N’Swakamok Friendship Centre

1. Their Vision

1.1. As seen on the N’Swakamok friendship centre website is “a wholistic, healthy indigenous community centre which promotes culture, language and well-being in a balanced way”

2. What services/programs for Ontario students and their families?

2.1. N'Swakamok Alternative School: create an educational environment that is sensitive to the needs of aboriginal students

2.2. Apatisiwin Employment and Training Program: assist aboringinal people to identify and secure employment options

2.3. Translation Program & Healing and Wellness Program : working with health professionals to ensure more effective and efficient service.

2.4. Life Long Care Program: provide the supports and services necessary to live a long and fulfilling life

2.5. CCAY Program (Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth): encouraging youth to take a holistic approach to their life planning and preparation

2.6. Aboriginal Family Support Program: providing assistance for children 0-6. Promoting nutrition, health, education on child rearing, provide social/recreational involvement, and to help refer individuals to community services

2.7. Aboriginal Prenatal Nutrition Program: educate, encourage and support women to enhance their physical, emotional, spiritual and mental well being.

2.8. Aboriginal Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program: improve the quality of life for urban Aboriginal children by promoting optimum physical, cognitive, communicative and social development skills for at risk Aboriginal children age 0-6.

2.9. Aboriginal Children's Wellness Strategy Program: Providing activities to help Aboriginal youth achieve wellness and balance in a supportive and fun environment.

2.10. Akwe:Go Program: for at risk aboriginal children between the ages of 7-12. The program takes a holistic approach and incorporates the four aspects of the medicine wheel (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual) into the program to promote a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

2.11. Wasa-Nabin Program: providing culturally appropriate services and programs for ages 13-18.

2.12. Community Support Program: overall program delivery when it comes to childrens nutrition.

3. How are services/programs accessed?

3.1. All of these programs can be accessed through the friendship centre. They also have direct contact information for each program on the friendship centre website. N'Swakamok Native Friendship Centre

4. Other Pertinent Information

4.1. The friendship centre works collaboratively with the Rainbow District School Board schools to provide teaching and events in your classroom or school.

5. Their Goals

5.1. They are committed to: - preserving language and culture - enhancing quality of life - empowering family and community by providing supports, services and partnerships for the Aboriginal community in urban settings. - finding a medium for the meeting of native and non-native people and develop a mutual understanding through common activities - to assist and encourage the study of native needs

6. How does the agency address equity, inclusion and awareness of cultural diversity?

6.1. As stated on their website, "The mission of the N'Swakamok Alternative School is to create a comfortable, educational environment that is sensitive to the needs of Aboriginal students. All areas of life (emotional, intellectual, physical, spiritual) are addressed so that the student can become an active member in the community and obtain a secondary school graduate diploma and integrate into the career world."