
Building Capacity
BUILT ON A STRONG CULTURAL FOUNDATION
Land-based Programming
In connecting and caring for the lands, we learn to care for ourselves. Mother Earth helps us to heal, she helps us to know who we are. In knowing who we are in relation to the land, we become the medicine.

Niibin Camping
Community Development builds on a strong cultural foundation and delivers education and awareness programs across the province to empower communities on issues that affect Indigenous women and their families.
Programs are delivered in two ways: the first being knowledge and information exchange through a Program Coordinator that utilizes a service delivery model to encompass a combination of workshops, education campaigns, and regional activities. The second is by way of a flow-through funding model that delivers direct community member services through ONWA sites, Chapters and partnering organizations based on community need and organizational expertise. ONWA has developed our service structure to reflect the reality of Indigenous women’s lives and works with community to ensure that their needs are being met through capacity building.
Our Community Development Programs
OUR PROGRAMS & SERVICES
DELIVERY SITES
PROVINCIAL | THUNDER BAY
Aboriginal Diabetes Education
This program aims to educate and support communities about the risk of diabetes and diabetes management. This is done through the delivery of diabetes awareness and prevention presentations and workshops; to deliver presentations about gestational diabetes and proper foot and wound care management, to increase awareness of the need for physical activity; and to ensure information given out is age appropriate and culturally sensitive for Indigenous women and their families.
Services Provided: Workshops, Presentations and Training about diabetes that are designed specifically for Indigenous women and their families.
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Prevention and management of diabetes workshops
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Gestational Diabetes information sharing sessions and presentations
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Educational activities about diabetes that are designed specifically for Indigenous women
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Basic Foot Care Information Sessions
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Nutritional educational information and sessions on traditional foods as healthy alternatives
DELIVERY SITES
PROVINCIAL | THUNDER BAY
Aboriginal Responsible Gambling Awareness
This program provides community awareness, education, prevention, and resource development regarding responsible gambling for the benefit of all Indigenous women and their families. The programming focuses on community development using a traditional Indigenous and land-based approach to provide education, identity, self-location, and healing.
Services Provided:
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Educational Workshops, Presentations and Training
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Information and support
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Training and education
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Resource development
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Advocacy and support
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Referrals
DELIVERY SITE:
PROVINCIAL
CHAPTER SITES:
FORT ERIE: NIAGARA CHAPTER OF NATIVE WOMEN | HAMILTON: HAMILTON-WENTWORTH CHAPTER OF NATIVE WOMEN | MIDLAND: GEORGIAN BAY NATIVE WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION | SIOUX LOOKOUT: SUNSET WOMEN'S ABORIGINAL CIRCLE | THUNDER BAY: BEENDIGEN, INC | TORONTO: NATIVE WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTRE OF TORONTO
Breaking Free from Family Violence
EDUCATION & AWARENESS
This program focuses on meeting the unique needs of Indigenous women, their children and families, who are involved with the child welfare system and violence against women sectors. The program supports women in a culturally rooted, wholistic way, so that women are better able to navigate through the complex systems encountered when experiencing violence and involvement in child welfare matters. This program is delivered via ONWA sites and Chapters to build community capacity.
Services Provided:
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Educational Workshops, Presentations and Training
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Crisis management and stabilization of family
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Liaison with service providers
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Traditional and cultural supports through activities and workshops
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Systems navigation and advocacy support
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Education provision for mothers on their rights and responsibilities that promote and facilitate Family Reunifications
DELIVERY SITE:
PROVINCIAL
CHAPTER SITES:
SIOUX LOOKOUT: SUNSET WOMEN'S ABORIGINAL CIRCLE | THUNDER BAY: BEENDIGEN, INC
Community Health Outreach
EDUCATION & AWARENESS
This program is delivered through two ONWA Chapters and builds community capacity in the area of community health and wellness, with the knowledge that if Indigenous women are well, the community is well.
Services Provided:
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Educational Workshops, Presentations and Training
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Health Information and support
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Resource development related to health
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Advocacy and support to youth
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Referrals
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Cultural and traditional activities and workshops
DELIVERY SITES
PROVINCIAL | THUNDER BAY
Ending Violence Against Indigenous Women
EDUCATION & AWARENESS
This program provides vital education, training and tools to empower and support Indigenous women. This program is geared to support Indigenous women’s healing through wholistic and culturally grounded presentations and workshops. The EV Training Coordinator also develops and delivers resources and training programs tailored to educate EVAIW Workers, and front-line service providers across the province with their responsibilities in advocating for Indigenous Women and their families.
Services Provided:
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Educational Workshops, Presentations and Training
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Resource development
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Advocacy and support
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Referrals
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Cultural and traditional activities and workshops