New mental health program for Matawa First Nations aims to improve employability

A new program is being delivered in northern Ontario's nine Matawa First Nations with the aim of improving people's mental well-being, thus increasing their chances of finding employment and staying employed. 

The program is called Mino-Ayaawin Maamawi, which means Leading in Health and Wellness Together. It's being run by Kiikenomaga Kikenjigewen Employment and Training Services (KKETS), which services the Matawa communities of Aroland, Constance Lake, Eabametoong, Ginoogaming, Marten Falls, Neskantaga, Nibinamik, Webequie and Long Lake #58 First Nations. 

David Neegan, executive director of KKETS, said one of the main components of the program is to help people deal with trauma.

"What a lot of people don't recognize in terms of unresolved trauma is that it really affects the employability of the individuals," Neegan told CBC Thunder Bay.

"What's happening [with] people who suffered something as horrific as rape, for example … it could be anything that would trigger that. It could be a name, it could be a picture, it could be a sound, it could be a song."

He said once those individuals are triggered, this usually leads to an "unhealthy response" that in turn affects the employability of the individual. 

What a lot of people don't recognize in terms of unresolved trauma is that it really affects the employability of the individuals.​​​​​- David Neegan, executive director of KKETS

Neegan said the KKETS program has designed positive responses to the particular memory that triggers individuals, to change the way they respond in those situations.

"From there, we're looking to basically increase the employability by focusing on the individual's mental health," Neegan said.

Pilot research shows promising results

Anita Vaillancourt of Lakehead University and Lana Ray of Athabasca University are leading research on the program alongside KKETS research manager Tahshiina Cheechoo. While a pilot study has already been conducted, they will be collecting information about the program's progress, which is hoped to be shared with other First Nations across Canada.

Giving an overview of the program, Vaillancourt, an assistant professor of social work at Lakehead, said research has shown that there is a direct link between the trauma that Indigenous people experienced historically through colonization and on an ongoing basis "because of persistent racism," and this has a negative impact on health. 

"Our work around this mindfulness project is very much evidence-based and it's so much more than that. It's a state of intentional awareness through regaining of control over one's thoughts, which can be highly intrusive for people who experience trauma," Vaillancourt said.

"Often, they're unwanted physical sensations that represent the trauma directly. And so it's being able to control these things, regain control over our minds, our thoughts and our body sensations and regaining that connection to Mother Earth, which is a big part of land-based healing that needs to happen."

The two-year project received a boost of $392,800 from TD Bank on Wednesday. A news release from KKETS said the funding will support the delivery of workshops, one-on-one support services, community-based research, and culturally appropriate healing activities that respond to the unique needs of Indigenous individuals living in northwestern Ontario.

Allison Nunes, a district vice-president at TD, said KKETS does "incredible work," while noting that there's a lot more that needs to be done on "our collective journey toward truth and reconciliation." 

She said the bank is happy to support community initiatives that promote a connection to land, enhance financial literacy and foster a sense of belonging.

Support is available for anyone who has been sexually assaulted or who is affected by this reports through crisis lines and local support services. ​​If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.

Northwestern Ontario resources:

• Fay Peterson House, Thunder Bay: Call 807-345-0450 or text 807-700-5011 for 24/7 crisis counsellors, information and referrals for women and girls roughly 16+. Also offers 20 weeks of free counselling for survivors of any kind of sexual violence. 
• Kenora Sexual Assault Centre: Call 1-800-565-6161 for 24/7 crisis line. In-person drop in at the Centre Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre - Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centre: Call (807) 684-6751 for health services and consultation for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. Phones staffed Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Services also available after hours in the emergency department. 

Ontario-wide resources: 

• Beendigen Talk4Healing: Indigenous women can call or text 1-855-554-HEAL for 24/7 crisis support and resources through talk, text and live online chat. Support available in 14 Indigenous languages including Anishinaabemowin, Oji-Cree, Cree and Inuktitut. 
• Support Services for male survivors of sexual abuse: Call 866-887-0015 for 24/7 multilingual support service for male survivors of sexual abuse, both recent and historical.

Canada-wide resources: 

• Assaulted Women's Helpline: 1-866-863-0511 for 24/7 free, anonymous crisis counselling, info and support available.