Nutrition

The Healthy Living Program offers an innovative way to support Aboriginal students in making wise choices in health, wellness and life style. The program nurtures the development of the whole person with initiatives that promote the interconnections of body, mind, emotions, and spirit. Traditional and contemporary knowledge are used in implementing these programs. The Healthy Living Program will be made of three components – The Learning Garden, Aboriginal Bakers Co-op, and Lifestyles for Healthy Living – that will each work collaboratively with the existing infrastructure and programs offered through CAHRD and Neeginan Centre.

Children of the Earth High School is a special place that combines a strong academic focus with an additional emphasis on Indigenous cultural teaching and learning. Our teachers and staff support balanced student learning and growth across physical, academic, social, and spiritual fields. We strive to empower the urban Indigenous youth that make up our student body, and we invite active parent involvement at our school. Our north star goal is to produce graduates that are prepared to contribute their gifts and talents back to their community and to help themselves and others to live a good life. Cultural learning activities are offered daily throughout the year along with monthly and seasonal ceremonies. Students will take part in smudging, medicine harvesting, pipe ceremonies, sweats, feasts, and receive traditional teachings from our school knowledge keepers and community elders. All Children of the Earth students are required to be enrolled in either Cree or Ojibwe language classes for grade 9-12. Reclaiming language is an essential part of reclaiming our identities as Indigenous people and we emphasize this importance with our students through this requirement. Children of the Earth High School has a free breakfast program and lunch program for all students.

Ombigiaawsiwin is a traditional childcare practice program that is provided at our 545 Watt street location. Through this program, parents will have a chance to learn about indigenous teachings that can be later used within their own family. Our group always begins and ends with smudging to welcome positive energy when entering and leaving our parenting group.

The MIA board has long been concerned with the health and wellbeing of long-term Inuit residents, as well as new arrivals. While no specific funding has been secured by MIA to help tackle the serious and complex health and wellbeing issues facing Inuit in Manitoba, we have prioritized a number of objectives related to health and wellbeing for action.

Stepping Forwards’ program objectives are to create a sense of belonging in the Centre and within the community, to provide onsite resources that will bridge the gap to current services, to assist individuals to rediscover their strengths and develop healthier lifestyles, and to offer services that enhance community and social participation.