LITTLE CURRENT—The hall at the Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre was full for the two-day Wellness Conference put on by Mnaamodzawin Health Services Inc. on February 19-20. The theme for this year’s conference, For the Next Generation, was indeed the focus of most of the talks and presentations.
Wednesday’s keynote speaker took this theme especially to heart. Chief Clarence Louie, dedicated to the prosperity of his people, the Osoyoos Indian Band in British Columbia, is a renowned leader, recipient of the Order of Canada and an inductee into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame. “Wellness has to include jobs,” he said. “If you want the smart young people to stay and not head to the big cities, then you need to provide them with well-paying jobs. Educated people want to be paid properly.”
Chief Louie spoke for over an hour, encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit that he so strongly supports among his people at home. “You’ve got to have rules,” he said, “to have a successful life.” A business coach gave him four rules which he continues to live by: 1. Show up on time. 2. Finish what you start. 3. Do what you say you’re going to do. 4. Say please and thank you. In this same vein, he has written a book, ‘Rez Rules,’ a copy of which he signed and gifted to the Executive Director of Mnaamodzawin Health Services, Craig Abotossaway.
Dr. Tara Clapp, a naturopathic doctor for 24 years who has worked with Mnaamodzawin Health Services for three years, spoke about living authentically. She encouraged healthy living, which, by example, will hopefully instill in the youth a balanced and healthy lifestyle as well.
In the afternoon, the Mnaamodzawin Health Services team took some time to tell those in attendance all about the programs and services they provide. Members from each department spoke briefly in the areas of Community Health, Home Care, Mental Health, Meals on Wheels, Healthy Families, Diabetes Prevention and Sex and Gender Diversity. Mnaamodzawin also offers traditional and alternative services with Healers, Naturopathic doctor, Reiki masseuse, and two-spirit Knowledge Keeper, blending, in a unique way, Western and Traditional methods of healing.
The afternoon’s speakers – Jasmine de Fina and Detective Constable Matti Primeau addressed the ever-prevalent issue of human trafficking. Ms. de Fina is the executive director of SafeHope Home and a survivor herself, using her personal experience to focus on a career of educating and supporting survivors, and developing initiatives to combat human trafficking. Her story, in the words of one of the conference attendees, ‘was so difficult to listen to.’ And yet so important to hear.
Thursday’s program had travel complications of scheduled speakers. Marta Hajek, planning to speak on Elder Abuse and Scamming, was unable to get to the conference. Thankfully, Craig Abotossaway stepped in, giving a talk on The Drum. Jeremy St. Onge’s talk on his Big Wild Year—his one-year project of eating only wild foods and writing his results in a Masters dissertation in Kinseology—was bumped from the afternoon to the morning, due to a flight cancellation of Thursday’s key-note speaker, Dr. Sammy Winemaker. Jean Porter and Natalie Lebel’s presentation on Body Image in Children and Youth, was another timely topic specifically addressing the issues of the next generation.
Thursday’s keynote address did not go entirely to plan, but Dr. Winemaker was not to be deterred. When, at the airport, she learned her flight was cancelled, she got home in time to set up a Zoom presentation. And though hit with a few glitches at the start, her talk, based on her years of experience as a palliative care physician, and the book she has co-written with Dr. Hsien Seow, was well received by all present. “Is anyone still there?” she asked at the end of her presentation, and the room erupted in applause. Her book is titled ‘Hope for the Best Plan for the Rest,’ and she discussed the seven keys for navigating a life-changing diagnosis. Everyone at the conference was able to take home a copy of her book, for which a workbook will soon be published.
Throughout both days of the conference, Master of Ceremonies Joey Laford kept the program moving smoothly. There were opening prayers, closing prayers and drum songs to begin and end each day. There were booths situated around the perimeter of the room sponsored by the many complimentary organizations to Mnaamodzawin, i.e. Manitoulin Family Resources, Manitoulin Physio Centre, Kenjgewin Teg’s Early Year’s Initiative, the Responsible Gambling Council, Access and Spark, all offering information, guidance and give-aways. Movement breaks with Kellie were interspersed throughout, as an antidote for all the sitting (and the delicious meals and snacks), and there were Menti Quiz breaks too, all adding to the positive engagement of the participants. The Mnaamodzawin team did a tremendous job running this two-day conference, choosing speakers, topics and activities both relevant, important and necessary in keeping the focus on the next generation.
by Margery Frisch
