Program Overview

Medicine Bear Counselling, Support and Elder Services will provide families of Missing and Murdered women, girls, and Two-Spirited Beings the opportunity to heal from complicated grief and trauma within a culturally safe and supportive environment.

Medicine Bear Counselling, Support and Elder Services was developed at the request of the families of Missing and Murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirited Beings in partnership with others, including Manitoba Justice’s Victim Services and the Department of Justice Canada.

Medicine Bear Philosophy

Medicine Bear Counselling, Support, and Elder Services builds on the strengths and resilience of families that have been impacted by the tragic loss of missing and murdered loved ones. We incorporate traditional ways of healing as well as Western methodologies.

Medicine Bear Counselling, Support, and Elder Services philosophy is based on the Anishinaabe Sacred Seven Teachings:

  • Respect: Maanaji”’iwin: to honour all Creation is to have respect
  • Love: Zaagi’idiwin: to know love is to know peace
  • Wisdom: Gikendaasowin: to cherish knowledge is to know wisdom
  • Courage: Zoonigide’ewin: to face the foe with integrity
  • Honesty: Gawegaatisiwin: to face a situation is to be brave
  • Humility: Dabasenimowin: to know yourself as a sacred part of Creation
  • Truth: Debwemowin: to know all of these things

Services provided include:

  • Individual, family, and crisis-counselling sessions
  • Developing support with weekly circle check-ins
  • Referrals and advocacy
  • Support within the Justice System, Child and Family Services, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and other Agencies
  • Elder Support Services (when requested)
  • Traditional Ceremonies and Teachings
  • Training and workshops
  • Mediation services for families, police and justice officials

A comprehensive Tool Kit of information to assist families of Missing Persons and Persons at Risk is available through the Medicine Bear Counselling, Support, and Elder Services program at Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc.

It is available for download here.

For More Information, Please Contact:

Phone (within Winnipeg): (204) 953-5820
Phone (outside Winnipeg): 1-888-953-KANI (5264)

If you would like to download a copy of the form for printing and fax submisssion, please click here.

Email: medicinebear@kanikanichihk.ca

Funders

Medicine Bear Counselling, Support, and Elder Services is funded with assistance from the Government of Canada, the Department of Justice and Manitoba Justice.