These online sessions provide a safe and encouraging space for Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals to explore the Ojibwe language at a beginner level. Language Instructor, Mitch Akerman, will guide participants through various Ojibwe language lessons including how to introduce yourself, learning the alphabet and pronunciation, nouns, basic sentence structure, and asking and answering simple questions. This program is ideal for aspiring or novice language learners of any age.

This weekly support program for low income, pregnant women, mothers and their children (up to 36 months), provides nutritional, health, breastfeeding and parenting support. Free prenatal vitamins, groceries gift cards and community resources are also provided.

Join Physiotherapist, Renée Scruton every Wednesday for her popular Choose to Move classes! She’ll take you through a gentle exercise program designed to work on overall strengthening while focusing on improving your core, posture and balance. These sessions are ideal for older adults who are interested in staying physically active during the pandemic from the comfort of their home!

This 8-week online group is for new moms who are experiencing mood changes after having a baby. It is led by Chigamik’s Indigenous Perinatal Mental Health Worker and provides a safe space to meet other parents who are also experiencing mood changes, such as anxiety or depression. This program follows Indigenous teachings related to creating a circle of support. The group will discuss coping and self-care strategies including:

• Education surrounding the various mood disorders, exploring the signs and symptoms
• Understanding imbalances through the use of the medicine wheel and support in developing a wellness framework
• Development of a wellness model to further support your relationships and assist in coping through difficult emotions
• Development of coping strategies and self-care strategies and understanding of the importance of self-care

This 6-week online support group invites families who have lost a baby through miscarriage, termination, stillbirth, as an infant, or struggling with repeated losses associated with infertility, to connect and share their grief journeys. Families will explore grief, and learn about healthy grieving practices. The group facilitators hope to establish a caring and open environment for families to share and express their own unique encounters with grief. The group can also offer the opportunity for continued memorialization and reflection of grief, and provide a safe space where families can continue to honour the memory of their child or experiences, and come together in unity with other grieving families.

Join this fun and stimulating online dance therapy program for individuals with Parkinson’s and their care partners. This program is designed to help improve balance, coordination and ease of motion.

Osteoporosis affects both men and women equally and occurs at any age. It’s often known as the “silent thief” as bone loss occurs without symptoms. In partnership with Osteoporosis Canada, this four-week online learning series will focus on a new topic each week, followed by a short exercise session led by Chigamik’s physiotherapist, Renée Scruton. Exercises are tailored specifically to individuals living with Osteoporosis and can help prevent future challenges brought on by the condition.

Join Psychotherapist Julien Laramée for this online Mindfulness class that fosters an accepting, nonjudgmental environment to practice mindful exercises and explore different topics each week. Participants will develop a greater awareness of their breath, senses, lifestyle, relationship patterns, power of choice, and how to mindfully manage stress. No previous mindfulness experience is necessary!

*This program is currently being offered in English only.

Join us for a 7-week online exercise program in French that focuses on overall strength training, while improving your core, posture, balance and having fun!

*This program is offered in French.

Join our online beading circle and learn how to bead a hair clip inspired by Indigenous beading practices and design. Once registered, participants will have a beading kit delivered to them at no cost along with a link to the online tutorial video. Participants can then join the virtual zoom session to receive additional support from the facilitator, ask questions and connect with other like-minded individuals.

Join Psychotherapist, Julien Laramée, for this online Mindfulness workshop that fosters an accepting, nonjudgmental environment to practice mindful exercises. Participants will learn how to mindfully manage stress and develop a greater control over their lives. No previous mindfulness experience is necessary!

*This workshop will be offered in French only

Calling all mamas! Join Registered Nurse, Chantal Newburn and Social Worker, Melissa Maidment in this online peer support group for expecting or new mamas. The group will provide an open discussion on various social, developmental and educational topics. It’s a great opportunity to get together and support each other virtually during this challenging time of physical distancing!

These online sessions hosted by Dance Therapist, Rebecca Barnstaple, invite you to explore the physical, emotional and spiritual components of dance therapy, especially for those living with chronic pain. These sessions provide a series of movements that can be followed individually or with a partner in the comfort of your own home. Bring your curiosity, find a comfortable place to sit, stand or lie down, and get ready to listen to your body in a new way. These sessions are suitable for people living with Fibromyalgia, arthritic conditions or any type of chronic pain.

