

A new you will unfold

Take a chance today and dry,,

And after you are done, you will know why

You took a chance today.

Tammy Kahonwakenra North

ADVOCACY

Program

To ensure that Aboriginal People have access to culturally appropriate

health care services and programs.

To promote the empowerment of Aboriginal people in determining their own needs.

To assist Aboriginal People in the areas of education, income, employment,

housing and life skills.

To provide Patient Advocacy services in area hospitals in order to address language barriers, ensure patient and family understands diagnosis & treatment, and accommodate cultural & traditional service requests.

LOBBYING ON BEHALF

OF ABORIGINAL PEOPLE

Lobby mainstream organizations to ensure Aboriginal representation on health related decision-making bodies, policy committees and boards.
Report incidents of discrimination to appropriate authorities
Lobby upper tier levels of government (or join lobbying forces) to ensure that the voice of the Aboriginal Community is heard with respect to health policy decisions
Encourage mainstream organizations serving significant Aboriginal populations to hire Aboriginal staff who are familiar with the customs and traditions.

SERVICES

Hospital visits (upon request and by referral)
Assistance on a one to one basis in the areas of housing, financial issues, employment/training, education, and life skills
Advocate between patient and attending health care provider/social services agency (internally and externally)
Providing legal information (i.e. disability appeals, living wills)
Referrals (internal & external)
Client support & follow-up contacts
Cultural Sensitivity Training/Presentations to mainstream health /social service providers (i.e. Police Department, Nursing Students)

(Currently implementing cultural sensitivity training for hospital staff)

IDENTIFICATION AND

INFORMATION CLINIC

If you or someone you know is having difficulties with

obtaining Medical related information such as:

MEDICAL SERVICES BRANCH (INDIAN STATUS)

Ontario Health Card

Birth Certificates & other identification.

Other medical-related financial assistance information

EVERY WEDNESDAY

1;30 PM TO 4:00 PM

Hamilton Site – 678 Main Street East

(corner of Main St. & Holton St.)

3^rd Floor – Board Room

For more information please contact: Tara Williams,

Advocacy Program Coordinator (905) 544-4320

*There will be workshops, presentations and an Identification & Information Clinic

for the Brantford Site in the New Year!

ADVOCACY SERVICES

ARE AVAILABLE AT:

Brantford Site: Every Monday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Hamilton Site: Tuesday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

If you have any questions, suggestions for workshops

and/or presentations, please feel free to call:

Tara Williams, Advocacy Program Coordinator at the Brantford Site

(519) 753-4340 or Hamilton Site (905) 544-4320

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