Tajikeimɨk - Mi'kmaw Health and Wellness

09/26/2025

Our team is wearing orange today in recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, otherwise known as Orange Shirt Day 🧡 Shoutout to our Communications Specialists, Alexa and Coral, for designing this year’s shirts!

09/25/2025

Earlier this week, members of the Tajikeimɨk team, along with Health Directors and community health staff toured the IWK maternal and newborn clinical spaces.

This visit was part of a gathering focused on understanding Mi’kmaw maternal and newborn health, sharing knowledge and finding ways to improve care and outcomes for Mi’kmaw women, families and communities.

During this gathering, we had the opportunity to:
🌟Share Mi’kmaw knowledge, ceremonies and traditions around pregnancy, birth and caring for newborns and birthing parents
🌟Learn more about IWK maternal and newborn healthcare services
🌟Review the latest maternal and newborn health data and share feedback on ways to improve it
🌟Identify gaps in information and what communities still need to support families
🌟Build confidence in using health information to support future decision-making

Wela'liek to the IWK Health for welcoming us into their spaces. This is an important step in our journey toward making healthcare services more culturally safe and responsive.

📸Images courtesy of Ryan Wilson/Medical Photographer at IWK Health Centre

09/24/2025

We are HIRING a‼️Human Resources Generalist‼️

Reporting to the Director, People and Organizational Development the Human Resources Generalist will provide comprehensive HR support on a broad range of human resources functions, including recruitment, onboarding compensation, benefits administration, and employee relations. This role will act as a bridge between management and employees, ensuring smooth delivery of Human Resources services and fostering a positive work environment.

This posting is open until filled, and we will be reviewing applications as they are received.

Details: https://mhwns.ca/job-postings/human-resources-generalist/

Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre Annapolis Valley First Nation Eskasoni Health Centre Membertou Community Millbrook First Nation Health Centre Paqtnkek Health Centre Pictou Landing First Nation Potlotek First Nation Sipeknekatik Band We'koqma'q Community Site Glooscap First Nation Site The Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq Union of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Wasoqopa'q First Nation Opportunities and Updates

09/23/2025

🎉 Congratulations to our Orange T-Shirt Contest Winner! 🎉

We’re excited to announce that Brielle P. from Wasoqopa’q First Nation is the winner of our Orange Shirt Day youth contest! 🧡 Her name was selected through a random draw.

Brielle created a beautiful poem for her entry — take a look at the graphic below to read it. ✨

Wela’liek/thank you to all the youth who submitted entries and shared their voices with us. Your creativity and spirit are powerful reminders of why Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation are so important.

Together, we honour and remember that Every Child Matters. 🧡

09/19/2025

🚨 FINAL REMINDER! 🚨

Our Orange Shirt Day Youth Contest closes TODAY (Friday, Sept. 19) at 4:30 PM!

Mi’kmaw youth (ages 12–20) living in Nova Scotia still have time to share what “We’re here because they survived…” means to you. We will select – by random draw – one winner in each of the 13 communities.

How to enter (choose one):
✍️ Write a short poem or story (¼–½ page)
🎨 Create a piece of art and snap a photo
📹 Record a 1-minute video

Prizes include:
🧡 The brand-new 2025 Tajikeimɨk Orange Shirt (shown in the image!)
🎁 A Tajikeimɨk swag pack
💳 A $25 Walmart gift card

⏰ Deadline: TODAY at 4:30 PM
📩 Submit to: taji@mhwns.ca or send via Facebook Messenger
📣 Winners announced: Sept. 23, 2025

Don’t wait — get your entry in before the cutoff!

09/18/2025

Good afternoon Annapolis Valley First Nation!

Some of our Tajikeimɨk team members are here attending the Child and Youth Wellness Fair at the Bingo Hall!

Come say hi to Jessica and Alice - two of our Nuji-Apoqnmuet; Hannah, our Program Lead for Mental Wellness and Healing; and Desiree and Alexa from our Communications team!

We will be here until 6 p.m. - we have lots of swag to give away and a fun game of Operation to win some special prizes!

09/18/2025

Last week, our Mi'kmaq Indigenous Nurse Education Specialist, Emily Peter-Paul celebrated 1 year with Tajikeimɨk!

She has shared one of the accomplishments she’s most proud of from this past year!

