The intent of the UAHLP is to improve the health and well-being of the urban Indigenous people, before they develop health issues, such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease. The program was originally launched in 2006 and a physical fitness program for women, but was adopted as a permanently funded program in 2017 due to its success.
Program Goal
The Healthy Living program is designed to improve the health and wellbeing of urban Indigenous communities through the delivery of programs and services that provide access to culture-based health promotion activities. The Healthy Living worker will achieve this through partnering with other Friendship Centre programs and community agencies who also promote health and wellness.
Program Objectives
The four program objectives are as follows:
- Nutrition education and awareness activities to develop and support healthy eating practices
- Sport activities, physical fitness activities and physical recreation activities
- Commercial tobacco cessation, including vaping and e-cigarette; as well as rekindling traditional tobacco relationships
- Create opportunities for youth leadership and positive youth engagement with the community
Program Outcomes
- Increase community access to healthy nutrition, physical activity, and smoking cessation supports;
- Improve youth leadership skills and create opportunities for youth accessing Healthy Living services;
- Provide programs that meet the accessibility needs of the community including physical, familial, and time-oriented constraints;
- Develop positive working relationships with other health promotion agencies in their local community; and
- Collaborate and coordinate with other Friendship Centre programs for service provision to communities, such as Akwe:Go, Life Long Care, Alternative Schools, Health Outreach, etc.
Target Population
The Healthy Living target group is the urban Indigenous community across the lifespan. This means that the Healthy Living program can plan and deliver programs and services to any Indigenous person in the community. In addition, the Healthy Living program strives to improve workplace health. Therefore, the program must be made available to and accessible by Friendship Centre staff. This can be as simple as a planned series of “lunch & learns” or monthly walking challenges.
Services Offered
- Gym Nights
- Beading Program
- Mystery Ingredient
Services offered is subject to change on a quarterly basis
