Traditional Healing Program

What is the traditional healing program?

The program offers a variety of services with traditional and cultural healing options, focusing on the mind, body, and spirit of the person. The Traditional Healing Program (THP) exists to support WAHA community members and their families, with emphasis on serving those who are surviving residential school members, or family members of survivors.

Locations

WAHA’s Traditional Healing Program is offered through the WAHA sites located in Moose Factory, Moosonee, Fort Albany, Kashechewan, Attawapiskat and Peawanuck.

The foundation of the THP is based on:

• “Myipimaatisim” in Cree, which means choosing a healthy life focusing on the mind, body and spirit
• The sacred teachings: Love, Honesty, Truth, Respect, Humility, Bravery and Wisdom
• The medicines of the four directions: Tobacco (East) Eagle, Cedar (South) Deer, Sage (West) Buffalo, Sweet Grass (North) Bear

Traditional Healers and Traditional Counselors

Traditional healers along with traditional counselors travel throughout all of the six communities, conducting ceremonies and providing counseling services for the people. In 2010, 6,848 appointments/interactions were completed by persons utilizing THP services.

The key programs and services of the THP are:

• Providing counseling to individuals, youth, couples, families and community groups
• Counseling services for addictions, grief, sense of cultural loss, personal crisis situations and suicidal ideations
• Healing for residential school survivors and family members
• Various ceremonies which include the rites of passage, sweatlodges, shaketents and seasonal ceremonies
• Traditional Cree knowledge recovery through traditional medicines

To register for THP programs, please contact:

WAHA’s Traditional Healing Program Manager

Stella Schimmens
(705) 658-4544 ext. 2605
stella.schimmens@weeneebaykohealth.ca