Miskanawah (meaning “many little paths” in Cree) is an Indigenous-led charitable organization, grounded in cultural traditions and teachings, and has operated in Calgary for over 35 years. Miskanawah is a multi-service organization, offering programs and services in the areas of family support (ranging from prevention and early intervention to intervention), youth services, clinical and cultural mental health supports, crisis support, housing support, and cultural and ceremonial supports.

Mission
Guided by Indigenous teachings, Miskanawah offers culturally-based, supportive services to people in the Calgary area as they strengthen their circles of self, family, community, and culture.

Vision
Children, youth and families thrive within a culturally responsive community.

Values
Culture: Miskanawah is firmly grounded in Indigenous culture and strives to strengthen cultural identity for Indigenous people in the greater Calgary community by inviting the community to join us in Indigenous traditions ceremony and celebration. Miskanawah recognizes people are influenced by a variety of cultures every day and that culture is a fundamental part of our daily lives. As such, Miskanawah works to create an inclusive and supportive environment where people feel safe to learn, explore, and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of our staff and persons served.

Community: Miskanawah centers its practice in the establishment of community as a means of creating natural supports both as supplement to and when transitioning out of formal/professional supports. Staff work to create community by sharing resources, creating partnerships, and participating in gatherings, celebrations, and ceremony.

Respect: Miskanawah practices respect by honouring staff and client knowledge of themselves, encouraging the practice of honest and non-judgmental listening, and making space for cultural protocols from diverse backgrounds.

Trust: Miskanawah understands the responsibility of working with vulnerable populations, and seeks to meet and exceed that responsibility. Staff create and nurture trust by being reliable, responsive, and consistent with their colleagues and clients. Staff at all levels are encouraged to be innovative, express their ideas, and provide open and honest feedback.

Guided by the traditional teachings embedded within Wahkotiwin (Cree Natural Law of interconnection and kinship), our relationships and connections with those we serve are the foundation for the services we provide. Today, Miskanawah’s community and cultural offerings have grown beyond a Miskanawah specific strategy, to embody a Building Relatives strategy, where Miskanawah’s cultural resources, teachings and practices are relied upon heavily by our non-indigenous allies. Miskanawah has a strong reputation for being collaborators and leading a way that naturally creates ethical space between Indigenous and Western knowledge systems. We understand that true Reconciliation involves learning and engagement by all communities, in an environment that welcomes collaboration, intergenerational knowledge sharing, and relational accountability. Miskanawah invites relatives from diverse backgrounds to miskamaso (discover for yourselves) how we can walk alongside each other to enhance cultural connections, cultural understandings and Reconciliation within Moh’kinsstis.

For more information, visit our website: www.miskanawah.ca