Welcome to the Healthy Weights Connection news and events center. Our collaborative initiative connects families, health workers, researchers, and community organizations across London, Midland-Penetanguishene, and the Niagara Region to promote healthy active living and wellness among Indigenous children and youth. Explore our latest project announcements, community event schedules, research findings, and regional workshops designed to foster supportive environments and culturally grounded health programs.
While the Healthy Weights Connection Project wraps up in Niagara it gives us a great opportunity to look back at what the project has accomplished and hopes to leave in its wake.
Middlesex is a new resource that was created by Healthy Weights Connection and London’s Child and Youth Network with the help from several Indigenous organizations and community members. This resource was adapted from a similar resource that was created by the Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle.
October 18th marked the debut of Full Moon Ceremonies at Niagara Regional Native Centre. Ceremonies were facilitated by Kristin Tryer, a young Cree woman from Moose Factory, who has been training for Moon Ceremony for two years.
In October the Healthy Weights Connection London Site Coordinator, Alyssa Heil, teamed up with Kirsti Cheese, the Community Connector System Coordinator for the London Family Centres, to host a Networking Event for service providers who work with families in the London area.
On September 25th, Niagara Regional Native Centre hosted their 3rd annual Powwow at their Niagara-on-the-Lake property on Airport Road. The ‘Nurturing Our Roots’ Powwow was aimed at honouring the Indigenous adoptees that were displaced over the last half century, bringing adoptees and their families together to garner the love and support of the Niagara and adjoining communities.
Niagara groomed the room and brought in the biz! In an afternoon of fun, interactive engagement local Aboriginal and mainstream organizations were invited to ‘bring their fun hats to share their work hats’. In other words come share an afternoon of learning and sharing without it feeling like work.
This month Healthy Weights Connection London Site Coordinator, Alyssa, worked with several program coordinators who work with children from N’Amerind to implement “Rethink Your Drink”
Have you heard of the Baby Book Bundles? What a cool idea and such an awesome resource!
Fighting the winter Blue's with FREE activities for families.
An important part to living a healthy lifestyle is Physical Activity! Teachers and Coordinators of two alternative schools in London have recognized that this is a gap for their students.
“Run. Jump. Play. Every Day.”
On Monday December 7th 2015, about 120 members of the London Community gathered at the Western Fair to engage in the Healthy Kids Community Challenge (HKCC) Community Forum.
Providing children and families with access to healthy, FREE produce through community donation and partnership.
September 19 & 20th, 2015 marked the 7th Annual Museum of Ontario Archaeology Harvest Festival and Pow Wow.
Meet the new Healthy Kids Community Challenge (HKCC) Aboriginal Stream Project Manager for North Simcoe!
The Boys and Girls Clubs of North Simcoe and Healthy Weights Connection's Midland Site have been working closely over the last year incorporating cultural opportunities into their programming.
In May, the Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC) offered four workshops on topics related to plants and gardening. The goal of the workshops was to teach community members about planting
Mitch Baird, a Program Development Coordinator from the Southern Ontario Aboriginal Diabetes Initative came to speak at the Midland Cultural Centre on the importance of physical activity on April 23rd, 2015.
Healthy Weights Connection's: Connecting Our Youth Event on March 17th, 2015 at the Woodland Cultural Centre.
Creating Partnerships Event held on February 17th, 2015 at the Museum of Archeology in London, Ontario.
Sharing Our Successes was a great day to engage service providers who work with Aboriginal youth to enhance programs, share engagement skills and look to create healthier environments for youth. By bringing service providers together we hoped to connect them with others who may be experiencing similar successes and barriers to Aboriginal youth engagement.
Created in partnership with London's Child and Youth Network and local Indigenous community members to connect youth with cultural programs and recreational facilities.
Reflecting on multi-year health promotion goals, nutrition education kits, and community partner achievements across Ontario municipalities.
Upcoming regional workshops, physical activity workshops, and community partner meetings.
| Region / Community | Program / Event | Focus Area | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| London & Middlesex | Cultural Learning & Youth Wellness Gathering | Culture Card & Recreation | Open Community |
| Midland-Penetanguishene | Active Living Family Workshop | Physical Activity & Outdoors | Family Registration |
| Niagara Region | Nutrition & Traditional Foods Sharing | Healthy Eating Education | Community Partners |
| All Communities | Healthy Weights Research Knowledge Exchange | Policy & Community Impact | Public & Online |
Healthy Weights Connection strives to coordinate and improve existing community resources, build cross-sector partnerships, and establish culturally grounded healthy weights strategies for Indigenous children, youth, and families across Ontario.
Community groups, educators, and health practitioners can download toolkits, access evaluation reports, or contact our team directly through the resources directory and site contact page.
Visit our dedicated community sections for London, Midland-Penetanguishene, and Niagara Region to view local community calendars, partners, and active living initiatives.
