In 2024, the Indigenous Pattern Library continued its mission to preserve and represent the diverse design traditions across Turtle Island. This year saw significant growth, with 18 patterns reproduced from the territories of Aaniiih (Gros Ventre), Kainai (Blackfoot), Kaw (Kansa), Mi’kmaq, Miami, Mississauga, Kahnawá:ke (Mohawk), Nʉmʉnʉʉ (Comanche), Syilx (Okanagan), Piikáni (Blackfoot), Saginaw (Chippewa), Shawnee (Oklahoma), Stó:lō, Kitigan Zibi (Algonquin), and Plains Cree. This brings the library’s total to an impressive 127 patterns.
The library’s development is rooted in principles of respect, integrity, and sovereignty, ensuring that every pattern is handled with cultural care. These designs are reproduced from historical references or directly submitted by Indigenous artists and communities, each carrying a rich cultural narrative unique to its origin. Whenever possible, Thunderbird matches patterns to individuals’ home territories, fostering a deeper connection between people and the designs they work with.
At the heart of the pattern library’s growth is Thunderbird’s unwavering commitment to the First Nations Principles of OCAP®—Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession. This approach safeguards the rights and cultural sovereignty of Indigenous communities. Artists and their communities retain full ownership of their designs, and every reproduction process is governed by informed consent, transparency, and respect for cultural protocols.
Each pattern represents more than just a design—it’s a story, a history, and a connection to the land and people who created it. By working closely with Indigenous artists and communities, Thunderbird ensures that these patterns remain true to their origins while being celebrated in a respectful and meaningful way. For patterns predating 1900, Thunderbird strives to connect historical designs to their communities whenever possible, acknowledging the limitations of incomplete records.
The Indigenous Pattern Library is more than a collection; it is a living archive of culture, art, and identity. As the library grows, so does its capacity to serve as a resource for education, advocacy, and cultural preservation. Thunderbird is proud to continue this important work, standing alongside Indigenous communities to amplify their voices and celebrate their artistry.
To learn more about the Indigenous Pattern Library, including how to submit artwork or request reproductions, contact communications@thunderbirdpf.org.
Thunderbird’s Regional Mental Wellness Coordination team is growing! We now have Regional Mental Wellness Coordinators in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba along with a National Coordinator. The Regional Mental Wellness Coordination team works in partnership with First Peoples Wellness Circle to increase capacity of First Nations across Canada.
Policies
Internal policies and guiding documents are continually updated to ensure that Thunderbird remains a centre of excellence. This year, we introduced the Indigenous Identification policy, the purpose of which is to vet and verify the Indigenous identity of candidates who apply to work at Thunderbird. This better ensures the cultural safety of the organization.
Hybrid Work
On August 1st, 2024, onsite staff began pilot testing a new hybrid work arrangement. The pilot proved successful with staff citing that they found improvement in their work/life balance and an increase in their job satisfaction. In response to the success of the pilot, Thunderbird has continued with the hybrid work arrangement and will continue to implement changes that boost employee satisfaction.
New Human Resources Information System Upgrade
Internal processes have been streamlined at Thunderbird with the introduction of a new human resources information system. The system allows staff to track their work hours and manage time-off requests with greater ease as balances for each time off category are available in one location. The approval process is done with a click of a button.
The recruitment process is also streamlined now with all records and correspondence made through the software. Both standard and customized reports are also easily available through the new system. Although there were some challenges with the introduction of the system to align with Thunderbird’s unique needs, overall its comprehensive platform has improved our internal processes.
Standard Operating Procedures
Thunderbird is also undertaking an organization-wide update to standard operating procedures (SOPs) with the goal of improving work efficiency and inter-team collaboration. At Thunderbird’s staff retreat in February 2024, teams identified standard operating procedures which needed to be created and have since taken the initiative to ensure that all staff have a reference for how to complete processes in the same way. With the implementation of SOPs, Thunderbird’s processes are becoming more organized, accessible and transferable.
Thunderbird’s Addictions Management Information System (AMIS) continues to grow, helping communities across Canada strengthen their addiction services through better data tracking and reporting. Since April 2024, we’ve seen meaningful progress in onboarding communities, engaging organizations, and supporting programs as they move toward accreditation.
