THUNDER BAY – The province and First Nations are working together on solving some of the serious issues facing youth in both remote northern communities and in urban communities across Ontario. $6.25 million in annualized funding to selected agencies to hire more than 80 Aboriginal Mental Health and Addiction workers across the province has been committed to by the province.
Ontario is investing $375,000 annually for mental health and addictions workers in Ring of Fire communities. Through the Comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions Strategy, these new workers will provide counseling, individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, and a range of traditional health services, including traditional teachings and ceremonies to Eabametoong, Marten Falls, Neskantaga, Nibinamik and Webequie First Nations communities.
“Investments like this one are important to helping ensure our youth have access to high-quality health services. This new support means hiring and training a dedicated mental health and addictions worker who can provide the young people living in our community with counseling, therapy and other critical supports,” said Chief Cornelius Wabasse, of Webequie First Nation.
These workers will provide culturally appropriate direct services to Aboriginal children and youth in high-needs Aboriginal communities, on- and off-reserve with these new investments, 4,000 Aboriginal children and youth in high-needs communities will get the supports they need, as close to home as possible.
One of the goal of the program is helping communities to get ready for the potential economic benefits from ‘The Ring of Fire’. “The Ring of Fire is a tremendous economic development opportunity that would generate new wealth, social benefits and direct and indirect jobs for area First Nations. It’s important that we ensure First Nations in the region have the resources they need to build strong, vibrant and healthy communities. Together, we can ensure Ring of Fire communities benefit fully from natural resource development,” stated Rick Bartolucci, Minister of Northern Development and Mines.
| Agency Name and Location | High Need Communities/First Nations Served | Number of Workers (FTEs) |
| Enaahtig Healing Lodge and Learning (Victoria Harbour) | SimcoeCounty’s urban Aboriginal population, Beausoleil First Nations, Chippewas of Rama First Nations, Durham Region | 4.0 |
| HiawathaFirst Nation/Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiyag Child and Family Services (Hiawatha First Nation) | Beausoleil First Nation Hiawatha First Nation CurveLake First Nation Alderville First Nation Chippawas of Georgina Island First Nation Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation Urban Aboriginals in York Region, Peterborough, City of Kawartha Lakes and Northumberland |
2.5 |
| Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (Toronto) | Toronto | 3.50 |
| Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre (Toronto) | Toronto | 2.0 |
| Anishnawbe Health Toronto(Toronto) | Toronto | 1.0 |
| Aboriginal Legal Services ofToronto (Toronto) | Toronto | 1.0 |
| Mohawks Bay of Quinte (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory) | Aboriginal youth on and off-reserve throughout the region. | 3.65 |
| Ganaan De we O Dis^Yethi Yenahwahse (SOAHAC) (London) | Aamjiwnaang First Nation Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point Chippewas of the Thames First Nation Munsee-Delaware Nation Delaware Nation (Moravian of the Thames) Caldwell First Nation Oneida Nation of the Thames Urban Aboriginal persons from Sarnia, Lambton, London, Middlesex, Oxford, Elgin, Huron and Perth. |
5.0 |
| WalpoleIslandFirst Nation (Wallaceburg) | Walpole Island (Bkejwanong Territory) First Nation and members living off reserve in local area (Wallaceburg/Chatham area) | 1.0 |
| Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation (Cape Croker Reserve) | Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and members living off reserve in local area. | 1.0 |
| Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation (Southampton) | Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation and members living off reserve in local area. | 1.0 |
| CanAm Indian Friendship Centre of Windsor (Windsor) | Essex County. | 1.0 |
| Ogimaawabiitong Kenora Chiefs Advisory (Kenora) | Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishnabek First Nation (GrassyNarrows) Wabaseemoong First Nation (White Dog) | 2.0 |
| Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority(Nodin) (Sioux Lookout) | *Neskantaga First Nation (Landsdowne House) *Nibinamik First Nation (Summer Beaver) *Webequie First Nation *Marten Falls First Nation (Ogoki post) *Eabametoong First Nation (Fort Hope) Aroland First Nation Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (Big Trout Lake) Kasabonika Lake First Nation Sandy Lake First Nation Cat Lake First Nation Mishkeegogamang First Nation (Osbanurgh) Pikangikum First Nation Poplar Hill First Nation * = Ring of Fire community |
11.5 |
| Dilico Anishinabek Family Care (Thunder Bay) | LongLake#58 First Nation Ginoogaming First Nation (Long Lac #77) Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek (Gull Bay) Whitesand First Nation Pic Mobert First Nation Ojibways of Pic River First Nation |
9.0 |
| Noojmowin Teg Health Centre (Little Current) | Whitefish River First Nation Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve M’Chigeeng First Nation | 3.5 |
| Payukotayno: James and Hudson Bay Family Services (Moosenee) | Weenusk (Peawanuk) First Nation Kashechewan First Nation Attawapiskat First Nation Fort Albany First Nation Moosonee Moose Factory |
6.0 |
| Misiway Health Centre (Timmins) | Constance Lake First Nation Wahgoshig First Nation Taykwa Tagamou First Nation Beaverhouse First Nation Matachewan First Nation Timmins |
3.0 |
| Nipissing First Nation (Garden Village) | Henvey Inlet First Nation Dokis First Nation Magnetawan First Nation Shawanaga First Nation Temagami First Nation Wahta Mohawks Moose Deer Point First Nation Nipissing First Nation Wasauksing First Nation |
4.0 |
| North BayIndian Friendship Centre (North Bay) | North Bay and area | 2.0 |
| Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation (Hargersville) | Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation | .5 |
| Six Nations of the Grand River Territory(Ohsweken) | Six Nations of the Grand River Territory | 2.0 |
| Ganohkwasra Family Assault Support Services (Ohsweken) | Six Nations of the Grand River Territory | .5 |
| De dwa da dehs nye>s (Ohsweken) | HamiltonBrantfordSt. Catharines | 2.0 |
| Niagara Regional Native Center (Niagara-on-the-Lake) | Niagara Region | 1.0 |
| Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health (Wabano) | Ottawa | 3.0 |
| Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (Cornwall) | Stormont, Dundas and GlengarryPrescott and Russell | 1.0 |
| Algonquins of Pikwakanagan (Golden Lake) | Renfrew County | 2.0 |
| Peel Aboriginal Network (Mississauga) | Region of Peel Halton Region | 1.75 |
| White Owl Native Ancestry Centre (Kitchener) | Region of Waterloo Wellington CountyDufferin County | 1.9 |
