Onkwata’karitáhtshera

07/24/2025

07/23/2025

Onkwata’karitáhtshera is pleased to share Wholistic health, wellness and wellbeing from Indigenous and Haudenosaunee perspectives: A literature review of conceptual models, frameworks, tools and indicators.

This companion report to the 2024-2032 Kahnawà:ke Community Wellness Plan explores Indigenous models of wellness and offers tools to support culturally grounded approaches to health and wellbeing.

🔗 Read the full literature review here:
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6527f0b50efa343f4f45b90a/t/684999faa1d99d62f5e59858/1749654013287/CWP+Literature+review+-+April+2025.pdf

07/17/2025

👋 Meet Sarah Gaudio, our Communications Generalist at Onkwata’karitáhtshera!

Sarah supports communications to ensure that important health and wellness information reaches the community clearly and effectively. From managing social media and creating content to supporting inter-organizational outreach, she contributes to the success of our communications strategy.

Whether it’s promoting community events, highlighting the work of our teams, or helping tell the stories behind our initiatives, Sarah’s role is all about building connection, clarity, and engagement.

Sarah keeps our work visible, accessible, and aligned with the voices of Kahnawà:ke!

07/17/2025

👋 Meet Sydney Ross & Noelle Howse, our amazing Administrative Assistants at Onkwata’karitáhtshera!

Sydney and Noelle play a key role in supporting the day-to-day operations of our department and contribute to the success of various projects. From coordinating meetings and organizing documentation to tracking data and assisting in communications, they help keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes.

Their work touches every part of the organization, and they collaborate closely with the entire team to make sure deadlines are met, details are in place, and the right info gets to the right people at the right time.

Whether it’s planning community events, supporting committees, or managing the many moving parts of our work, Sydney and Noelle are an essential part of the team.

Nia:wen to both of them for their care, organization, and commitment to the health and wellness of Kahnawà:ke!

07/16/2025

👋 Meet Dr. Colleen Fuller & Katrina Streef, the powerhouse duo behind Public Health at Onkwata’karitáhtshera!

Together, they support all four pillars of public health in Kahnawà:ke:

- Health Data Monitoring
- Health Protection
- Health Prevention
- Health Promotion

This year, they continued the Regional Health Survey, the first since 2015! The data helps us understand key community wellness indicators like physical activity, smoking rates, and sense of belonging. They also shared results from the Community Health Portrait and are developing new data chapters focused on Culture & Language, Elder's Health, and Special Needs Individuals and Their Caregivers.

Dr. Fuller and Katrina support many community-led efforts from health fairs at KSS, to vaccination campaigns, to environmental health initiatives like the local fish consumption guide created with KEPO and EHS.

They also collaborate closely with KSCS, KMHC, and CISSSMO to strengthen cultural safety and advance each Community Wellness Plan domain through coordinated action.

Their work ensures that health initiatives in Kahnawà:ke are data-driven, culturally grounded, and responsive to community needs.

07/16/2025

👋 Meet Ravyn Regis & Lois Montour, our External Projects Coordinators at Onkwata’karitáhtshera!

Lois and Ravyn help bring the Community Wellness Plan Initiative Funding (CWPI) to life by supporting local individuals and organizations in applying. From launching calls for proposals to guiding applicants through the application process, contracts, reports, and financial tracking/reimbursements, they’re with you every step of the way!

This past year, the team supported 75+ funded projects and saw their workload nearly double as they transitioned from the former CFS and CHPI models to CWPI, with a new focus on 11 priority domains reflected in the new Community Wellness Plan (CWP).

Through strong relationships with project coordinators and clear guidance through sometimes complex processes, Lois and Ravyn help ensure that community-led initiatives are successful and sustainable.

Shoutout to all the incredible project coordinators working alongside them to turn the Community Wellness Plan into real action for all Kahnawa’kehró:non!

07/15/2025

Onkwata’karitáhtshera is proud to share the first volumes of our Health Portraits, offering an in-depth look at key health issues in Kahnawà:ke:

These reports will help strengthen public health efforts and guide future services for Kahnawa’kehró:non.

You will be able to find them here: https://www.onkwa.org/healthportraits

⚠️ Please note: Our website is currently under construction. Only the Health Portraits and Community Wellness Plan pages remain accessible at this time.

07/15/2025

👋 Meet Kirsten Sheridan & Kahsennaronnion Montour, our Health Programs Liaisons for Jordan’s Principle and Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)!

From educational supports and mental health therapy to medical treatments and more, the team provides hands-on guidance to help families navigate complex systems and access vital services. In 2024–2025 alone, they responded to over 500 service requests, their highest volume to date.

They also worked hard to raise awareness in the community through in-person events, a new video campaign, and partnerships with local organizations like the Kahnawake Youth Center, and Kateri Hospital.

As eligibility rules change and processes become more demanding, the Jordan's Principle team is doubling down on advocacy, education, and community outreach to make sure no child is left behind.

07/14/2025

👋 Meet Clara Lewis & Vivienne Walz, our dedicated Community Health Plan Liaisons at Onkwata’karitáhtshera!

Together, they support the community's implementation of the 2024–2032 Community Wellness Plan (CWP) - a living framework rooted in tsi niionkwarihò:ten (our ways) and driven by community vision and input.

This past year, Clara and Vivienne worked alongside Onkwata'karitáhtshera, organizations, and community members to bring the Plan to life with over 185 participants at community presentations, 2,250 CWP summaries mailed out, and events like the Onkwaná:ta' Onkwata'karitáhtshera' Iontia'tarohrokstáhkhwa' (Our Community, Our Wellness Gathering), a highlight that brought together 80+ attendees, 13 booths, and meaningful conversations around wellness.

Their work connects long-term planning with real community voices, and we’re excited to keep building on that momentum.
Stay tuned as they continue to support new subcommittees, governance discussions, and deepen the link between culture, language, and health.

07/14/2025

👋 Meet Karonhiarò:roks Picard, Secretariat Manager at Onkwata’karitáhtshera!

Over the past year, Karonhiarò:roks has supported the coordination of some of our biggest initiatives like the 2024–2032 Community Wellness Plan and Phase 4 of the Regional Health Survey.

She helps keep things running smoothly behind the scenes by assisting with planning, internal coordination, stakeholder engagement, and supporting data governance across departments.

Her adaptability and steady support have been essential as our team continues to grow and respond to the changing needs of the community.