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Biboonigiizis | December 2020 Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre

IN THIS ISSUE

• GHAC Staff Update

• Upcoming Community Visits

• 25 Days of Mindfulness

• Welcome NOSM Students 2020

Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre Building Cultural Awareness

1460 Idylwild Drive Fort Frances, ON. P9A 3W1 MJ, Jody and Pam organized a presentation to the providers at

Riverside Healthcare during the month of November to build cultural Phone: (807) 274-3131 awareness. Fax: (807) 274-6280 Lavannah Fox, pictured above, initated the meeting with an opening. www.gizhac.com She is a hand drummer and did a fabulous job.

Cooking at Home with GHAC Community kitchens are a part of three different programs at GHAC. Since COVID 19 restrictions have been in place; we have been replacing them with the take-out bags pictured on the left. The easy to cook meals include every ingredient and the recipe to cook in the comfort of your home. COVID 19 has put many restrictions in place so programs have been implementing a new way of doing things until the restrictions no longer exist. The take-out bags for this day include a lazy lasagna and berry crisp for dessert. Check out our Facebook page for up and coming kitchen demonstrations.

Nurse Practititioner Community Visits

Rainy River : Dec 1 Big Island: Dec 2 Mitaanjigamiing: Dec 3 Nigigoonsiminikaaning: Dec 8 Naicatchewenin: Dec 9

ORDER: DEC 02 Seine River: Dec 10 Onigaming: Dec 15 PICKUP: DEC 16 Lac La Croix: Dec 16

Pickup and ordering is at the Big Grassy: Dec 17 Sunset Country Metis Hall (714 Armit Ave) in Fort Frances.

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STAFF UPDATE

Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre

Boozhoo, my name is Gary Councillor, happily married I’m a member of Naicatchewenin First Nation. I started my employment at Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre on November 16/20 as a Traditional Healing Coordinator to deliver traditional healing programs and to coordinate individuals with traditional healers, elders and traditional methods of healing. I’m really looking forward to working with staff, Elder’s Council of GHAC and the 10 First Nations communities and its partners in the . I can be reached at 274-3131 ext. 243 Chi Miigwetch, keep on, keeping on... A’ho.

Megan Kawulia

Hello there! Not new to the organization but I’m back after taking one year off (mat leave) to hang out with my beautiful baby girl. I am a mother to two; Mia (1) and Corgan (8). I’ve lived in Fort Frances for the majority of my life but was in for 7 years prior to my son being born. Fort Frances is home to beautiful and where I spend the warmers months with family & friends. I love being outdoors, hiking and being in nature as much as I can. I also write this newsletter! You can find me at reception next to Wendy, our Medical Receptionist, at the front entrance if you have any questions or concerns.

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Katelynn Jewell

Hi! My name is Katlynn Jewell, I am a Registered Early Childhood Educator and I am honoured to be joining the Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access team as the Aboriginal FASD/Child Nutrition Worker. I was born and raised in Fort Frances and previously worked with the Rainy River District School Board for the last 6 years. I have 10 years’ experience working with children and families between Child Care and Education centers in our district. I enjoy spending time with my family, travelling, reading and painting. I am very excited to be starting in this new position and look forward to getting to know and work with all of you!

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With MaryJane Kewakundo, Ojibway Medical Translator

Jody Anniin Izhichigewin? What are you doing? Pam Niwiisin I am eating Jody Nigagwe nitaa anishinaabem I’m trying to learn native language Pam Giminotaagozi gi- anishinaabemowin You sound good speaking the language

Jody, Jasmine, Pam and MJ visited Lac La Croix First Nation to introduce Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre’s new program coordinators. Jasmine Nastiuk and Jody Smith, Indigenous Care Coordinators, will be working out of the hospital to connect Indigenous patients to services they may require as outpatients. They are there to help coordinate appointments and ensure no one misses out on any kind of care they may need when they are at home recovering. Their focus will be connecting patients to resources, answering questions patients or family may have all before leaving the hospital. Pictured above: Pam Johnson (Traditional Healing Coordinator & Jody Smith (Indigenous Care Call GHAC for more information and ask for Jasmine or Jody. Coordinator)

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Health Education Program The holidays can be a chaotic and a stressful time for some. It’s important to remember to stay relaxed and do things for yourself you might not normally do to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Check out Health Education’s 25 Days of Mindfulness! Also included is a colouring sheet at the back of the newsletter.

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Aurinjoy Gupta Scott Zablotny

I spent the majority of my life in Thunder I was born and raised in , but Bay. I completed my Bachelor’s Degree in completed my undergraduate degree at Medical Sciences at Dalhousie University the University of Ottawa in Biomedical prior to starting at NOSM. I minored in Science. I'm very happy to be back in computer science, and I still enjoy several Northern for my medical degree. hobbies related to technology (programming, 3D printing). I play violin I’m excited to have my virtual placement and piano, and music is a big part of my with the Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access life. Centre. I’m looking forward to learning about the culture of the surrounding area I look forward to meeting you all during our and I'm grateful for the adjustments that virtual placement! were made in order to make this happen despite the constraints of the pandemic.

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GHAC MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

If you would like to subscribe to GHAC NEWS; contact Megan Kawulia at Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access

Centre.

GHAC will be closed:

rd December 23 , 2020. EMAIL: [email protected]

We will open our regular hours on:

January 04th, 2021. Gizhewaadiziwin Heath Access Centre: (807) 274-3131

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