North Shore Health Network & Nogdawindamin Family and Community Services Sign Protocol Agreement

Blind River, ON – In an event held at the North Shore Health Network (NSHN) Blind River Site on April 9, 2024, NSHN and Nogdawindamin Family & Community Services (Nogdawindamin) officially signed a protocol agreement, sealing their commitment to collaborative and responsible partnerships in the greater safety and protection of Anishnawbek children.

NSHN and Nogdawindamin will collaborate to ensure that all children are safe and receive appropriate, consistent services, respecting their families’ and their communities’ inherent authority to care for their children based on unity, traditions, values, beliefs and customs.

Nogdawindamin provides prevention and child welfare services to members of the 7 First Nation communities within NSHN’s catchment area, including residents who reside on and off reserves within the Algoma and Sudbury districts. The seven First Nations include: Batchewana First Nation, Garden River First Nation, Thessalon First Nation, Mississauga First Nation, Serpent River First Nation, Sagamok Anishnawbek and Atikameksheng Anishnawbeck.

This collaboration aims to improve cooperation, coordination and communication among all systems and professionals to ensure a consistent, effective and integrated response to child abuse and neglect grounded in Anishnawbek values.

“This agreement formalizes the existing relationship NSHN has had for many years with Nogdawindamin. It is an important opportunity to recommit ourselves to serving children and families across the North Shore in a culturally appropriate way, with the support of the team at Nogdawindamin” stated Tim Vine, NSHN President and CEO. “In addition to agreements with other Indigenous service providers, this protocol agreement, and the continued and strengthening relation it represents, helps move NSHN toward creating a culturally safe space for Indigenous patients, residents, and clients.”

“Our collaboration with North Shore Health Network marks a significant step towards ensuring the safety and protection of Anishnawbek children. By working together with NSHN, we are dedicated to providing culturally appropriate services that respect the inherent authority of families and communities to care for their children based on unity, traditions, values, beliefs, and customs. This partnership aims to enhance cooperation, coordination, and communication to offer a consistent and integrated response rooted in Anishnawbek values” stated Karen Kennedy, Senior Director of Services, Nogdawindamin Family and Community Services.