Nishnawbe Aski Nation ᐊᓂᔑᓇᐯ ᐊᔅᑭ ᐅᑭᒪᐎᓐ

09/14/2026

NAN Health Transformation staff and partners, joined by Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum, travelled to Wapekeka First Nation on August 17 & 18 and Fort Severn First Nation on August 20 & 21, for two days each of conversation, learning and sharing with community members about the future of Health Transformation.

Over shared meals, community members of all ages came together to ask questions, talk about their experiences with the health system, and share their perspectives on their role, priorities, and vision within the Health Transformation process. The leadership and participation of NAN First Nations continue to be the foundation of Health Transformation and guide the work as it moves forward.

To help ensure everyone could actively participate in the conversation, interpretation was incorporated throughout all sessions, recognizing the importance of ensuring local language needs are met and that community members can participate fully in the process in their own language.

Much of the conversations focused on what health care looks like today and what people want to see improved. Participants spoke about the importance of protecting Treaty rights and local control, keeping community health data in First Nations hands, and ensuring those most affected remain involved in decisions about their health services.

Participants also shared how gaps in local care can affect people throughout their lives, often leaving families to navigate limited services, changing providers, and long trips away from home to get the care they need. These experiences reinforced a strong message throughout the visit: more care should be available closer to home, within a health system shaped by the needs, priorities, and experiences of the people it serves.

Miigwech to Wapekeka First Nation and Fort Severn First Nation leadership and community members for welcoming the team, sharing your knowledge, and taking the time to help shape the future of Health Transformation.

09/14/2026

The NAN Health Policy & Advocacy Mental Health team visited Kasabonika Lake First Nation to spend time with leadership and community members as work continues on the NAN Mental Health Plan and Watersheds of Wellness.

The day began with Chief and Council, where the team shared the developing framework and heard leadership’s priorities and guidance on how the work should continue to take shape. Community members then joined the team for lunch and an afternoon session focused on mental health awareness, practical coping skills, supporting one another, and finding pathways to care.

The visit was also an opportunity to talk about Watersheds of Wellness – a community-grounded approach that brings together the conditions that support wellness, six key areas of mental health care, and the people and systems that help carry that work forward.

Most importantly, these conversations are part of ensuring the NAN Mental Health Plan continues to be shaped by the knowledge, experiences, priorities and direction of NAN First Nations. The work builds on years of community voices, leadership direction, cultural knowledge and advocacy, and each visit helps strengthen how that collective direction is reflected in the Plan.

Miigwetch to Kasabonika Lake First Nation for welcoming the team, sharing your perspectives and making space for these important conversations. Miigwech as well to SLFNHA/Nodin and Shibogama for supporting the visit.

09/14/2026

NAN’s Infrastructure and Housing Department is excited to announce a free online course: Introduction to Construction Document Reading course!

🛠️ Starting October 22, this 8-week series of one-hour classes will cover an essential introductory look at how to read construction documents, understand the different elements of construction packages and how to apply these learnings to real life situations.

📅 When: Thursdays at 10 AM EST
💻 Where: Online via Zoom
⏳ Can’t make it live? A self-paced option will be available in the future!

Register here: https://pulse.pulse.ly/eh9gvo1i0o

We are very excited to be working alongside Bohdana Innes from Moose Cree First Nation to develop this course, specifically for NAN First Nation members.

For questions, contact Erin Mellor at [email protected]

Let’s build stronger housing systems together! 💡

09/14/2026

Last call for community service providers!

Registration for a booth at the NAN Student Orientation closes soon. This is your opportunity to connect directly with NAN high school students arriving in Thunder Bay for the school year.

The event takes place September 29, 2026 from 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Superior Inn Hotel and Conference Centre.

Register for a booth here before spots run out: https://pulse.pulse.ly/dikbtxnfsa

For more information contact Akansha Kaur at [email protected] or 807.625.4940

09/11/2026

Today we acknowledge Survivors, their families, and all of our people who were abducted into Indian Residential Schools.

During Lakehead University's National Truth and Reconciliation flag-raising ceremony Deputy Grand Chief Mike Metatawabin spoke about the lasting impacts of residential schools on Survivors, families and communities, and the strength Indigenous people continue to show. He reminded those gathered that this history remains recent and that healing is ongoing, particularly for intergenerational Survivors.

