Page 69 - Walking_The_Red_Road

Our Vision: Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre
In the community’s vision, all aspects of the continuum of care would be available, accessible,
culturally safe, holistic and supportive.
For the participants, the centre would offer: “connected community,” “seamless accessible service,” “seamless and integrated,” “culturally safe and competent” “Indigenous worldview,” “culturally relevant and responsive,” and “holistic and supportive.” Key actors for bringing about the vision were identified as the “Friendship Centre,” “crisis response workers” and “wellness teams.”
The proposed centre would:
• Respond to the realities of the lives of our Aboriginal community members (including addressing multiple issues across many domains, historical and current).
• Serve as an accessible and welcoming setting designed to promote Aboriginal health by offering a range of supports, services and opportunities to help build community and increase comfort for people of all ages.
• Support a seamless, coordinated and holistic approach to the mental health, addictions and overall health needs of our Urban Aboriginal community; introduce resources people may wish to use in their journeys.
• Serve as an Aboriginal knowledge and best practice hub; using, teaching and promoting culturally safe practices.
• Serve as a resource for the broader non-aboriginal community.
• Provide information regarding Aboriginal specific resources, including Elders, medicines, cultural
practices, ceremonies, etc. through a Traditional Cultural Practices Aboriginal Directory and information and training on how to use the directory.
Walking the Red Road | REPORT OF THE URBAN ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES THRIVE PROJECT | 69