The journey began with outreach efforts to 17 communities across six provinces. Initial presentations and webinars introduced AMIS to organizations in Saskatchewan, Alberta, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, and New Brunswick. Seven organizations are now in discussions with their teams and leadership about adopting AMIS, and three additional groups are exploring implementation after attending webinars. To support these efforts, Thunderbird has sent five data-sharing agreements, which are awaiting signatures.
Since April, 10 communities have fully onboarded AMIS, bringing the total number of engaged communities to a new milestone. The newly onboarded groups include:
The AMIS network continues to expand, connecting more individuals and organizations committed to strengthening addiction services across Canada. Currently, 42 Indigenous Treatment Centres and 15 Indigenous Community Organizations are actively using AMIS, bringing the total to an impressive 57 participating groups.
To support these organizations, AMIS now serves a growing community of 612 licensed users, each equipped with the tools to enhance data tracking, streamline reporting, and support evidence-based decision-making. This collective effort reflects the growing confidence in AMIS as a cornerstone of addiction service management nationwide, helping to build capacity and improve outcomes for Indigenous communities.
Accreditation has also been a focus of our efforts. Five communities have already reached this important milestone, demonstrating readiness and alignment with AMIS’s best practices. These accredited communities include:
Meanwhile, seven of the onboarded communities have already earned accreditation, including British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick. Others are actively working toward this goal, including two in Saskatchewan and one in Alberta.
A significant part of this expansion has been improving accessibility. In July 2024, all AMIS-related documents were updated to reflect the latest best practices. By August, these resources were translated into French, enabling Thunderbird to connect with 26 additional community health organizations, including NNADAP centers, health agencies, and child and family services. This effort opened the door to meaningful discussions with these organizations, inviting them to explore how AMIS could support their goals.
Through these efforts, AMIS continues to bridge gaps in addiction services, empowering communities to improve outcomes and foster stronger support systems. With every new organization that joins, we move closer to creating a network of services that uplift and strengthen First Nations communities across the country.
The Native Wellness Assessment (NWA) continues to expand its impact, offering a culturally grounded tool to measure wellness across mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. This year has seen growing interest and new opportunities for its implementation.
Currently, six organizations have attended initial meetings to explore adopting the NWA, and data-sharing agreements are in process with three additional groups. A significant milestone in 2024 includes the initiation of discussions with a federal government agency to integrate the NWA into a nationwide Indigenous program. This effort aims to bring culturally responsive wellness measurement tools to communities across Canada.
The reach of the NWA is also expanding internationally. In January, the Little Traverse Band of Odawa Indians Tribal Court in Michigan onboarded the tool, joining another organization from Minnesota, USA. These partnerships mark an exciting step in introducing the NWA to Indigenous communities beyond Canadian borders.
With its proven ability to connect cultural practices to wellness outcomes, the NWA is poised to continue making meaningful contributions to Indigenous health and wellness programs.
The spirit of the work that guided First Nations comes through in ways of kindness, caring and respect. And it is in this way Thunderbird and First Peoples Wellness Circle continue to work together to build a vision for a comprehensive continuum of services and support to guide and strengthen community, regional and national mental wellness capacity. We know that strong connections are the basis for wholistic approaches to wellness, and for aligning collective regional responses to support community wellness and address substance use. We acknowledge the commitment to mental wellness and the hard work across the regions to secure culture as the foundation for First Nations mental wellness.
We are paving the way forward with a new team that brings extensive knowledge and a deep, ongoing commitment to the communities they represent. This year, Thunderbird welcomed Regional Mental Wellness Coordinators from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Their efforts are being guided and supported by our National Mental Wellness Coordinator.
Priorities for the Regional and National Mental Wellness Coordinators are establishing relationships in regions, mapping out regional mental wellness and substance use services and supports, engaging the regions in national initiatives to establish a Mental Wellness Workforce Association, understanding regional priorities and needs, supporting the development of standard treatment modules, and developing regional drug strategies. For example, the Regional Mental Wellness Coordinators worked together to support one region in developing a model of care for substance use. From that, a template for a Model of Care for Substance Use is being finalized to facilitate working with other First Nations communities and regional entities. This work is an opportunity for communities to facilitate discussions to design community-based approaches to address the drug crisis and more long-term approaches to honouring our strengths and mental wellness.
