The Mino-Bimaadiziwin program is a proven, Indigenous-led initiative dedicated to nurturing the well-being of students in your community. Our goal is to provide youth with culturally-grounded tools to build resilience and navigate life's challenges, fostering a balanced and good life (Mino-Bimaadiziwin).

This program was designed, developed, and delivered by an interdisciplinary team of Indigenous health and education professionals. We partner with schools to enhance the existing Ontario mental health curriculum through a culturally appropriate lens. Our approach involves partnering with your teachers, supported through co-facilitation by Indigenous health professionals.

Program Highlights

• Designed and delivered by Indigenous professionals.

• A 14-week program delivered directly in your school, blending virtual and in-person sessions to fit your schedule.

• Weaves together cultural teachings, traditional healing, and modern mental wellness strategies.

• Complements and enhances the Ontario Student Well-Being and Mental Health curriculum.

Proven Impact in First Nation Schools

A pilot program funded by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) during 2023-2025 has already shown significant positive outcomes.

• Over 1,000 on-reserve students regularly accessed culturally and contextually-appropriate mental health programming, exceeding the original target of 750.

• Teachers, administrators, youth, and families reported improvements in youth mental well-being and life-promoting behaviours.

• Students demonstrated greater confidence, self-regulation, and cultural connection. Teachers noted improved student well-being, increased engagement, and better classroom dynamics.

• Community leaders have recognized the program as a catalyst for long-term healing and empowerment.

"This program isn't just education-it's empowerment." - Facilitator

"Our school fully embraced this pilot, witnessing students develop essential skills in self-worth, emotional regulation, conflict resolution, and understanding grief and addictions." - Principal

How It Works

The Noojimo team and the selected Indigenous health professional(s) will collaborate with your school's principal and teachers to plan and deliver 14 hours of age-appropriate programming. The health professional(s) visit each classroom for two in-person sessions and provide virtual sessions in between, working with the existing class schedule.

Program Focus Areas

Our curriculum provides a culturally appropriate lens on key mental wellness topics for each grade level:

• Grade 1: Understanding and managing emotions and feelings.

• Grade 2: Understanding how emotions impact others and managing them with others.

• Grade 3: Understanding stressful feelings and managing stress and anxiety.

• Grade 4: Agency and consent, and exploring identities and belonging.

• Grade 5: Stigma, bullying, understanding alcohol and drug misuse, and the benefits of inclusion and respect.

• Grade 6: Situating oneself, managing conflict and the impacts of social media.

• Grade 7: Managing grief and loss, understanding addictions, healthy relationships and caring for others.

• Grade 8: Habits/routines for mental health, societal views and impacts of stigma, impacts of violent behaviour.

• Grade 9: Resilience, responding to bullying/harassment/racism, and when to seek help.

• Grade 10: Alcohol and drug misuse, healthy relationships, and planning life transitions.

• Grades 11/12: Resilience, supporting people with addictions, healthy relationships, and managing life transitions.

An Investment in Your Children's Future

We offer a year-long, school-wide partnership that provides 14 hours of specialized, culturally grounded mental wellness programming for every student. Depending on the school's size, number of classrooms, and location, this typically represents an investment between $500 and $1,000 per student per year.

Your investment includes:

• One or more dedicated Indigenous health professionals for your school.

• Classroom sessions are co-delivered with your teachers.

• In-person community visits and ongoing virtual support.

• All classroom resources and materials.

• Coordination with school leadership and staff.

We will partner with you to identify the best funding pathways, including braiding education and wellness funds, using community-directed investment, or forming partnerships between your Education Authority, Health Department, and Chief and Council.