Serpent River First Nation holds 39th Annual Health Fair

SERPENT RIVER FIRST NATION – What could be called the largest Health Fair on the North Shore of Lake Huron recently took place in Serpent River First Nation (SRFN), keeping a 39-year-old promise to provide almost a day-long information gathering for residents and visitors looking at maintaining and improving their health.

Over nearly four decades, the SRFN Health Fair has been a hub of discovery and learning for those attending. With the 39 years of experience putting on this major event in SRFN, the Kenabutch Health Centre did an amazing job or organizing the Fair attracting over 40 different groups and community partners, including health professionals offering sound advice on maintaining good health and living the good life.

Healthcare topics and exhibits covered included: children’s dental care, cardiac health, adverse health effects of smoking, elders’ care, mobility and recreation, Alzheimer awareness and support for individuals and families, eye care, mental health care, diabetes care, addictions, neo-natal care, family services, and many more.

The day-long information sessions featured displays from Za-geh-do-win Information Clearing House, one of the largest Indigenous collections of resources on health, healing, and family violence in Ontario.

Nogdawindamin Family and Community Services, a multi-service child welfare agency, offers both protection and prevention services and support to all members of the seven First Nations along the North Shore, Sault Ste Marie, and Sudbury on and off-reserve. At this year’s Health Fair, Nogdawindamin, with its mission of supporting Indigenous women and caregivers, emphasized the Neonatal Caring Services available to help women through their pregnancy and throughout the Binoojiiyag’s first 16 months of life.

Many of the groups participating continued their efforts to empower people to recognize the importance of an individual taking the path of meaningful responsibility for their health purposefully. By engaging attendees in demonstrations, screenings, and interactive booths, this approach to healthcare has been the hallmark of activity at the event over the Fair’s 39 years, and has been the defining trait characteristic of SRFN’s approach to educating community members and others.

Tracey Simon, the Mental Health Worker, had an engaging display set up, informing attendees of the mental health support available in the area. Simon provides compassionate and confidential support for individuals and families in the community. According to Simon, she can help by providing counselling and support for stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, grief, and many other challenges in life. She is there to offer guidance for parenting, family concerns, marital issues, and strengthening relationships.

The Mental Health Worker works with community programs and resources to promote wellness, prevent mental health challenges, and build stronger communities, she said.

Simon stresses to clients, “you are not alone,” by listening without judgment, providing a safe and confidential space where the client’s culture, values, and choices are respected. She is there to connect a client with the necessary resources and services to support their wellness journey. The Mental Health Worker, like the many other exhibitors, clearly illustrates that the community is a caring and compassionate community supporting wellness and strengthening their home community.