The National Mental Wellness Workforce Association is a collaboration between Thunderbird and First Peoples Wellness Circle that promotes core competencies drawn from the First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum (FNMWC) framework. A central function of the association is a core competency framework that is structured with an overall descriptive statement, key knowledge, skills and behaviors for the workforce supporting mental wellness for First Nations. Last year, Thunderbird shared a link to a survey to invite contributions to shape the core competency statements to ensure that culture as the foundation was a starting point, which is a key theme of the FNMWC framework.
Development of the competency framework began in 2023 with an online survey. This was followed in 2024 by a series of roundtable discussions with potential member workforces such as treatment centre staff, day school health supports, crisis response teams, health managers, and community based First Nations health and wellness workers (e.g., Resolution Health Support Workers). The discussions focused on the broad competency themes of culture, trauma, harm reduction, substance use and mental health, service components, and populations.
These engagements provided insights and reflections that helped develop an annotated list of 39 core competencies.
In February 2024, Thunderbird hosted a world café activity on the 39 core competencies at the National Treatment Gathering and collected participants’ feedback on the knowledge, skills, and behaviour required- as well as perspectives from front line workers and supervisors/ managers- for each competency.
In June 2024, the results from the three engagements were synthesized into a draft report and shared with First Peoples Wellness Circle to help develop the program for their mental wellness summit held in Calgary in October 2024.
The next step will be to integrate all insights gathered to define and refine the core competencies. In this, the aim will be to answer additional questions raised during the various engagement activities, such as:
Answers to these questions, combined with the insights gained, will guide the project’s next phase that includes developing a guiding framework for standards and scope of practice, governance, ethics, and regulatory aspects.
The anticipated completion date of the workforce guiding framework document is September 2025.
Background: BIRCH – Bundles of Interventions, Resources, and Cultural Hub – is a hub of virtual mental wellness and addictions resources grounded in First Nations culture and communities. The BIRCH website features curated self-guided content and resources related to adult, youth, and family First Nations addictions treatment centres; and general self-management, mental wellness, substance use, and local health and support information intended for First Nations communities. It will support an internal resource hub for First Nations addictions treatment centres to connect, share programming content, best and wise practices, policies, and procedures. Templates and specific curriculum content will be available for treatment centres to apply and adapt within their own virtual treatment programming.
Thunderbird is currently reviewing sample virtual addictions treatment programming which will be available for treatment centres to customize and implement as part of their virtual treatment programming for pre-treatment, brief intervention, aftercare, as an aide with in-person programming, and general harm reduction. Actionable templates and guides (sample virtual addictions treatment program) are currently drafted and will be broken up and reviewed during these discussions. The templates are designed to be actionable as a self-guided program or facilitated by treatment centre staff. The template content (hand-out based) will be adapted and modified by each treatment centre. All delivery and related programming support will be managed by the treatment centre implementing the template. Additional resources include guides to support upload of template content onto learning management system platforms, resources to support broader applications in eHealth, previously collected resources to support virtual treatment program delivery.
Timelines:
If folks are interested in reviewing any of the content, providing feedback or learning more about the project, email Kate Turner (kturner@thunderbirdpf.org).
What is it and what does harm reduction mean? First Nations reduce the harm to family and community when they support harm reduction for people who use drugs and alcohol. For example, when people who use drugs are not shamed or scolded for their use, they are more likely to look for support for recovery. When people who use alcohol have access to a managed alcohol program, they are more likely to stay alive. When people who use drugs can access drug checking tests, they are less likely to die from poisoned drugs. These are examples of harm reduction. These same measures also have an effect on family and community. For example, when a mother knows her children are using drugs and wishes they would stop using, she is very thankful they are still breathing because they could test their drugs, instead of planning for their burial. Harm reduction saves lives!
