An Indigenous Women's Support Centre

Minwaashin Lodge provides a range of programs and services to First Nations, Inuit and Métis women and children (regardless of status) who are survivors of domestic and other forms of violence, and who may also be suffering the effects of the residential school system. All programs and services are provided in the context of cultural beliefs and values to ensure a holistic approach is used as part of the healing journey. 

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ATTENTION: COVID 19 GUIDELINES FOR MINWAASHIN LODGE STAFF/CLIENTS/VOLUNTEERS/VISITORS

The government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health is pausing the province’s exit from the Roadmap to Reopen and providing third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to vulnerable populations.  The CMOH is also making COVID-19 vaccination policies mandatory in higher-risk settings. 

Minwaashin Lodge has a “Staff Immunization Policy” in place effective September 7, 2021. Minwaashin does require all clients/visitors to be pre-screened over the phone prior to a scheduled appointment/programming.

Effective September 22, 2021:

Today the government released the regulations and guidance for businesses and organizations to support them in implementing proof of vaccination requirements, which take effect on September 22, 2021. Requiring proof of vaccination will help increase vaccination rates, protect individuals in higher-risk indoor settings, and keep businesses open.

Fully vaccinated: Upon arrival: Fill in screening tool/ temperature recorded on form. Individuals can provide proof of immunization by downloading or printing their vaccine receipt from the provincial booking portal, or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900.

Vaccine credentials are a temporary measure to address health and safety in the COVID-19 pandemic. How long they are necessary will be monitored and evaluated based on data and the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health.

*NEW:

Minwaashin Lodge is now implementing Antigen Rapid Testing on site at our VAW Emergency shelter and at 1155 Lola St. for those who are not vaccinated due to medical reasons or for those who choose not to be vaccinated.

Non-vaccinated: COVID 19/ Antigen Rapid Testing (community testing site) required up to 48 hrs prior to entry.

Upon arrival: Fill in screening tool/temperature recorded/ – Antigen Rapid Testing on site.(necessary for entry).

Medical exemptions: COVID 19/Antigen Rapid Testing (community testing site) required up to 48 hrs prior to entry.

Upon arrival: Fill in screening tool/temperature recorded/ temporary Dr. note accepted pending provincial requirements - Antigen Rapid Testing on site.(necessary for entry).

In the coming weeks Ontario will support implementation of vaccine certificates for Indigenous communities whether they have opted to enter their data into COVax, while maintaining Indigenous data governance, control, access and possession principles.

Hello everyone,

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Due to improvements in key public health and health care indicators, the province announced it will begin to ease some public health restrictions on Friday, June 11th for approximately three weeks depending on new cases,

Minwaashin’s Step 1 (4) stage will be offering the following limited  face to face outdoor services;

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             * CAS outdoor access visits available for families *Counseling team - ‘outdoor sessions only’ will be available to clients * Parenting groups – outdoor face to face sessions coming soon

Essential services continue as follows:

• Emergency baby/food security – curbside

• Food security: Bi-weekly food bags/perishables for Outreach clients/Sacred Child families - curbside

• Curb side support for families in distress as required

• CAS supports – virtual/phone/txt/crisis support – curbside – Outdoor Access Visits start

• Doula Program - Aunties on the Road- phone/txt/virtual/resources and online learning/pre-post natal services/curbside support

• Crisis support for youth/women/families in distress – virtual/text/phone

• Parenting program - Virtual FB parenting group-limited ‘outdoor’ parenting groups coming soon

• Employment Readiness Program-Virtual training groups – see poster

• Counseling team – children/youth/women/families/couples counseling available -virtual/email/text/ and face to face outdoor sessions available

• Culture program - virtual workshops 2x week – check calendar

• Youth support- Google hangouts; FB support circles-closed group; email; phone/texting; crisis intervention; curbside wellness check ins; food security; school supports and future groups pending start date

• Online activities daily on Nitawigin facebook page from Makonsag and the Sacred Child Program

• Cultural Outreach - virtual workshop support for women at Cornerstone-Princeton site

• Oshki Shelter site - Day/evening programs continue to deliver essential services with daily with specific direction from the Shelter Director including Housing First; Outreach; and Street Outreach (STORM).

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Province’s Step One of the Roadmap to Reopen includes but is not limited to:

• Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 10 people;

• Outdoor religious services, including wedding services and funeral services, capped at the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres;

• Indoor religious services permitted at up to 15 percent capacity of the particular room;

• Essential and other select retail permitted at 25 percent capacity;

• Non-essential retail at 15 percent capacity, with no restrictions on the goods that can be sold;

• Retail stores in malls closed unless the stores have a street facing entrance;

• Outdoor dining with up to four people per table, with exceptions for larger households;

• Outdoor fitness classes and outdoor individual/team sport training to be permitted with up to 10 people, among other restrictions;

• Day camps for children permitted to operate under mandated health and safety guidelines;

• Overnight camping at campgrounds and campsites, including Ontario Parks, and short-term rentals;

• Concert venues, theatres and cinemas may open outdoors for the purpose of rehearsing or performing a recorded or broadcasted concert, artistic event, theatrical performance or other performance with no more than 10 performers, among other restrictions;

• Outdoor horse racing tracks and motor speedways permitted to operate without spectators; and

• Outdoor attractions such as zoos, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens with capacity and other restrictions.

Many thanks to our wonderful Minlodge staff, students and volunteers who continue to do the hard work necessary to support our families/children/youth/elders during the pandemic.

Chi-Meegwetch!

Mary Daoust

Executive Director 

Minwaashin Lodge-Indigenous Women's Support Centre

Minwaashin Lodge offers services in both English and French

Minwaashin Lodge offre des services en Anglais et Français

If you or someone you care about is being abused or at risk of being abused, please contact our Violence Against Indigenous Women's Shelter, Oshki Kizis Lodge, by calling our crisis line at:  

613-789-1141 or our toll free number at 1-855-789-9433

Our charitable number is 136843026RR0001