Niigaaniin Services provides staff with a monthly Speaker Series to help the staff members better understand how we got to where we are today. These sessions are open to community members and are a fun way to learn about traditional medicines, Anishinaabemwin, legends, stories, Treaties, and more! At the same time, this is also helping our staff better understand our indigenous culture and history.

All of our speaker series are open to community members. If you’re interested, please reach out to [email protected] and follow our Facebook and Instagram pages!

https://www.facebook.com/niigaaniin/

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https://www.niigaaniin.com/

https://www.koognaasewin.com/

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Niigaaniin Services is making strides to further help Community Members by providing services that don’t exist. We saw an increase in services needed for Community Members during the COVID-19 pandemic and made it a priority to integrate them into our organization. We are now seeing positive changes in surrounding communities. It is only the beginning of moving forward in a good way.

Staggering Statistics:

• In 2007/2008, indigenous adults in custody were 21% of provincial admissions and 20% in federal custody. In 2017/2018, these percentages rose to 30% in provincial admissions and 29% in federal custody. 
• Indigenous women are the fastest-rising prison population in Canada. Indigenous women in prison rose 66% from 2007/2008 to 2017/2018.
• Indigenous men in prison increased by 28% from 2007/2008 to 2017/2018.
• The number of Indigenous Youth in correction services in 2007 was 26% and rose to 43% in 2017-2018.

Source:

https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/jr/jf-pf/2019/may01.html

If you are interested in our services and support, you can self-referral and reach out to [email protected] 

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Warning this episode includes triggering topics. The Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line 24/7: 1 800-721-0066.

It's been a little over a year since the 215 unmarked children's grave sites were discovered at Kamloops residential school, and we wanted to touch back on this important topic. Since then, there are now 1,800+ unmarked gravesites, and the narrative has changed from being a central focus in media channels to being out of sight and out of mind. In this episode, Jessica Shonias and Robyn Recollet talk about our lost culture and the connection to the present day.

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It has been a little over a year since language classes have been offered to Niigaaniin staff. In this episode, host and language teacher Jessica Shonias checks back in on language initiatives happening at Niigaaniin. At the same time, cohost Kerri Commanda shares her firsthand experiences as a language learner at Niigaaniin. Together as learners and teachers, our hosts let us in on our efforts, hopes and dreams when it comes to revitalizing Anishinaabe language and culture.
 
Staff partake in weekly language classes at work and have the opportunity to participate in a staff immersion that occurs every season—interested in attending a similar program? Eshki-nishnaabemig offers similar programming for adults. For more information, you can visit their Facebook page. 
 
To hear about the Tedx Talk Jessica was referencing, go to this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a6vVIdQBd0&t=605s

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In this episode, Waub joins Kerri and Jessica to speak his truth about his journey to being who he is today, both personally and professionally. Waubgeshig Rice is from Wasauksing First Nation and is a national best selling author whose publications include:

• Midnight Sweatlodge, 2011
• Legacy, 2014
• Moon of the Crusted Snow, 2018

The French version of Moon of the Crescent Snow is coming out soon. Waub is currently working on his Part 2, Moon of the Turning Leaves. He plans to release this in May 2023. 

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Food security has a different meaning to everyone. In this week's episode, Sonya Cloutier joins Kerri and Jessica to talk about several food security initiatives that are happening right now in the RHW. In addition, Sonya shares some helpful ways we contribute to our food security on a personal and community level. 

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Do you ever wonder why you or a loved one can't overcome an addiction? In this week's episode, Aaniish Naa Manager - Dorothy Coad joins us to talk about the stages of addiction and the pathways to recovery in the Niigaaniin Services Endaayaan Endazhi-takookiiyaan program. 

This episode is part 2. Listen to the previous episode - Part 1 if you haven't already!

Email [email protected] if you want to talk to one of our GeNaadMoWit's. We are always here to help you.

 To stay up to date, follow & like our social media pages!

https://www.facebook.com/niigaaniin/
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https://www.niigaaniin.com/
https://www.enjimaawinjidiyaang.com/
https://www.koognaasewin.com/

Do you ever wonder why you or a loved one can't overcome an addiction? In this week's episode, Aaniish Naa Manager - Dorothy Coad joins us to talk about the stages of addiction and the pathways to recovery in the Niigaaniin Services Endaayaan Endazhi-takookiiyaan program. 

This is part 1 of this episode. Part 2 will be released next week! 

Email [email protected] if you want to talk to one of our GeNaadMoWit's. We are always here to help you. 

 To stay up to date, follow & like our social media pages!

https://www.facebook.com/niigaaniin/
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https://www.niigaaniin.com/
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https://www.koognaasewin.com/

What if we told the story of colonization from an indigenous perspective? From the perspective of the land? How would that influence how we co-exist with nature? The truth is, Turtle Island has been taken, extracted, and used for the benefit of money rather than the way indigenous people used to co-exist with mother earth before colonization.

Join Dr. Tim MacNeill and Kerri Commanda in this episode to discuss how we got here and how we move forward.

Dr. Tim MacNeill is Senior Teaching Professor of Political Science and Director of Sustainability Studies at Ontario Tech University. He has worked with indigenous communities all over the Americas for over 15 years in research for economic, social, and environmental justice.

Niigaaniin Services, in partnership With Dr. Tim McNeill, Director of Sustainability Studies for the University of Ontario Institute, recently published the journal article "Decolonizing social services through community development: an Anishinaabe experience." This case study was published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Oxford University Press, on August 18th, 2021.

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"When you think about our language, it's alive; it's always moving, it's descriptive, it's old. 
When we talk in the language, we don't have to draw pictures, and we don't have to write things down because when you're telling stories in the language, you can see it in your mind. That's how real it is." - Don Petahtegoose.

It is a time in Anishinaabe culture to tell stories during the winter. Jessica and Duckie join us in this episode to share stories and how stories can positively affect your journey through life. 

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