On Wednesday, May 24, 2023, staff from the Health System Transformation and Indigenous Cultural Safety teams at the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council (IPHCC) attended the City & District of Thunder Bay Ontario Health Team’s naming ceremony at the Anemki Wajiw in Fort William First Nation. The OHT gathered partners and community members to formalize and celebrate their partnership, and to reveal their new name: Noojmawing Sookatagaing Healing Working Together Ontario Health Team (phonetic pronunciation: Noo–J–ma–wing Soo–ka–tay–ga-ing). This name showcases the collaboration that is being undertaken by communities and partner organizations to ensure the enhancement of health for all community members.
The naming ceremony began with an opening pray and welcome song. Michael Pelletier, CEO and community member of Fort William First Nation, welcomed everyone to Anemki Wajiw (Mount McKay). Elder Jim Mishquart shared a song and explained the meaning behind the many words in the Ojibway language that connect Indigenous peoples to the stars and to mother earth. His teachings and stories were a source of guidance and explained how the new name reflects the partnerships that are being formed between Indigenous peoples and mainstream partners.
The Noojmawing Sookatagaing Healing Working Together Ontario Health Team is unique in that they are co-governed and committed to ensuring there is at least 50% Indigenous representation on their collaborative decision-making body and governance structure. Natalie Paavola, Director of Health at Dilico Anishinabek Family Care and Co-Chair of the Ontario Health Team said that she appreciated individuals travelling and being at the gathering and highlighted that this signals that those who attended are committed to and truly value the relationship and that this is not just a partnership on paper.
Overall, the ceremony was well attended and provided an opportunity for our non-indigenous partners to participate and experience the traditional teachings, songs, dances, and ceremonies that have been passed on for generations.
The Noojmawing Sookatagaing Healing Working Together Ontario Health Team is a model to other Ontario Health Teams as they are embarking on their own journeys to truly partner with Indigenous communities in an inclusive way. IPHCC would like to extend a warm Chi Miigwetch to Dilico Anishinabek Family Care for the invitation to the ceremony. We value these new partnerships that are being formed and the wonderful work you are doing for the benefit of our families and communities.