ON-NEIHR: Native Women's Resource Centre of Toronto (NWRCT) Report

ONTARIO NEIHR WEBINAR SERIES 2022/2023

Native Women's Resource Centre of Toronto (NWRCT) Report

Pamela Hart and Dr. Suzanne Stewart

October 26, 2022

11:00am to 12:00pm EST

Abstract: Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto (NWRCT) closed its doors to in person services and piloted several virtual and delivery programs in April 2020 designed to meet the needs of urban Indigenous women during the evolving Covid-19 pandemic including their wholistic health needs and those of their children. Given than many lessons have been learned and needs have been evolving through the pandemic as Toronto began reopening and recovering from pandemic restrictions and COVID-19, there was a need for NWRCT to create an evidence-based Indigenous response and recovery plan, which will document and evaluate the services that were provided during the pandemic and identify recovery and reopening needs and issues. This presentation outlines the process and results of an Indigenous evaluation of NWRCT’s pandemic services. The evaluation included a mixed methods approach using surveys and individual interview data, that was analyzed using an Indigenous narrative methodology. Some of the knowledge translations outcomes of this study include creating best practices for NWRCT during emergencies and developing an Indigenous model for pandemic response that includes services, and policy, with a focus on mental health and wellness.

Bio's:

Pamela Hart is Anishnawbe Kwe, Muskrat Clan, a member of the Chippewas of Georgina Island and a mother of one. She has worked on the front line for over a decade offering client care and support services to address issues such as addiction, mental health, violence against women, trauma, and homelessness. In her current role as Executive Director of Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto, she strives to contribute to healing through creating opportunities of reconnection to culture. She is humbled to learn from the community and to contribute to the agency offering empowering and uplifting programs and services. She sits at several community council tables, advocating and speaking on Indigenous Women’s programming, safety and wellness opportunities.

Dr. Suzanne L Stewart is from the Yellowknife Dene First Nation and is Director of the Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health/University of Toronto. She holds the TCP Chair in Aboriginal Health and works in Indigenous health and mental health with urban organizations.

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