Equay - wuk (Women’s Group) 1989 - Present

1. Equay-wuk (Women’s Group) 1989 - Present

2. Organization OverviewEquay-wuk (Women’s Group) • Equay-wuk (plural for “Woman” in the Ojibway and Oji-Cree languages) • Provincially Incorporated in 1989 • Independent from other women’s groups • Non-Profit Charitable Organization • Governed by an Elected Board of Directors who serve a two year term • Catchment area is made up of 31 First Nation communities in remote Northwestern Ontario

4. Catchment Area Map

5. Demographics of the Area Servedby Equay-wuk (Women’s Group) • Vast remote area that covers ½ the province of Ontario • Inhabited by over 18,000 Oji-Cree and Ojibway people • Most communities are accessible only by air • High cost of living • Limited employment opportunities

7. Recommendations from Early Conferences • Topics for future education and discussion • Family Violence • Youth Suicide • Alcohol and Substance Abuse • Parenting • Skills Training • Sex Education

8. 1st Programs at Equay-wuk • Funded by the Sioux Lookout Area Aboriginal Management Board (SLAAMB) - 1992 • Interpreter/Translator Training • Short Order Cook Training • Sponsored by Wawatay Native Communications Society • A Television Program called “Equay-wuk Speaks”

9. Organizational Objectives/Current Programs • To coordinate and facilitate the delivery of the Community Wellness Program • To provide culturally appropriate resources which promote wellness, education and self-development • To identify community wellness needs, issues and concerns • Current Programs at Equay-wuk (Women’s Group) • Community Wellness Program (Started in June 1995) • Nishnawbe Women’s Wellness (Ended March 2011) • Building Aboriginal Women’s Leadership

10. Organizational Objectives/Current Programs • To maintain and operate employment training programs • Programs at Equay-wuk (Women’s Group) • Job Readiness Skills Training Program • (Started in 1993 a 22 week training program) • Employment Ready Skills Training Program • (Started in 1996 a 12 week training program)

11. Organizational Objectives/Current Programs • To empower women to determine their future • To provide forums for women to become more independent and more assertive about their own needs within their community • Program at Equay-wuk (Women’s Group) • Building Aboriginal Women’s Leadership Program • Originally called ‘Women in Self Government’

12. Organizational Objectives/Activities • To network and share information • Activities at Equay-wuk (Women’s Group) • Host conferences • Facilitate Community Workshops • Develop Manuals and Training Kits • Maintain a Web Site • Train-the-Trainer workshops for First Nations to facilitate focus groups in their own community on parenting and family violence prevention

13. To provide and maintain a resource library of culturally appropriate materials

14. Educational Kits Produced Home Based Business 2009 A Guide for Nishnawbe Women - Kit includes a Manual and CD A Positive Parenting Program Kit

15. Educational Kits Produced Healthy Families Healthy Nations - A Training Kit for Professionals and Service Providers. Healthy Families Healthy Nations - A Family Violence Prevention Kit

16. Manuals Better Care Giving – Cultural Sensitivity: A Facilitator’s Manual and Guide For Professional Care Giving Building Aboriginal Women’s Leadership - A Workshop Manual, Participant Handbook, CD

17. Closing • Equay-wuk (Women’s Group) is committed to empowering women, youth and families who reside within Northwestern Ontario First Nations communities. • We continue to apply for funding to facilitate positive change to reflect the aspirations and self-determination of the First Nation people we serve.

18. Meegwetch! Equay-wuk (Women’s Group) P. O. Box 1781 Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1C4 Tel: (807) 737-2214 or toll free (800) 261-8294 Fax: (807) 737-2699 Email: equaywuk@bellnet.ca Website: www.equaywuk.ca