MANITOULIN—Mnaamodzawin Health Services is taking even greater strides to being an organization that meets the needs of all its clients, thanks to funding procured from Indigenous Services Canada to hire staff to support the 2SLGBTQ+ community of Mnidoo Mnising.
Executive Director Craig Abotossaway was also keen to share the good news that Mnaamodzawin would be taking the reins on Pride Manitoulin beginning next year. Sarah Seabrook of Mindemoya has been the chief organizer of the Manitoulin Pride Week each year in August since its inception in 2017.
“We accessed funding for a nurse educator, mental health counsellor, activities coordinator and two-spirit elder to join our traditional services team,” Mr. Abotossaway told The Expositor. “They are positions for those clients who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.” Almost all the positions have already been filled.
“Mnaamodzawin is a growing service agency that is striving to meet the needs of all members of our communities,” the executive director added. “We’re quite excited to see this expansion of the diversity of services Mnaamodzawin offers.”
This year’s Pride Manitoulin will see Mnaamodzawin working together with Ms. Seabrook, learning the ropes before taking the event full on in 2024.
“Historically, Mnaamodzawin has played a role and expressed an interest in Pride Manitoulin,” Mr. Abotossaway shared. “It seemed like a logistical step, considering how much Pride has grown, to have an organization take the lead. Sarah has done an amazing job of getting it to this point.” Mr. Abotossaway added that there are exciting things in store for Pride Manitoulin.
