As an essential service, part of Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata’s COVID-19 response was the repurposing of our King Street location into a Rapid Testing Site (RTS) that provides the necessary community support services that are needed during this pandemic. Wrap-around supports include isolation planning, food support, traditional medicine, mental health supports and more.

Jackie Anderson, the Team Lead for both the RTS and the Vaccination Centre, was not surprised by the support that came from the community. “When Ma Mawi gets involved, everyone always steps up and gets things done,” she says. And did they ever step up. Besides a few existing employees, all other 23 staff were newly hired from the community, some of whom had been accessing our services in the past. “It was great to see how easy it was to have the community step up and be part of the Human Resource restore plan,” Jackie says. “We had so many that wanted to be a part of the solution. They really wanted to be a part of this village that is supporting our community.”

Check out this article featured on Shared Health:
A strong sense of community at Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata

A Special Thanks to our Partners and Funders:
  • First Nations Pandemic Response Coordination Team
  • Shared Health – Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
  • Aboriginal Health & Wellness Centre of Winnipeg
  • Ongomiizwin – Indigenous Institute of Health & Healing