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.

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.

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!

In partnership with the Arthritis Society, this workshop will teach participants all they need to know about hip and knee osteoarthritis. This includes joint anatomy, pain management skills, and tools to keep you as active as possible!

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.

*After registering, the facilitator will contact you to determine if you would like to join the group in-person at the Community Health Hub or online. 

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.

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.

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 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

Join our online beading circle and learn how to bead earrings inspired by Indigenous beading practices and design. Attend the online tutorial and follow along as our facilitators teach you how to get started. After the online session, you will have access to a “how-to” video to guide you through your project until it is complete! *Once registered, participants will be mailed a beading kit at no cost.

Being a new mom can be overwhelming at times, especially during a pandemic! The added stress of keeping your children busy and connected, all while staying home and social distancing can be frustrating. In this workshop, Doula, Tasha Robitaille, will provide you with the tools and resources to start feeling productive and present in your daily life. You will learn how to make the ultimate shift from feeling worried and overwhelmed as a new mom, to feeling confident, productive and present in life. The workshop will also provide you with techniques to establish a plan for your mindset and home and create a routine that will help you stay calm and productive with your kids and family.

In partnership with the Arthritis Society, this workshop will provide tips and tools to improve daily activities, manage symptoms, understand basic shoe design and what footwear works best for those suffering from arthritis of the foot. Participants will also learn simple daily movement exercises to stay active. It’s a great opportunity to interact with others who share the same condition and similar experiences.

Join us for a 6-week online beginner yoga program – en français! Yoga is an ancient discipline that explores, develops and integrates the mind, body and spirit. Yoga stretches and strengthens muscles throughout the body, increases relaxation and improves concentration.

To Join: Please complete the registration form below. Once registered, you will be emailed consent forms to complete electronically (instructions found within the email).

Where: All sessions are accessed on the virtual video conferencing platform called ‘Zoom’. You will receive an email 24 hours prior to the session date with a zoom access link and instructions.

*Please note: if you have registered for one session, you will not need to register for subsequent sessions of this program.

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. 

About Pauline Shirt
Pauline is an Elder, Plains Cree, Red–Tail Hawk Clan. Pauline was born and raised on the Saddle Lake Reserve, Alberta. Grandmother Pauline is greatly recognized for her commitment to the Toronto Native community and for her dedication as a teacher and lecturer since the late sixties.Pauline Shirt, a founder of the First Nations School and the Red Willow, are just two examples of her hard work ethic and perseverance to enhancing the betterment of the Toronto Aboriginal community. Today, Pauline serves as a mentor to many Aboriginal youth and young families as an experienced and trusted Grandmother. Pauline Shirt is capable of giving many Teachings and conducts ceremonies as needed.

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.

In this online workshop, Grandmother Pauline Shirt will teach the significance of each aspect of the tipi. The workshop will begin with a prayer and song, include a craft session on how to make a tipi and end with a sharing circle. *Once registered, participants will be mailed a tipi craft kit at no cost.

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.

Many people are turning away from purchasing commercially made health and beauty products and creating their own at home. Join Pamela Tremblay-Hayes in a one-hour workshop on how to make Traditional soap – just like our ancestors did. Participants will learn about the benefits of making this universal traditional homemade craft and an easy step-by-step recipe will be shared.

This online information session, led by physiotherapist, Ingrid Beam, is a highly interactive program that demonstrates practical tips, exercises, adaptive devices and splints. Participants will learn how to use strategies to control pain and stiffness, protect joints and improve the function of the hand.

Join Elder and honoured Traditional Healer, Pauline Shirt, in a Solstice Teachings workshop. The session will begin with an opening prayer and song, followed by Solstice Teachings. A craft session and Teaching of a Medicine Bag will be included in the workshop. *Once registered, participants will be mailed a medicine bag craft kit at no cost.

Join our online beading circle and learn how to bead a broach inspired by Indigenous beading practices and design. Attend the online tutorial and follow along as our facilitators teach you how to get started. After the online session, you will have access to a “how-to” video to guide you through your project until it is complete! *Once registered, participants will be mailed a beading kit at no cost.