Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre, located on Agency One land in the heart of the Southern Region of Treaty #3 territory, is the result of a unique partnership between area First Nations, the United Native Friendship Centre and the Sunset Country Metis.
Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre proudly services these ten First Nation communities of the Southern Treaty #3:
• Couchiching First Nation
• Seine River First Nation
• Gakijiwanong Anishinaabe Nation
• Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation
• Rainy River First Nations
• Naicatchewenin First Nation
• Mitaanjigamiing First Nation
• Mishkosiminiziibiing First Nation
• Anishinaabeg of Naongashiing First Nation
• Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation
The United Native Friendship Centre plays a pivotal role in providing social, cultural and recreational programs and services to both on reserve and urban Indigenous people of the area. The Friendship Centre offers a wide variety of social, cultural and recreational programming to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people of the area. These programs and services include Adult Literacy, Addictions Counseling, Criminal and Family Courtworker, Aboriginal Family Support, Children and Youth Programming, Community based Long Term Care as well as cultural retention initiatives.
The Sunset Country Metis is a community-based organization dedicated to furthering the social, economic, cultural and educational needs of the areas Metis population. Programs and services include Healing & Wellness, Education & Training, Housing & Infrastructure, Lands, Resources & Consultations, Intergovernmental Relations, and Economic Development.
It is estimated that the total on reserve population of the Southern Treaty #3 region is approximately 2,600. The off-reserve population including status, non-status, Metis & Inuit is approximately 3,200.
The area First Nations, Friendship Centre and Metis have all contributed to the rich and vibrant native culture that exists in the Southern region of the Treaty #3 territory. The summer months alive with the beat of traditional drums, songs and the sound of Indigenous dancers celebrating the life that the creator has given to us all.