OUr Story
Atlohsa Family Healing Services
Atlohsa Family Healing Services
Atlohsa Family Healing Services is a non-profit, charitable organization in southwestern Ontario, dedicated to providing women, men and children and youth the tools, teachings and resources supporting the journey to wellness.
Our Beginnings
Atlohsa was founded in 1986 as an outgrowth of a Needs Assessment Survey, which indicated a severe need for family violence services catered specifically to First Nations communities to promote the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs of First Nations women, men and children.
A follow-up survey in 1991 revealed that 90% of First Nations women had been physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually abused by former or current partners. And 63% were still being abused at that time. Today, Indigenous women in Canada are 2.5 times more likely than non-Indigenous women to be victims of violence and six times more likely to be killed than non-Indigenous women.
Who We Are
MISSION
Atlohsa Family Healing Services is a non-profit, charitable organization, dedicated to strengthening community through Indigenous-led programs and services that offer holistic healing and wellness.
VISION
A community where all people have access to the resources they need to live a balanced life – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
VALUES
Our approach to holistic wellness is rooted in the Seven Sacred Grandfather Teachings and the Medicine Wheel Teachings.
In addition, we honour the following values:
Acceptance: Meeting people where they are at in their healing journey, without judgement.
Safety: Providing a safe space for community members, ensuring a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach.
Family: Acknowledging the unique role and contribution of all members of the family, throughout the life span.
Empowerment: Holding space for each community member to take leadership in their own healing journey, in their own time.
Integrity: Upholding our commitment to community with the greatest responsibility and accountability.
The Story - BEHIND THE LOGO
The Circle of Honor – The outer circle represents the caring and love within the Anishinaabe family and that this circle must not be broken.
The three feathers on the outside of the circle represent strength and honor within the Anishinaabe family unit.
Within the circle stands the two most important members of the Anishinaabe family. Without these two members, the circle would surely be broken.
Also, within the circle, lies a child who with care and spiritual guidance will grow to continue the circle.
The floating feathers remind is that we as Anishinaabe, must also honor our elders. Without them, there would be no circle to continue.
Looking for ways to support?
Please consider making a gift to Atlohsa Family Healing Services’ most essential needs.