There is growing understanding among First Nations of the value of reducing harms for people who use or misuse substances or alcohol to survive every day. According to a national survey of First Nations people (N1792), 84% of adults agreed that people who cannot stop using opioids and methamphetamine have a right to receive treatment (Thunderbird, 2022). First Nations understand that reducing harms to family and community is possible by protecting the sacred breath of life!
The Sacred Breath of Life is also the name of Thunderbird’s harm reduction education campaign. The campaign included an APTN television series produced by Nation Talk, a social media campaign, online resources, and print materials. The name of the campaign came directly from First Nations evidence in the stories of origin. It is said the Great Spirit gave to First Nations our breath and it is therefore sacred. Our breath enables us to fulfill our purpose on this earth.
Change is possible as long as we have breath. Recovery is not possible if we are no longer living. Invest in the belief that family and community are medicine! Everyone has the right to live life with support!
Thunderbird’s faculty of Regional Trainers continues to expand through delivery of the Train the Trainer (TTT) program. Eleven Regional Trainers have achieved Level 1 certification (June-November) in one of five TTT courses through either, co-facilitating virtual training with Thunderbird’s Training and Education team or offering in-person community-based training with the support of other Regional Trainers. Newly certified trainers are located in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario.
Thunderbird’s current Train the Trainer Courses:
In the spring of 2025, Thunderbird’s Trauma Informed Approaches in Our Work: From Understanding to Practice with Indigenous Perspectives TTT will be delivered. Training programs are designed to facilitate the Indigenous Wellness Framework outcomes of Hope, Belonging, Meaning, Purpose and to support First Nation communities with implementation of the First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Framework (2015) and Honouring Our Strengths: A Renewed Framework to Address Substance Use Issues Among First Nations in Canada (2011).
Virtual Instructor Led Training (VILT) increases stakeholders’ access to Thunderbird’s platform of accredited training. VILT’s are inclusive of five-day Train the Trainer and Program Facilitator training plus a range of two to three–day training course options. Between April and December 2024, Thunderbird delivered a total of 23 VILT training courses.
Alberta – Thunderbird used a hybrid model for training delivery to support a Regional Trainer in Alberta whose organization requested a three-day Land for Healing in-person training. Two Training and Education team staff joined the training virtually to co-facilitate along with the Regional Trainer.
Ontario – Three Ontario Regional Trainers responded to a First Nations Tribal Council request and delivered an in-person Community Crisis Response training.
Saskatchewan – First Peoples Wellness Circle Regional Trainers delivered a three-day First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum training for mental wellness team staff in Saskatchewan.
Thunderbird’s annual National Training Calendar identifies weeks that each region can request one in-person training.
Members of the Training and Education team recently travelled to the Yukon and New Brunswick to deliver Community Crisis Response (CCR) training:
Winter 2025:
There are nine weeks of training delivery scheduled for January through March 2025.
Link: https://thunderbirdpf.org/training-calendar
The 2024-2025 calendar is available on our website by clicking on the link above or on our Community of Practice.
The 2025-2026 National Training Calendar is being released in January 2025.
The training calendar includes
Thunderbird and First Peoples Wellness Circle have been working to develop a youth council with representatives from across the country. This year, the Ways of the Heart Youth Council (WHYC) came to life as a national, Indigenous youth-led initiative dedicated to promoting mental wellness and cultural leadership among youth. The Council had its first in-person meeting earlier this year and has continued to meet monthly. WHYC provides a platform for Indigenous youth to share their voices, build connections, and advocate for culturally rooted mental wellness solutions.
In October 2024, WHYC participated in a national gathering on Indigenous mental wellness. The council facilitated youth-led discussions, allowing youth to share their experiences and insights. Key discussions included equitable access to culturally relevant mental wellness services, integrating traditional practices, and the role of youth leadership. These conversations informed WHYC’s priorities, which include supporting cultural connections, addressing barriers to wellness, and creating safe spaces for youth support.
WHYC continues to seek new members to expand representation across Canada. The council is currently recruiting youth from Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island, Yukon, and New Brunswick. Indigenous youth aged 18–29 who are passionate about mental wellness are encouraged to apply.
