Honouring Indigenous Health: ONWA’s World Health Day Tea Talk on ‘Healthy Beginnings and Hopeful Futures’

Thunder Bay, ON – April 7 is recognized globally as World Health Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about pressing health issues and advocating for accessible, equitable healthcare for all. This year, the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) is proud to host a virtual Tea Talk, speaking to Indigenous perspectives on health and wellness.

ONWA is honoured to welcome Traditional Knowledge Keeper Laura Calmwind and ONWA’s Land-Based Coordinator Laura Parise. Over tea, they will share invaluable knowledge on the intricate relationship between water and life cycles, as well as the significance of mentorship in childhood and parenthood.

Indigenous women hold inherent knowledge about wellness and healing for themselves, their families, and their communities. However, they continue to face significant health inequities and systemic barriers to accessing culturally appropriate and trauma-informed care. Ontario’s healthcare systems must take action to ensure Indigenous women receive prompt, safe, and gender-based services across the continuum of care. Indigenous women-led health services are the safest and most effective for Indigenous women and their families and must be prioritized as a wise practice.

ONWA remains dedicated to advocating for Indigenous women’s health by developing, promoting, and enhancing programs that integrate Indigenous perspectives on holistic wellness. We encourage Indigenous women to lead the conversation on health advocacy and for all community members to take action in addressing health inequities. This includes asking critical questions about personal and community wellness, reclaiming traditional ways of healing, and ensuring access to vital healthcare services

We warmly invite you to join us for this important discussion. Together, let’s explore ways to nurture our communities and uplift each other on the journey toward better health and empowerment. To register, please visit: https://forms.office.com/r/Fvk20PK1Bu

Currently, Ontario is experiencing a concerning rise in measles cases. By taking preventative action, we can protect ourselves and our loved ones. For more information on health-related topics such as measles, please contact the Mindimooyenh Health Clinic at 807-697-1753 or visit https://www.onwa.ca/health.

For more information and media inquiries, contact: 

Andre Morriseau, Communications Manager

Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA)

Email: amorriseau@onwa.ca

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