Tajikeimɨk - Mi'kmaw Health and Wellness

12/05/2025

We are delighted to welcome Abigail Binns to our team in the role of Mental Wellness and Healing Administrative Assistant.

The Mental Wellness and Healing Administrative Assistant supports the team by coordinating schedules, organizing meetings and events, managing daily administrative tasks, and assisting in building strong relationships across the L’nu’k Mental Wellness and Healing Framework.

Here is a note from Abigail:

“Kwe’, Teluisi Abigail Binns!

I am excited to join Tajikeimɨk as a Mental Wellness and Healing Administrative Assistant. I graduated from Mount St. Vincent University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications.

During my time at university, I was a student-athlete, playing soccer for five years and serving as captain in my final year. This experience instilled in me the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, both mentally and physically. Growing up, I spent time fishing, hunting, and trapping with my dad, which deepened my appreciation for nature at a young age. Additionally, I spent five years working alongside a member of the legislative assembly, gaining valuable experience that I look forward to bringing to Tajikeimɨk.

I am thrilled to bring my passion and skills to this role and contribute to the work at Tajikeimɨk.”

Please join us in welcoming Abigail!

12/03/2025

The Tajikeimɨk office in Millbrook is closed today, December 3, 2025, due to ongoing weather and road conditions ❄️
Our staff are working remotely.

12/02/2025

We are HIRING a‼️Mi’kmaq Indigenous Nurse Education Specialist ‼️for Western NS.

This 12-month term position (with the possibility of extension) will support the recruitment and retention of Mi’kmaq and Indigenous community members into nursing education and directly support the L’nu Nursing Strategy.

The L’nu Nursing Strategy aims to create a supportive and sustainable pathway for Mi’kmaw and Indigenous people to become leaders, researchers, educators, practitioners, and policy makers in the nursing profession in Nova Scotia by providing wrap-around nursing student supports and facilitating culture change within educational and practice settings.

This posting will remain active until the position is filled.
Details: https://mhwns.ca/job-postings/mikmaq-indigenous-nurse-education-specialist-western-ns/

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

12/02/2025

We are HIRING a‼️Mi’kmaq Indigenous Nurse Education Specialist ‼️for the Kjipuktuk (Halifax) area.

The Mi’kmaq Indigenous Nurse Education Specialist will support the recruitment and retention of Mi’kmaq and Indigenous community members into nursing education, and directly support the L’nu Nursing Strategy. The L’nu Nursing Strategy aims to create a supportive and sustainable pathway for Mi’kmaw and Indigenous people to become leaders, researchers, educators, practitioners, and policy makers in the nursing profession in Nova Scotia by providing wrap-around nursing student supports and facilitating culture change within the educational and practice settings.

This posting will remain active until the position is filled
Details: https://mhwns.ca/job-postings/mikmaq-indigenous-nurse-education-specialist-kjipuktuk-halifax-2/

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

12/02/2025

📢 Hey Cape Breton University Indigenous Nursing Students!

Need a quiet place to study for finals? Looking for support, guidance, or just a comfortable space to take a break between classes?

Head over to the Nursing Lounge! It is located in the Mawio’mi Room across from the Unama’ki College — and if you’d like to connect with Lucinda, our Mi’kmaq Indigenous Nurse Education Specialist, just reach out. She’s only a call or text away and can meet with you when she’s available on campus.

Here’s how Lucinda can support you:

🩺 Money & Health Support – help navigating bursaries, scholarships, dental plans, and health services.
📚 Academic Support – study strategies, tutoring options, and guidance on using campus resources — especially during exam season.
🪶 Culture & Community Connection – connecting with Elders, cultural supports, Indigenous events, and spaces where you can feel grounded and supported.
🚨 Not sure who to talk to? – if you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to go, Lucinda can help point you in the right direction.

She’s here to make your nursing journey easier — whether you need a study space, a listening ear, or help finding the right resources.

✉️ lucinda.googoo@mhwns.ca
📞 902.322.5185

Learn more about Tajikeimɨk’s Office of L’nu Nursing: https://mhwns.ca/programs/office-of-lnu-nursing/

11/28/2025

Health Standards Organization (HSO) recently launched a public review for the new National Standard of Canada for Cultural Safety and Humility. The standard sets out the requirements and accountabilities for governing bodies, organizational leaders, and teams in health and social service organizations to collaboratively design, deliver, and evaluate culturally safe services with and for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples and communities, and to address Indigenous-specific racism in service delivery.

Tajikeimɨk's Director of Mental Wellness and Healing, Nik Phillips, was one of 18 Cultural Safety and Humility Technical Committee members.

"These standards are a starting point to have conversations about safety, humility and integrity" - Nik Phillips

The development of the national Cultural Safety and Humility standard builds on the groundbreaking work of the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and the ...

