THE

CENTRE
FEBRUARY 2015 NEWSLETTER/FAMILY & COMMUNITY WELLNESS
CENTRE

Public
Health
hosts
Sexual
Aware
-ness
week
The
Biggest
Loser
contestants
slim down

NISICHAWAYASIHK FAMILY & COMMUNITY

CREE NATION WELLNESS CENTRE

NISICHAWAYASIHK FAMILY & COMMUNITY

CREE NATION WELLNESS CENTRE

in this
issue:
Its been almost two years since the Family and
Community Wellness Centre came up with the
idea to start a newsletter.
The concept was to report on the activities of the
centre and its staff, and tell the stories that help
better the communitys health and wellness.
Weve had regular features that are a staple every
month, and were rolling out new ones that are
already gaining popularity.
Theres also been notable events such as the
Cree Court Justice model that attracted
delegations from provincial politics and justice.
We remembered loved ones through vigils and
gotten to know them better with touching
memories from their families. Staff continued
their public education campaigns and celebrated
the accomplishments of employees and the
community.
For all our stories, job opportunities and
upcoming events, follow the Family and
Community Wellness Centre on Facebook.
Thanks for reading.

Love is in the Air:

Public Health
hosts Sexual
Awareness
Week.

Lets talk
about sex.

Syphilis is on the
rise again. It kind of
went away, but its
showing up again. So
I think its very
important to educate
our kids. -Public
Health Department
Head Lynda Wright.

FEBRUARY 2015 NEWSLETTER/FAMILY & COMMUNITY WELLNESS

CENTRE

February isnt just for boyfriends and

husbands to scramble for a last minute
gift as Valentines Day approaches. At
the Family and Community Wellness
Centre, the days leading up to
Va l e n t i n e s D a y w e r e r e s e r v e d f o r
Sexual Health Awareness Week, an
event which targets youth.
Their hormones are very high up there
at that stage, says Public Health
Department Head Lynda Wright. They
see things on TV and they see things
on YouTube, all kinds of actions and
they like to experiment. Sometimes
theyre not aware of the consequences
of not being safe.
She got after meeting with other health
professions from around the province.
A similar Love Shack of sorts was set
up in other communities to attract the
public to the information booth. The
department set up their own display, a
tent-like structure with all the pink
hearts and usual decor of the season.
They provided informational hand outs
and pamphlets on Sexually Transmitted
Infections, healthy relationships and
hygiene and other sexual health
subjects, along with condoms to
practice safe sexual activity.
Syphilis is on the rise again. It kind of
went away, but its showing up again.
So I think its very important to educate
our kids.
Department staff also went to the local
high school to make presentations to
s t u d e n t s , w h i l e o t h e r c l a s s e s w e re
brought to the Centre.

FCWC NEWSLETTER/
FEBRUARY 2015

hot nights

without the risk

NISICHAWAYASIHK FAMILY & COMMUNITY
CREE NATION WELLNESS CENTRE

STAY PROTECTED
with free, new-style condoms
available at the Public Health
Department a the NCN Family and
Community Wellness Centre.

SPRING LOVE AD HERE

NURSES ARE AVAILABLE

to answer your questions in-person or
by phone Monday to Friday from
9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
(204) 484-2341 ext. 225

NISICHAWAYASIHK FAMILY & COMMUNITY

CREE NATION WELLNESS CENTRE

NISICHAWAYASIHK FAMILY & COMMUNITY

CREE NATION WELLNESS CENTRE

THE

BIGGEST
LOSER

weigh
in.

The competition
to lose the most is taking
off with contestants now
about one month into
their weight loss
programs.
But theres still much
more time to go.

