Indigenous History Month

Honouring National Indigenous History Month:

Supporting Culturally Safe Care at the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre

Indigenous Peoples’ stories, achievements, and enduring resilience continue to shape the fabric of our nation.

June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, a time to honour the cultures, traditions, and experiences of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.

It is also a time to reflect on and condemn Canada’s colonial past, including the many ways our health-care system failed, and continues to fail, Indigenous People. Historical actions driven by systemic racism – such as forced medical experimentation, coerced sterilization, and the denial of traditional medicines – have caused lasting harm, with effects that span generations and continue to create barriers to care, services, and resources today.

Racism, dismissal of concerns, and the denial of cultural protocols are still far too common.

A crucial step toward healing is through the delivery of culturally appropriate and safe care, guided by respect, compassion, and Indigenous ways of knowing. This is the work being done every day by MAHCP members at the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre (AHWC), Manitoba’s only Indigenous-led community health agency serving urban Indigenous People of all ages.

Through a wraparound model of care, AHWC blends traditional healing practices with Western medicine to create a space where clients feel heard, seen, and supported. This approach aligns with Call to Action #22 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada:

“We call upon those who can effect change within the Canadian health-care system to recognize the value of Aboriginal healing practices and use them in the treatment of Aboriginal patients in collaboration with Aboriginal healers and Elders where requested.”

AHWC’s mission is grounded in an Indigenous worldview, honouring the medicine wheel teachings and the interconnectedness of all people and all things. This worldview shapes every part of their approach to care, from primary health services and traditional healing, to advocacy and partnerships that remove systemic barriers and provide community support.

MAHCP members working at AHWC embody these values – offering care that is not only clinically excellent, but also culturally rooted. They work in collaboration with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community organizations to empower clients, heal trauma, and advocate against systemic barriers.

Their work is more than health care. It’s reconciliation in action.

Reconciliation is founded in action. In transforming systems, confronting racism, and supporting Indigenous-led health initiatives. As we reflect on Indigenous History Month, MAHCP acknowledges and celebrates the vital work of allied health professionals who are helping to build a more culturally inclusive, respectful, and safe health care system.

When we centre Indigenous voices and values in health care, everyone benefits.

Culturally appropriate care has a transformative impact, helping Indigenous People feel respected, more likely to seek care, and more open to discussing sensitive or traumatic experiences.

In a national survey conducted in 2024:

The majority of First Nations people living off reserve (86%), Métis (70%) and Inuit (82%) reported that it was very or somewhat important to have health care services that support Indigenous traditional medicines, healing, and wellness practices.

Of those who stated that culturally appropriate services were important:

Almost two-thirds of First Nations people living off reserve (68%), Inuit (67%) and Métis (61%) reported such services would generate for them feelings of respect for their culture, beliefs, and identity.
Roughly half of First Nations people living off reserve (49%) and Inuit (50%) reported that such services would make them more likely to seek health care.
About half of Inuit (48%), 41% of First Nations people living off reserve and 32% of Métis reported that these services would help them feel safer discussing sensitive or traumatic experiences.

Programs and Services at AHWC

Approximately 50 MAHCP members support health-care services and programs rooted in traditional healing, wellness, and wraparound care. Read more about AHWC’s programs below.

Abinotci–Mino Ayawin (Children’s Healing)

This voluntary home visiting program supports Indigenous families in Winnipeg who are expecting a child or have children under the age of six at home.

Focusing on health-care needs of children and their families, this program promotes the healthy development of young children facing challenges like poverty, isolation, substance use, and family violence.

Services include:

Home visits and one-on-one support
Advocacy and goal-setting
Access to traditional resources
Referrals to Indigenous organizations
Support with child custody, housing, income, safety, family planning

Mino-Pimatiziiwin – Men’s Healthy Living Program

This program supports Indigenous men in Winnipeg (age 18+) who want to make positive lifestyle changes, strengthen their roles within their families, and be leaders in their communities.

MHLP provides a variety of services, such as advocacy, support, counselling, as well as access to a Cultural Advisor, resources, and community services.

Indian Residential School – Resolution Health Support Program

This program offers emotional, cultural, and mental health support to former Indian Residential School and Indian Day School students and their families.

Supports include:

Mental health counselling
Emotional and cultural support
Transportation to appointments with Traditional Healers
Referrals to Health Canada-funded services and community resources

Head Start Program

Head Start supports healthy development for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children (ages 3–5) living in Winnipeg’s core areas.

The program includes cultural learning, nutrition, health promotion, and early education through fun, hands-on activities.

Key areas of focus:

Foster the spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and physical growth of each child.
Nurture the role of parents and guardians as primary teachers and caregivers.
Recognize the role of the extended family in teaching and caring for children, and ensure involvement from the broader Indigenous community.
Establishing linkages to other community programs and services.

Ni-Apin Program – Housing First Support

Ni-Apin, meaning “I am sitting at home” in Cree, provides Housing First services to urban Indigenous individuals (age 18+) in Winnipeg who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness – especially those facing barriers like mental health challenges or addictions.

Using a harm reduction, trauma-informed, and culturally grounded approach, Ni-Apin helps participants find permanent housing and build toward a healthier, more stable life.

Highlights

Individualized case plans and home visits
Housing search and advocacy support
One-on-one counselling and referrals
Cultural supports (Elder guidance, sharing and teaching circles)
Food security and access to primary care
Drop-in space with crafts, cultural activities, computers, and social connection

InSight Mentoring Program

InSight is a voluntary, three-year outreach program for Indigenous women in Winnipeg who are pregnant or have a baby under 12 months old, and who are living with addiction or other complex life challenges.

Mentors offer intensive, one-on-one support, helping participants connect to community resources, set personal goals, and care for themselves and their babies.

Supports include:

Referrals to addiction and health services
Help with prenatal, infant care, and family planning
Support around child custody, housing, and income
Advocacy and goal-setting assistance

Primary Care & Mobile Clinics

Primary Care Clinic

The AHWC Primary Care Clinic provides holistic, culturally safe health care for Winnipeg’s urban Indigenous community. Grounded in traditional and contemporary healing, care is delivered with compassion, respect, and a trauma-informed, harm-reduction approach.

Care team includes: physicians, nurses, dietitian, foot care nurse, cultural advisor, social support counsellor, and community health workers.

Traditional Healing
A Cultural Advisor is available to meet with constituents for advice and counselling related to traditional and spiritual healing. The Cultural Advisor provides holistic care in areas of ceremonies, spiritual advice, and counselling. They also act to connect constituents to other traditional healers as needed.

Primary Care
Primary Care services are offered with a holistic approach, following the Medicine Wheel, to address constituents’ physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional wellbeing.

Health Community Care
Community Health Workers and nursing staff operate outreach programming that focuses on promoting health and wellness, and preventing disease.

Mobile Healthcare and Wellness Clinic

The Mobile Clinic brings a multi-disciplinary health-care team directly to individuals facing barriers to care, many of whom are experiencing homelessness or living in deep poverty.

Care team includes: physician, nurse, crisis counsellor, PEERS, Indigenous social planner, medical office assistant, director of mobile health-care clinic.

The Mobile Clinic visits encampments, shelters, and high-need areas to provide immediate and ongoing care, such as primary health services, counselling, and harm reduction supports. They also help connect people to broader community services and long-term care.

Services offered:

Wound care and treatment for minor injuries
STBBI testing and treatment, limited lab services
Prescription renewal and regular check-ups
Health promotion and education
Mental health counselling and resourcing
Referrals to other health specialists