"We are naturally outdoors people and getting that understanding and learning our history and our culture about all of the traditional medicine, the history of our land, our teachings, hunting, all of those areas that have been proven to be effective in mental health and addictions, this has been very impactful in our First Nations community."

Our guest this episode is Tim Ominika, Deputy Chief of the Wiikwemkoong First Nation on Manitoulin Island, and the new Stakeholder Coordinator at the Thunderbird Partnership Foundation.

In this fascinating and engaging conversation, host Sherry Huff and Tim discuss his work at ground level, combatting opioid and methamphetamine use, including making sure his community had health care workers and doctors willing to embrace traditional healing methods and ceremony, the importance of using a community based approach instead of just focusing on the individual, the role of connecting with the land in overcoming addiction, and more.

For more on the work of Thunderbird Partnership Foundation, please visit our website www.thunderbirdpf.org

and you can find us on social media by searching for ThunderbirdPF

Our theme music is by Courtney Riley, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation.

Mino Bimaadiziwin is produced by David McGuffin of Explore Podcast Productions and the Thunderbird Partnership Foundation.