On your mark.
Twenty-eight people are taking the
daring commitment to better their
lives through healthy eating and an
active lifestyle. The men and women
of The Biggest Loser Competition
stepped on the scale on Jan. 23,
2015. Competitors have until July 8,
2015 to weigh in with the FCWCs
Diabetes Program. The competition
is becoming a yearly event and its
even offering some encouragement
to the person facilitating it.
Im glad this started again, I
needed more motivated for a
healthy weight loss, says Eleanor
Erickson, Aboriginal Diabetes
Initiative Coordinator.
Erickson watch people go through
some drastic transformations during
last years competition. She its still
the early stages and its important
to have a plan.
Competitors are encouraged to eat
well following the Canadian Food
G u i d e , e x e rc i s e d a i l y a n d m o s t
importantly, keep it safe and fun! I
encourage and welcome
participants to come by the office
anytime for questions, says
Erickson.
Youre not alone in the battle to
lose the bulge. The Diabetes
Program has more programming in
the works.
We will be starting healthy cooking
classes, group exercise,
presentations regarding healthy
weight loss and maintaining the
lifestyle as the months go on, says
Erickson.

Competitors are
encouraged to eat
well, following the
Canadian Food Guide,
exercise daily and
most importantly,
keep it safe and fun! I
encourage and
welcome participants
to come by the oce
anytime for
questions.

-Eleanor Erickson,
Aboriginal Diabetes
The Diabetes Program asked for
a healthy muffin recipe in the last
F C W C n e w s l e t t e r. Tu r n t h e
pages to see what Ericksonendorsed food will help you shed
the pounds without sacrificing
the flavour.

FCWC NEWSLETTER/
FEBRUARY 2015

Breakfast
just got
better.
Last month it was muffins, but now heres a healthy and tasty side for your eggs,
pancakes or inside an English muffin. You can prep cook these breakfast sausages
for the week.
Ingredients:
-2 teaspoons dried sage
-2 teaspoons salt
-1 teaspoon ground black
pepper
-1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
-1 tablespoon brown sugar
-1/8 teaspoon crushed red
pepper flakes
-1 pinch ground cloves
-2 pounds ground pork
Directions:
In a small, bowl, combine the
sage, salt, ground black
pepper, marjoram, brown

sugar, crushed red pepper and

cloves. Mix well.
Place the pork in a large bowl
and add the mixed spices to it.
Mix well with your hands and
form into patties.
Saute the patties in a large
skillet over medium high heat
for 5 minutes per side, or until
internal pork temperature
reaches 160 degrees F (73
degrees C).
FCWC NEWSLETTER/
FEBRUARY 2015

facebook.
Cree word
of the day
Traditional ways shared through modern means.
In May 2013, staff attended a three-day
workshop on traditional family parenting,
developed by facilitator Janet Fox. She
believes that
raising a child holistically, makes them
better prepared to make positive

Lynda Wright, Head of Public Health,

suggested traditional values can be
shared through modern means of
communication. For example, because
youth in the community are active on
social media, its a great way toreach
that audience.

choices. She brought her presentation to

the FCWC because staff has consistent
contact and influence on members. But
aside from the community work, Fox
e n c o u r a g e d s t a ff t o e x p a n d h o l i s t i c
practices to the workplace.

Charlene Spence of Counselling Services

said offices can initiate language learning
every week. This means introducing staff
to a phrase every week, teaching them
the meaning and encouraging them to
use it.
Its these ideas that help create the
FCWCs Cree Word of the Day. Staff
members pick and word and provide the
translation.
It seems simple enough, and pretty basic
to some. But why did our first feature
get more than 1,000 views, 21 shares
and 42 likes? Have a look as Dolly
Francois translate Hippopotamus.
It even gave her the giggles.

FCWC NEWSLETTER/
FEBRUARY 2015

NISICHAWAYASIHK FAMILY & COMMUNITY

CREE NATION WELLNESS CENTRE

About
The Family and Community
Wellness Centre was established
to support holistic wellness by
providing dierent opportunities
to members of Nisichawayasihk
Cree Nation. The Centre
provides services in Public
Health, Child and Family
Services, Counselling and other
family and community needs
programs. It has sub-oces in
Winnipeg, Brandon, Thompson
and South Indian Lake.

Vision
Nisichawayasihk Mithwayawin

Mission
In unity, we promote community
awareness, empowerment, and
a safe environment towards
holistic wellness.

***For more information and

resources on the FCWC visit us
on Facebook and find links to
our website.

14 Bay Road Drive Nelson House, MB R0B 1A0 Phone: (204) 484-2341 Fax: (204) 484-2351