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Your Mid-January Update
Boozhoo, <<First Name>>

As we enter the second half of January and the snowbanks continue to grow, your Nokiiwin team has been hard at work preparing for the year ahead! We have plenty of great events and program updates to clear the path forward for the new decade ahead.

Speaking of exciting things to come, please consider this email your invitation to join us for our upcoming open house this Thursday, January 23rd, 2020. Stop by any time between 3:00 and 6:30 PM for dinner and a chance to win some great door prizes. 
Eating at Your Desk
Do you regularly eat at your desk? If so, you’ll want to make sure to “give bacteria the pink slip the next time you desktop dine.”
Here’s how:
  • Thoroughly wash your hands before and after eating. If you can’t get to a sink to wash your hands, use an antibacterial hand cleaner at your desk.
  • Don’t let food sit out for more than two hours before putting it in a refrigerator.
  • Ensure the temperature of workplace refrigerators is below 40º F.
  • Frequently wash reusable lunch totes or insulated bags.
  • Don’t thaw frozen foods on countertops – do so in a refrigerator or microwave instead.
  • Eating leftovers for lunch? Make sure you reheat them to at least 165º F.
Don’t forget: The same food safety tips apply to carry-out and fast food.
 
 Relationship Are Medicine...
a relational response to lateral violance
Dates: January 23 & 24
Times: 9am – 4pm & 9am to noon
Location: TBD
In this 1-½ day session, we invite you to sit in a safe space together to explore and reflect on ways we can strengthen our healing processes through empathy, kindness, self-reflection and self care

This workshop will explore ways to support our relational health and our ability to navigate and bounce back from stressful situations at work and at home.

WORKSHOP OVERVIEW

  • The impacts of colonization and residential school on our relationships
  • Lateral Violence – what is it?
  • The keys to healing and resilience
  • How to care for oneself and others
  • Research in the areas of violence and bullying
  • Culture and ritual as essential for healing, empathy and kindness
Download the Program

ABOUT DENISE FINDLAY, M.Ed., ACC, CPCC

Neufeld Institute Faculty

Denise is a bi-cultural woman and seasoned and dynamic professional with a passion for supporting people to fulfill their potential. Denise has worked in over 120 First Nations communities and organizations throughout Canada, including her own community The Squamish Nation. Although most well known for her pioneering work in the area of Lateral Violence, Denise’s focus is on facilitating personal and community empowerment, development and wellness. Denise specializes in contemplative education, consulting and coaching. She works closely with First Nations’ Health, Child and Family Services, Education, and Leadership and is gifted at facilitating community processes.
Testimonials…what Denise’s clients have to say about her

"As a nurse educator I am always searching for insight and enhancement of relationships and ways of being with clients and self and others. Denise has a unique gift and passion for exploring self and communication as it relates to everything around us. I use her teachings daily and always look forward to more of her dynamic workshops and wisdom! thank you Denise!". 

Shawna Buchholz
Clinical Nurse Educator
First Nations Health Authority 


“It is an honor working with Denise. The UBC Learning circle is better for her contributions. The knowledge she shares, and her generous intuitive spirit, has helped me personally, and supported individuals and communities in ways that move us forward.” 

Leah Walker
Associate Director
Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Health


“The work of Denise Findlay is inclusive of understanding Indigenous knowledge’s which center my own practice as a facilitator of social justice. Being grounded in Indigenous ways is necessary for understanding the trauma and trauma related challenges impacting Indigenous Aboriginal populations across North America. Denise is a superb teacher and team project leader capable of helping in visioning a design and delivery of a product to raise individual, family, and community consciousness leading to what I call “heart centered” results and conclusions.
Last but not least, 
We would like to announce our Mission Slim-Possible Healthy Choices Challenge Grand Prize Winners:
Lindsay Gladu- BNA
Conway Lesperance- Nokiiwin 

 
The Winning Team:
Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek 

Nokiiwin’s Justice Team at work

“Indigenous legal traditions are like a quilt. It is us that have the threads of knowledge. We must start to put them together.” - Marlene Pierre
December was a busy month for Nokiiwin’s Justice team!

We would like to remind all members that Nokiiwin offers public legal education sessions. Just go to Nokiiwin’s website to choose a legal topic that may intertest you and a member from the Justice team will come into your community to share their knowledge with you. We also want members to know that we are available to answer questions you may have about legal aid applications, as well as we are here if you need help filling out the application.

If you are hoping for some legal advice, Nokiiwin’s staff lawyer will be in your community throughout January, check our website for dates or feel free to give us a call at the office.

Nokiiwin is hosting an open-house to engage our members who live off reserve. Mark your calendars for January 23, 2020 and join us for dinner, learn about some of the services Nokiiwin offers and maybe win yourself a door prize!

If you need support please know that Janis Cox, Victim Support Advocate is available by cell phone 24/7 and is completely confidential.

