Health
supports
Supporting Inuit children and youth
Like you, we believe that everyone in Canada deserves access to top-quality medical care. Since 1997, OHSNI has worked daily to connect Northerners to vital, life-enhancing care. We are taking our support for Northern patients and their loved ones to the next level.
Child first initiative
As you may know firsthand, when a child or youth becomes ill or lives with a disability, the entire family is involved in care and needs support. Special needs require special supports, and that is where the Inuit Child First Initiative can assist.
Social supports
Educational supports
Travel and accommodation
The Inuit Child First Initiative provides an Inuk child and their family with the social and health supports that meet their unique needs. OHSNI can help you navigate the application process, just as we’ve helped navigate care journeys for more than two decades.
Maureen Kiglik says OHSNI’s assistance in applying for the Inuit Child First Initiative have given her family a second chance. Four of her six children require specialized care. And that means a lot of trips from their home in Iqaluit to Ottawa. Faced with splitting the family and leaving some of her children behind, Maureen credits OHSNI’s help for securing medical travels supports for the entire family.
“It removed a lot of stress. Growing up, I was left with people who hurt me. I’m not going to let anything happen to my children. I’m so happy and thankful.”
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Tina Kuniliusie of Clyde River, Nunavut applied to the Inuit Child First Initiative on behalf of her daughter Tijay, 12. Tijay cannot walk or talk. So, Tina hoped CFI could provide a wheelchair accessible van to make life easier for the entire family. She applied in April 2020 and received the van two months later. CFI later approved physiotherapy shoes and a walker for Tijay, who is smiling a lot more these days. A grateful Tina has this advice for other families:
“Look for support. Ask questions. There are organizations that want to support Aboriginal people. You get help. It’s very easy. Please reach out.”
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Let's get started!
Get in touch with us today to start a conversation about your family's
needs, and how the Inuit Child First Initiative can help.
Any questions? Email or call us.
Your needs drive our actions. You are at the heart of everything we do. Let’s work together for better care, and to help your child live their best life.