He also stressed the importance of education, protecting Indigenous rights and lands, and standing with Survivors through meaningful acknowledgement and action.

The Survivors’ Flag is an expression of remembrance, meant to honour residential school survivors and all the lives and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada.

09/11/2026

Wednesday, September 16 2026
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
NAN Syndicate Office, 200 Syndicate Avenue South

This gathering is open to all community members. We will be welcoming a Grandfather Drum/big drum. Come share in teachings by an Elder, alongside drummers and singers, with opportunities to try your hand at singing, drumming, and dancing. Feel free to bring regalia.

The evening will include an Elder opening, teachings, and smudging. Supper, healthy snacks, and soft drinks will be provided. Bus tickets will be provided. The venue is wheelchair accessible.

Have a sensitivity or need an accommodation? Just let us know – we are happy to help.

Questions? Reach out to:
Janine Frogg – [email protected]

09/10/2026

Sioux Lookout / Thunder Bay, ON — Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA) and Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) are demanding immediate, public accountability following the death of Miranda Mamakwa, a mother of three young children from Fort Severn First Nation, after Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program repeatedly failed to arrange the medical travel she needed to attend life-saving follow-up care. Miranda's death was shared with delegates at SLFNHA's Annual General Meeting by NAN Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler.

Read full statement here:https://www.slfnha.com/news-media-slfnha/joint-statement-slfnha-and-nan-demand-accountability-in-the-death-of-miranda-mamakwa/

09/10/2026

Our Choose Life team was honoured to join a su***de awareness walk in Aroland First Nation today on World Su***de Prevention Day.

This year’s message, “Changing the Narrative on Su***de,” includes a simple call to action: start the conversation. That means being willing to talk, listen, and care.

The day began with a prayer from Elder Nora Atlookan, who spoke about the power and importance of the Choose Life program across NAN territory. Students from Johnny Therriault School, ranging from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6, took part in the awareness walk through the community, proudly carrying banners representing Aroland First Nation and su***de awareness.

“September 10 is about more than talking about su***de. It is about hope, connection, and kindness, and reminding one another that we do not have to struggle alone,” said a Choose Life staff member.

After the walk, a student classroom activity encouraged them to use their creativity to draw and write about how and why they Choose Life. Some drew pictures of family and friends, while others highlighted their favourite hobbies.

Students, and everyone across our Nation, are reminded that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

09/10/2026

Today, Ginoogaming First Nation Chief Sheri Taylor and Council met with OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique to demand accountability for the ongoing drug and crime crisis that has gripped their community for years – and left with commitments.

Ginoogaming has been in a State of Emergency since May 2024. In that time, the community has funded its own checkpoints, patrols, a K9 unit, and community guardians entirely out of pocket – spending approximately $1.6 million because governments failed to act. Today, Chief Taylor brought those realities directly to the OPP Commissioner and asked for a process that produces real answers.

OPP Commissioner Carrique committed on the record to all three of Ginoogaming's asks: a written framework between Ginoogaming and the OPP, senior OPP representatives with real authority to move the work forward, and a formal meeting within 30 days.

NAN Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum alled upon Anishinabek Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police to provide immediate changes and to instruct their police officers on the front lines to respond to the needs and be visible in the community.

She also called on the federal and provincial government to come to the table.

"Our people deserve safety. We will not stop until we get it." – Chief Sheri Taylor

Miigwetch to Chief Taylor and Council for their strength, determination, and leadership in fighting for their community. This is one step forward – and NAN will continue walking alongside Ginoogaming until the work is done.

09/10/2026

Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler is calling on the governments of Canada and Ontario to treat the escalating drug-related violence across NAN territory as the public safety emergency that it is. Today’s virtual press conference held by Ginoogaming First Nation Chief Sheri Taylor underscores exactly why – communities are being forced to fight this crisis alone, and governments must act.

Read the full release here:

THUNDER BAY, ON: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler is calling on the governments of Canada and Ontario to treat the escalating drug-related violence across NAN territory as the public safety emergency that it is. Today’s virtual press […]