Join us in congratulating Emily! 🎉

09/17/2025

🚨 REMINDER: Orange Shirt Day Contest for Youth! 🚨

Mi’kmaw youth ages 12–20 living in Nova Scotia—have you submitted your entry yet? Tell us what “We’re here because they survived…” means to you for a chance to win the prizes shown in the photo: Tajikeimɨk swag (mug, hat, beanie, notebook & more), a $25 Walmart gift card, plus our 2025 Orange Shirt designed by us at Tajikeimɨk 🧡

How to enter (pick one):
✍️ Short poem or story (¼–½ page)
🎨 A photo of a piece of art
📹 A 1-minute video

Prizes: One winner from each of the 13 Mi’kmaw communities.
⏰ Deadline: Friday, Sept. 19, 2025 at 4:30 PM
📩 Submit: taji@mhwns.ca or Facebook Messenger
📣 Winners announced: Sept. 23, 2025

Don’t miss out—all this could be yours!

09/15/2025

We are HIRING an ‼️Administrative Assistant‼️to be apart of our Mental Wellness and Healing team!

This role involves managing day-to-day administrative tasks, coordinating schedules, handling correspondence, and organizing meetings and events. Reporting to the Director of Mental Wellness and Healing, the successful candidate will build and maintain effective working relationships with Leadership, Health Directors, and partners to support the strategic plan and priorities of the L’nu’k Mental Wellness and Healing Framework.

This posting is open until filled, and we will be reviewing applications as they are received.

Details: https://mhwns.ca/job-postings/mental-wellness-and-healing-administrative-assistant/

Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre Annapolis Valley First Nation Eskasoni Health Centre Membertou Community Millbrook First Nation Health Centre Millbrook's Official Community Site Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation Paqtnkek Health Centre Pictou Landing First Nation Potlotek First Nation Sipekne'katik First Nation Sipeknekatik Band We'koqma'q Community Site Glooscap First Nation Site The Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq Union of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Wasoqopa'q First Nation Opportunities and Updates

09/12/2025

🎉 Did you hear? ... The Tajikeimɨk video is out now!

🎥 Tajikeimɨk Origin Video
It started as just a few ideas on paper and grew into something our communities can watch, listen to, and learn from—brought to life with Loretta Gould’s powerful artwork in motion and a script by Alexa Sylliboy. “It’s more than just a video—it’s our story, and our vision, all in one.”
Available in Mi’kmaw and English. Give it a watch.

📰 Also in the story: we’re excited to share that as of January 29, 2025, Tajikeimɨk was incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act, and on April 1, 2025 we began operating as our own independent organization—another step in Mi’kmaw-led health transformation.

“Incorporation is another important milestone … as we prepare to accept the responsibility and funding for health and wellness services and programs.” — Lindsay Peach, Executive Director

READ FULL STORY HERE:https://mhwns.ca/uploads/incorporation_video.pdf

Video Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR1VjkXxm7c

Tajikeimɨk is the new and developing health and wellness organization leading health transformation for Mi’kmaw communities in Nova Scotia.Health transformat...

09/11/2025

📣 Reminder: Orange Shirt Day Youth Contest!

Have you shared your entry yet? ✨ Mi’kmaw youth ages 12–20 living in Nova Scotia still have time to tell us what “We’re here because they survived…” means to you.

How to enter:
✍️ Write a short poem or story (¼ to ½ page maximum)
🎨 Create a piece of art
📹 Record a 1-minute video

Prizes: One winner from each of the 13 Mi’kmaw communities will receive a $25 Walmart gift card, Tajikeimɨk swag, and the 2025 Orange T-Shirt.

⏰ Deadline: Friday, September 19, 2025 at 4:30 pm
📩 Submit: taji@mhwns.ca or via Facebook Messenger

🧡 Psst… first sneak peek of the 2025 Orange Shirt below!

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this important reflection and win some prizes—get your entry in today!

09/10/2025

September 10 is ***dePreventionDay

Our Mi’kmaw communities know the deep impact su***de has on families, friends and communities.

According to the World Health Organization, around 727,000 people die by su***de every year, and many more will attempt to take their own lives. Su***de can affect anyone – any age, gender or background.

Struggling with your mental health or having thoughts of su***de can feel heavy and overwhelming. Those feelings are real, but you do not have to carry them alone. Support is out there and there are people who care about you.

📞Need to Talk? Please reach out to:
• Eskasoni Crisis: 1-855-379-2099
• Hope for Wellness Helpline: 1-855-242-3310
• Hope for Wellness Online Chat: www.hopeforwellness.ca
• Su***de Crisis Helpline : 9-8-8
• NS Mental Health Crisis Line: 1-888-429-8167

📗Check Out These Resources:
👉Not Su***de. Not Today. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trG8wdbRTB8
👉A Reminder: You Are Not a Burden: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Osn5QWefbig
📚Youth Tool Kit:https://thunderbirdpf.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Life-Promotion-Toolkit-WEB.pdf
🗓️Check out This FREE Online Event: https://su***deprevention.ca/events/world-su***de-prevention-day/