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TURTLE TEAM
ABOUT THE TURTLE TEAM
Welcome to the Turtle Team! We are an Indigenous team dedicated to providing essential wrap-around support for First Nations relatives who find themselves away from home due to emergencies.
Our team, rooted in the principles of Honesty, Humility, Truth, Wisdom, Respect, Courage, and Love, is committed to delivering care with unconditional love.
Click the links to learn more about our services.
EVACUATION SUPPORT
The Turtle Team provides year-round emergency assistance for First Nation Communities evacuated due to pandemic, fire or flooding. The Team supports individuals with homelessness, health services access, maternal evacuation, long-term care, addiction treatment, mental health treatment, allied health services, dental and vision care, domestic violence support, and more.
Acknowledging the homelessness crisis, the Turtle Team is committed to supporting unhoused First Nations citizens by navigating housing processes, offering access to safe emergency housing transition support, and engaging in outreach efforts through the Mikinaak.
The Turtle Team works with all organizations to support First Nation community members.
CULTURAL SUPPORT
Our team offers cultural activities, including traditional teachings, traditional medicines, spiritual counseling, Bible study and sharing circle sessions. We provide access to ceremonies by negotiating appropriate space within the sites when necessary.
Our team also manages the tech lending program where clients are able to access, tablets that have services connected to Netflix & Disney Plus. This service is also critical for guests who do not have reliable ways to communicate with people back home, priority is given to guests with virtual medical appointments, and those participating in cultural programs.
Offers information and connects individuals with appropriate community services, resources, and professionals, while also providing referrals, support, guidance, and problem-solving to address family functioning issues.
ADVOCACY
The Turtle Team is a crucial advocate for community members. We ensure that needs are met by all partners and service providers, addressing complaints, concerns, and instances of racism or maltreatment. Our team maintains an environment of confidentiality, accountability, and collaboration with community members and supports all groups to find resolution.
The advocacy service identifies and addresses processes and policies that may harm community members and supports those who have experienced violence or trauma. Adopting a harm reduction approach, we work towards changing systems and policies that create harm, offering practical strategies for safer engagement in activities with potential risks.
FAMILY SUPPORT SOCIAL WORKERS / CHILD & YOUTH SUPPORT
Family Support Social Workers provide direct on-site care for individuals and families. This can be information and referrals to health providers, community-based agencies and programs, coordination of school materials for students, self-care packages, help to get ID, funding, housing, etc.
Family Support also responds to anyone in need of mental and emotional healthcare, offering private and group counseling and care planning with Partners, as well as providing and connecting with appropriate referrals.
Child & Youth Support provides caregiving services for infants, children, and young teens with prior arrangements by parents or caregivers.
Priority is given to families with urgent needs—in response to changes in health status. Childminders do their best to accommodate all families with service on a regular schedule.
Offers information and connects individuals with appropriate community services, resources, and professionals, while also providing referrals, support, guidance, and problem-solving to address family functioning issues.
MIKINAAK
SUPPORT
Mikinaak ensures safety at evacuation sites, offering support, monitoring occupancy, greeting new community members, and providing de-escalation and conflict resolution. The team also handles phone calls and mentors’ external security services, ensuring cultural safety.
THANK YOU, MIIGWETCH,
EKOSANI, WOPIDA, MAHSI
Last Updated: 2023-12-12