ZHIITAAWIN VISION Nda zhiitaamin waamdamaang Waakiiwaadziwin, kina wiya pmiikwind ezhibezhgoaawid bemaajwang  miinwaa ezhi  manitowaadzid. Our vision is a healthy and safe community that nurtures and  maintains the physical, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of all. Maintaining successful programs and launching new services designed specifically to address the needs of the community is the primary mandate of community wellness.

CARING FOR OUR ELDERS

‍Our Elders continue to benefit from home and community care services including personal support (serving an average of 20 Elders/month), homemaking (serving an average of 13/month) and maintenance services (serving an average of 54/month).  Community Wellness Department programs also serve the Elders, for example, arranging for chair yoga, monthly bowling, foot care and youth and elder programs amongst others.  Chair yoga has been suc-cessful with participants reporting improved stability when walking, greater ease in rising from a sitting position, improved blood sugar levels, reductions in aches and pain, and reduced stress.  Residents also benefit from occupational and physiotherapy provided by Maamweysing.  

‍EXPLORING CHRONIC DISEASE

‍Sagamok is part of the Mamow Ahyamowen collaborative which partners with over 70 First Nations, Laurentian University and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences.  59 of First Nation partners collaborated in a study that explored the chronic diseases of their member-ship at the time of their death.  The study demonstrated many of our membership die before the age of 65 and that many have more than one chronic disease at the time of their deaths. The Department has initiated a process of review to identify what actions each of the depart-mental teams can initiate to address these alarming results.

‍INCORPORATING MORE ANISHINAABEMOWIN

‍Anishnabemowin is a priority in Sagamok.  The Community Wellness Department has taken a small step to making the language more visible by engaging an elder to translate the vision, mission and social determinants of well-being into the language.  The department has also engaged a graphic designer to design banner ups of these statements in both Anishnabemowin and English.

‍NURTURING OUR CHILDREN AND YOUTH

‍The Children and Youth Program continued to offer many cultural awareness and traditional teaching programs for our children and youth.  Teachings included Strawberry Moon Teachings, Full Moon Ceremonies, Drum Making and Feasting the Drum, Medicine Pouches, Beading, Sweat Lodge, Ribbon Shirt and Skirt Making, as well as land-based activities such as traditional hunting and fishing activities.  These cultural programs help our children and youth to build self-esteem, confidence and pride in their identities as Anishnawbek.

‍FITNESS AS A KEY COMPONENT TO PHYSICAL WELLNESS

‍This year saw an increase in physical wellness programs geared to children and youth.  Yoga was introduced to teach the importance of physical and mental health.  There are many benefits to yoga, such as building strength, flexibility and mind body awareness.  Yoga was delivered at the Daycare.  Sessions were also held in the evenings for children and their parents to participate as a family.  

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