Supporting Métis families where they live – MNO expanding Community Wellness and Healthy Babies Healthy Children programs

April 22, 2025

More Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) citizens across Ontario will gain access to vital health and wellness services—ranging from one-on-one support to community workshops and culturally grounded programs—thanks to expanded funding support.

The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) is expanding its Community Wellness and Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) programs to reach more communities across the province. This growth is made possible through increased funding from the Indigenous Healing and Wellness Strategy, supported by the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services.

The funding has made it possible to hire five new Community Wellness Coordinators and three new HBHC Coordinators. Each program will also benefit from a dedicated supervisor, and a new HBHC manager will help ensure the program’s long-term success.

“Community Wellness and Healthy Babies Healthy Children are two key programs that help the MNO support the health and wellbeing of Métis individuals, families, and communities, as outlined in our Statement of Prime Purpose,” said Sharon Cadeau, Acting Provincial Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Seniors.

“We are grateful to the Indigenous Healing and Wellness Strategy for providing the enhanced funding for these programs and recognizing the importance of the work we do at the MNO to provide distinctions-based programming that enables us to better meet the needs of our citizens across the province.”

Timmins, Gravenhurst, Barrie, Toronto, and Kitchener have been identified as strong locations for the Community Wellness program, based on factors like local demand, population size, and access to services.

The HBHC program will expand to Barrie, Owen Sound, and Brampton, ensuring greater support for Métis families with children aged 0-6. These locations were identified due to high numbers of households with young children and the need for additional services to complement existing community programs.

“This funding increase allows us to reach more citizens and provide much-needed supports in new communities,” says Emily Paterson, Director of Community Wellbeing. “By enhancing these programs, we can ensure individuals and families are connected with culturally relevant resources that promote healthy living and strong Métis communities.”

The Community Wellness Program focuses on preventing family violence, promoting safe communities, and supporting overall wellbeing through education and outreach. Meanwhile, the HBHC program provides prenatal and postnatal care, parenting support, and early childhood development services tailored to Métis families.

Métis citizens can access these programs both in person and remotely, ensuring flexible and inclusive support.

For more information on MNO Community Wellbeing supports visit: https://www.metisnation.org/programs-and-services/community-wellbeing

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