Listen to the third Storytelling Video for the Bi pi maadzing zaagidwin teg jichaaming / Circle of Life in the Spirit of Love project. Developed by Surrey Place, the series reflects voices and perspectives from Indigenous caregivers and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in Northwestern Ontario.
Our third episode features Aaron, a self-advocate who lives in Sioux Lookout. Aaron discusses his relationships, hobbies and work in Sioux Lookout, as well as the difficulties of living in a Northern community during the pandemic. He is supported by Christine Sawanas, the Clinical Regional Access Coordinator for the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority and the MMW Program at Surrey Place.
Aaron and Christine are both from Deer Lake First Nation. The Deer Lake First Nation is a small Oji-Cree community which holds 1653.6 hectres of land located approximately 180 kilometers North of Red Lake, Ontario. It has an on-reserve population of approximately 1,100, and a total membership of approximately 1,200. It is accessible year-round by air, and by ice road. It is connected to Sandy Lake First Nation, and North Spirit Lake First Nation during the coldest months of the winter, as a result, experience higher costs of transportation.
The music is by Scott Holmes Music (CC BY-NC 4.0)
About Surrey Place
Surrey Place provides specialized clinical services that are responsive to individual’s needs and promote health and well-being in the Toronto region.
We help children and adults living with developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, fetal alcohol syndrome and visual impairments reach their full potential. We offer a variety of groups and workshops for clients, families and caregivers, as well as extensive education and consultation services to community agencies.
About the MMW Program
The Mashkikiiwininiwag Mazinaatesijigan Wichiiwewin (MMW) Clinical Videoconferencing Program offers clinical services using videoconferencing technology to adults with diagnosed or suspected intellectual and developmental disabilities in Northwestern Ontario. Since 2005, our team has collaborated with Northern community partners, including Sioux Lookout First Nation Health Authority and Community Living Dryden Sioux Lookout, to ensure quality and cultural responsiveness during service delivery.
For more information about the MMW Program connect with us:
Contact DSO Northern Region
1-855-376-6673
Contact our Intake Line
416-925-5141 ext 2845 or 1-833-999-9669
Email us at mmw.services@surreyplace.ca