Thunderbird invites you to follow WHYC on Instagram (@waysoftheheartyc) to stay updated on the Council’s work and to support Indigenous youth through leadership and youth community connection.
The Training and Education team has developed new micro-knowledge exchange tools to be shared on Thunderbird’s virtual platforms in winter 2025. Knowledge exchange resources are developed from Thunderbird training curriculum content and the Honouring Our Strengths: A Renewed Framework to Address Substance Use Issues Among First Nations in Canada (HOS), Indigenous Wellness Framework (IWF) and First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum framework (FNMWC).
Over the past year, Thunderbird has made tremendous progress in developing the new version of its Thunderbird Wellness App. This innovative tool is designed to help users deepen a relationship with their whole selves—body, mind, heart, and spirit—while strengthening connections to culture, community, and creation.
Drawing inspiration from the stories of creation across Turtle Island, the app is grounded in the idea that peace is a gift from the Great Spirit. The tools within the app aim to help users connect with this gift by encouraging reflection on foundational questions: Where do I come from? Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going?
The app offers a range of culturally responsive features to guide users on their wellness journey:
Through these tools, users can explore connecting with their emotions and find peace through recognizing and celebrating their inherent strength.
The app is currently in internal testing, with a full launch planned for the spring. Thunderbird invites community members to participate in testing during the upcoming soft launch—keep an eye on our social media channels for details on how to get involved and share your feedback!
Together, we are creating a resource that not only supports emotional wellness but also strengthens connections to culture and identity, helping users find balance, meaning, and belonging in their lives.
Thunderbird Partnership Foundation continues to distribute naloxone kits to First Nation communities and treatment centres in partnership with Emergent. Orders continue to come through Thunderbird’s order form while Emergent stores and ships the kits on behalf of Thunderbird. Since April 1, 2024, Thunderbird has distributed 3,660 naloxone kits to 44 First Nations and treatment centres. The naloxone distribution program will continue to support First Nations and treatment centres, and orders can be made of up to 100 kits per order.
| Month | Conference | Tradeshow |
| May | First Nations Health and Wellness Summit, Vancouver | Yes |
| 6th Annual BC Substance Use Conference, “From Ideas to Implementation”, Vancouver | Yes | |
| June | Northern Regional Caucus Spring Conference, Prince George, BC | Yes |
July | AFN AGA: Strengthening Our Relations, Montreal | Yes |
| Northern Regional Caucus, Prince George | Yes | |
| World Indigenous Suicide Prevention Conference (WISPC), Niagara Falls, NY | No | |
| August | FSIN Traditional Health Gathering, Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man First Nation | Yes |
| September | Keewatin Tribal Council – NNADAP Conference, Winnipeg | Yes |
| Indigenous Women’s Gathering, Prince George | Yes | |
| October | National Summit on Indigenous Mental Wellness, Calgary | Yes |
| FPWC Mental Wellness Summit, Tsuut’ina First Nation, Alberta | Yes | |
| Treaty 8 NNADAP Workers Summit, Jasper, Alberta | Yes | |
| November | AFN Homelessness and Mental Wellness Forum, Vancouver | Yes |
| First Nations Health Managers Association Annual Conference, Calgary | Yes | |
| ISC Ontario Joint Summit, Toronto | Yes | |
| Dialogue for Life Conference, Montreal | Yes |
Thank you for taking the time to read our winter newsletter. The stories, updates, and achievements we’ve shared in these pages are a testament to the strength and resilience of our community. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our team, the trust of those we serve, and the guidance of our partners and supporters.
As we close this chapter of the year, we look ahead with gratitude and renewed determination to continue building pathways of healing, wellness, and Belonging. Together, we are stronger, and it is through collaboration and shared purpose that we can continue to make meaningful change.
From all of us, including our Board of Directors, we wish you a season filled with connection, warmth, and Hope. May the coming months bring opportunities to nurture one another and honor the spirit of community that unites us all.
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Phone: (519) 692-9922
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E-Mail: info@thunderbirdpf.org
© 2024, Thunderbird Partnership Foundation (National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation Inc.)