11/28/2025

Our Nuji-Apoqnmuet (Mi’kmaw Helpers) are here to support patients and families when in the hospital— but please note this is not a 24/7 service.

Hours:
Halifax (QEII, IWK and Dartmouth General): Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Cape Breton: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Colchester and New Glasgow (Amherst as needed): Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon
Inverness and Antigonish (Baddeck as needed): Monday, 12 noon to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday to Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

We’re a small team, with some working part-time and covering large areas. We are doing our very best to be there when needed.

Want a visit from our Nuji-Apoqnmuet team? Call or email to let them know you’re there - they don’t have access to hospital admissions, so reaching out helps ensure you’re not missed!

For more information, visit our website to view the Nuji-Apoqnmuet FAQ sheet:
👉https://mhwns.ca/uploads/Nuji-Apoqnmuet-FAQ.pdf

Wela’lin (Thank you) for your patience and understanding.

11/21/2025

Friday, November 14, 2025, marked a special milestone for Tajikeimɨk as we held our first Board meeting under our new governance structure. It was a meaningful step forward in strengthening Mi’kmaw-led health and wellness—created and shaped by our values, our teachings, and our collective mission: Elukuti'kw wjit naji-wlo'ltinenew utanminal (we are working toward better health for all in our communities).

Our Board includes: the 13 Mi’kmaw Chiefs, Grand Chief and Kji-Keptin, the Regional Chief, District Chiefs, representatives from Health Directors, and our Executive Director.

We’re deeply grateful to the Board for their continued leadership, for sharing their voices, and continuing to walk this path with us, as we work to restore and protect the wellness of our people.

11/21/2025

Give the gift of smiles this holiday! 📚🎁

Our Weskewikwa’sit mijua’ji’j - Baby Smiles book qualifies for the Nova Scotia Loyal Voucher Program! Buy your copy at a participating bookstore and receive $10 off your purchase!

Even better – all proceeds go back into supporting the program, so every copy you buy can help make a difference.

Get your voucher for Weskewikwa’sit mijua’ji’j - Baby Smiles at these local bookstores:

📗 Good Dog Books – 724 King St, Bridgewater
📘 Block Shop Books – 125 Montague St, Lunenburg
📕 Bookmark II – 5686 Spring Garden Road, Halifax
📙 Woozles – 6013 Shirley St, Halifax
📗 Tattletales – 114 Woodlawn Plaza Rd, Dartmouth
📘Carrefour Atlantic Emporium and the Puffin Gallery – 1869 Upper Water St, Halifax
📕 Open Book Coffee – 3660 Strawberry Hill St, Halifax

🔗To learn more about the voucher program, visit: https://nsloyal.ca/en

**Vouchers are valid until February 28, 2026, or while supplies last.

11/18/2025

The third Tuesday of November is National Grief & Bereavement Day.

Today, we honour the shared journey of loss and healing in our communities.

We all experience grief. For our Mi’kmaw communities, grief can take many forms: losing someone we love, feeling the effects of intergenerational trauma, growing apart from friends or family, or experiencing quiet losses that are not always visible to others.

During these times, our communities come together – sharing food, gathering on the land, supporting one another and taking part in ceremony.
You don’t have to face grief alone.

Contact your local Health Centre to learn about programs, gatherings or other supports available in your community. You can also:
📞Call 211 (toll-free: 1-855-466-4994)
🌐Visit ns.211.ca and search for “grief support”
🔗Visit: https://nshpca.ca/services/

11/14/2025

November is 🫁

Early detection saves lives.

Nova Scotia Health offers a Lung Cancer Screening program. Community members living in Paqtnkek, Potlotek, We'koqma'q, Wagmatcook, Eskasoni, Membertou and the Halifax Regional Municipality can access the program.

We will update our website as the program becomes available to more communities across Nova Scotia – check back often for the latest information!

Check out our Lung Cancer Brochure to learn more about the risks and symptoms of lung cancer, and how to access the program!

🔗Visit:https://mhwns.ca/uploads/LungCancer.pdf



Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation Potlotek First Nation We'koqma'q Community Site Eskasoni Health Centre Membertou Community Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre Wasoqopa'q First Nation Annapolis Valley First Nation Glooscap First Nation Site Sipekne'katik First Nation Millbrook First Nation Health Centre Pictou Landing First Nation Health Centre

11/13/2025

Today, the Tajikeimɨk Mental Wellness team gathered with community organizations and community experts to formally establish the L’nu’k Mental Wellness Advisory Circle.

Together, we are building a collective path forward guided by culture, ceremony, community voices, and a shared responsibility—strengthening intergenerational wellness for all Mi’kmaq living in Nova Scotia.

This Circle represents partnership, accountability, and the commitment to creating the conditions Mi’kmaq need to heal, flourish, and thrive.