This six-week program is for anyone living with chronic pain including lower back pain, pain from motor vehicle accidents, arthritis, migraines, fibromyalgia etc. Individuals will learn skills that can help them better manage their chronic pain symptoms and improve their quality of life. Family members and/or caregiver are also welcome. 

*This workshop is being offered in French.

Important: This group is now being offered on Mondays from 3:00pm to 4:30pm starting on January 11th.

This bi-weekly online group is for anyone who is well-versed in the Ojibwe language fundamentals and wants to take the next step in their learning journey. The group will focus on conversations and sentence structure in the Ojibwe language. *Participants should have a solid foundation of the Ojibwe language before attending this group.

This 6-week online self-management program is for anyone living with a chronic condition including diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, lung disease, as well as any other chronic health issues. Each week participants will learn skills that can help them better manage their symptoms through healthy eating, physical activity, action planning, communication and more.

Participants will learn strategies on how to live better with osteoarthritis of the neck or back in this one-hour online workshop led by a physiotherapist from the Arthritis Society. Topics will include learning how to better understand your diagnosis, possible causes of pain, as well as good posture habits and strategies for easing daily activities.

Honoured Traditional Healers use traditional Aboriginal approaches to bring about wellness for individuals and/or groups with mental, physical, spiritual and emotional holistic healing needs. 

To learn more about Troy Green, click here.

Cost: All virtual Traditional Healing appointments are provided at no cost and conducted using the virtual video conferencing platform called ‘Zoom.’

Eligibility: To access this service, you must reside in the North Simcoe Muskoka region and be 12 years of age or older. You must also have access to the Internet through a computer, tablet or mobile phone.

How to Access: Please complete the registration form below. You will receive a phone call within two business days from our Reception Team to schedule your Traditional Healing session. Our Reception Team will review with you which Healers are available for your upcoming appointment. Prior to your appointment, you will be emailed consent forms to complete electronically. These forms must be completed prior to your appointment.

For more information please contact Brian George, Indigenous Cultural Program Coordinator at: 705.527.4154 x204.

Are you looking for an exercise routine that will not only keep you in great shape, but will also help you rediscover the joy of movement? If the term “joyful workout” sounds like fun, it might be time to give NIA a try! The NIA exercise technique is a mind and body physical conditioning program that stands for “non-impact aerobics.” Through the essence of dance, martial and healing arts participants will learn the basic movements of Nia. This class is taught in French by Céleste Lalonde, licensed instructor in the Nia Technique. Beginners are welcome! *Please dress comfortably.

Important: This workshop is held in FRENCH. 

Honoured Traditional Healers use traditional Indigenous approaches to bring about wellness for individuals with mental, physical, spiritual and emotional holistic healing needs.

To learn more about Pamela Tremblay-Hayes, click here.

Cost: All virtual Traditional Healing appointments are provided at no cost and conducted using the virtual video conferencing platform called ‘Zoom.’

Eligibility: To access this service, you must reside in the North Simcoe Muskoka region and be 12 years of age or older. You must also have access to the Internet through a computer, tablet or mobile phone.

How to Access: Please complete the registration form below. You will receive a phone call within two business days from our Reception Team to schedule your Traditional Healing session. Our Reception Team will review with you which Healers are available for your upcoming appointment. Prior to your appointment, you will be emailed consent forms to complete electronically. These forms must be completed prior to your appointment.

For more information please contact Brian George, Indigenous Cultural Program Coordinator at: 705.527.4154 x204.

Join our online beading circle and learn how to bead a refrigerator magnet inspired by Indigenous beading practices and design. Once registered, participants will have a beading kit delivered to them at no cost along with a link to the online tutorial video. Participants can then join the virtual zoom session to receive additional support from the facilitator.

In partnership with the Arthritis Society, this webinar will focus on tips for living well with shoulder restrictions and/or pain. Participants will learn healthy strategies including good posturing and strengthening, that can help in easing symptoms and possibly improve function.