May 24, 2018 – “Aniin, Gimmewan enkewet ikwe. Ketagaunseebee doojiba. Makwa doodem. Hello, my name is Rain Cloud Women, I am from Garden River First Nation and I am from the Bear Clan. What is significant of the Bear Clan is that the mother bear protects her cubs with ferocity. Like the mother bear, the Bear Clan is responsible for protecting their people. In this role, I was always just trying to protect my ‘cubs’. Miigweetch!!
Last night was an evening of information, strategy updates, fine dining and celebration of the front line workers in our community that go that “extra mile” with those affected by substance use. Sault Ste. Marie Drug Strategy honored individuals with an inaugural “Front Line Workers” awards recognition ceremony. The Silver Ribbon is the symbol of awareness of overdose and its effects. Wearing a silver ribbon sends a message of value to each individual being affected by overdose and the stigma and prejudice that comes with it.
I was honoured with a Certificate of Recognition for “Going the Extra Mile. Miigwetch to everyone who supported me in the Aboriginal Housing Based Case Manager role and helped me to ensure that Indigenous individuals were receiving the best care and support they can. Even if you were there just to listen to me. Many Miigs!!!” – Kristy Jones, OAHS Indigenous Tenant Support Supervisor
Sault Ste. Marie Safe Communities Partnership is the umbrella organization for injury prevention interests and initiatives in Sault Ste. Marie. Their mission is to make Sault Ste. Marie the safest place in the world in which to live, learn, work, and play, by creating a culture instilled with safety, education and commitment to injury prevention.
About OAHS
Founded in 1994, Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services provides safe and affordable housing to urban and rural First Nation, Inuit and Métis people in Ontario. Our vision is to lead the design, development and delivery of a sustainable and culturally-appropriate continuum of housing. We are governed by representatives from three Indigenous organizations in Ontario – the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres, Ontario Native Women’s Association, and the Métis Nation of Ontario.