Nokiiwin Tribal Council and Fort William First Nation hosted a Restorative Justice Training Conference in Thunder Bay on December 3-4, 2019. The goals of the conference were to showcase restorative justice programs in the area of criminal diversion for the benefit of Nokiiwin communities to learn from and to develop their own programming. The conference highlighted the working relationship between community based justice programs and the office of the crown attorney and police services. Participants also learned about the history of the Euro-Canadian justice system and how a local Indigenous organization was a trail blazer in the development of restorative justice in the region. The conference was attended by members of Animbiigoo Zaagi’ing Anishinaabek, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek, Fort William First Nation, and Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg as well as key justice personnel and victim services. Thanks to the participants and speakers that made this event a success.
How Are You Celebrating Family Literacy Day?
Are you familiar with Family Literacy Day? Since 1999, schools, libraries, literacy groups and families have all celebrated this awareness initiative that aims to encourage reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family.

We're counting down to the big day on January 27th by sharing 20 literacy tips – one for each day from now until Family Literacy Day.

This year’s theme is “Take 20 in 2020”. Putting aside just 20 minutes a day to do a fun learning activity – whether it’s reading a book, playing a game, following a recipe or singing a song – can have a significant impact on both parent and adults.
Free Family Literacy Day Resources
We are pleased to provide free downloadable resources to promote your activities:

Take 20 activities (illustrated by FLD Honourary Chair Barbara Reid): English  French
 
Event Coordinator's Guide: English  French
 
Activity Sheet: English  French
 
Activity Book: English  French
 
Poster (fillable): English  French

Bookmark: English  French
Register your event!
Please also take a few moments to let us know what you have planned for Family Literacy Day 2020.
 
All events submitted by January 17 will be entered into a draw for a chance to win one of three gift cards to arrive before Family Literacy Day!
Access even more family literacy activities
There are plenty more resources to help celebrate Family Literacy Day! There are more than 75 stories and activities available for free download in five languages at FamilyLiteracyFirst.ca. Here are a few sample activities:
 
Plan your 2020 family budget: English French
 
Finger Puppet Zoo & Song: English  French
 
Get Winston Game: English  French
 
My Family Tree:  English  French

Succeed and practice your budget: English  French
This message comes to you from ABC Life Literacy Canada, a national charitable organization that develops free programming and resources for learners across Canada.
 
We hope you found this information helpful! Please sign-up to receive ABC’s free monthly e-newsletter for future updates.
Climate Change Blurb
Attention to those interested in learning more about climate change! Nokiiwin Tribal Council is one of six Tribal Councils participating in the NRCan BRACE program -Building Regional Adaptation Capacity and Expertise in targeted topic areas to enable adaptation action and enhance climate resilience”, in conjunction with Laurentian University. With this program, Nokiiwin will host workshops, youth engagement activities, and online knowledge networks to allow the sharing of relevant information and educational materials to community members. The overall goal is for communities to utilize the information shared through this program to effectively plan for and adapt to climate related events that may happen in the future. Please “Like” the program Facebook group: “Up North On Climate” to join in on the conversation. For more information on the program, visit www.upnorthonclimate.ca or contact Nokiiwin’s Climate Change Specialist, Erica Tropea, at info@nokiiwin.com

Keep an eye on Nokiiwin newsletter for relevant climate change information in the future!
Nokiiwin Nights a Success & Native Language Classes Starting Soon!
Nokiiwin Nights in Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek (Rocky Bay First Nation) 
Happy New Year! A Nokiiwin Night was held in Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek on Jan. 13. Upcoming nights in Fort William First Nation are January 27 and February 10 and at the Netamisakomik Education Centre on Feb. 26. These nights engage parents and community members, and the main objective is to support parental involvement with the school. The Indigenous Language Initiative fund has been approved and Native Language classes will be held in the Education classroom with Jim Mishquart on Mondays from 5-7 pm (class cancelled on Feb. 17 for Family Day) and in Beardmore on Tuesdays from 6 to 8 PM with Mary Blakely in Aniimbiigoo Zaagi’gan Anishinaabek First Nation Band Office. Language classes will continue to March 31, 2020.
Contact Gloria for More Information
Building Our Vision - FNH Conference 2020
Sponsored delegates should  REGISTER NOW  as space is limited.
 
If you are a sponsored Nokiiwin Community, you are entitled to:
  • two complimentary delegate passes and a discounted rate of $550 for any delegates beyond the first two
  • 50% of your hotel costs for up to 4 nights
  • Meals during the conference (breakfast/lunch Tues, Wed, Thurs and dinner Wed)
Please note travel expenses for sponsored Communities are NOT covered.

Please contact Roger Rozon by email at techservices@nokiiwin.com for more information.
Learning About Recycling in Pic Mobert
The students at Netamisakomik Centre for Education in Pic Mobert First Nation learned about the three R’s: "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle," and the impact they have in caring for the environment and Mother Earth. Students brainstormed how to reduce, reuse, and recycle in their daily lives at home and at school. Pictured is the JK/SK and the Grade 5 class with their favourite piece of recycling from a hands-on recycling sorting activity.

Please contact Erica Tropea at wastemanagement@nokiiwin.com for information on how your school can participate in a waste management workshop.
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Our mailing address is:
Nokiiwin Tribal Council
384 Fort William Road
Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 2Z3

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