While the seeds for Mamow Ahyamowen were planted long ago, we came together formally in 2016. Read on to learn more about where we’ve been, and where we’re headed.
Starting in the spring of 2016,
the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority approached other First Nations organizations based in northern Ontario regarding a challenge they all shared: lack of access to meaningful, timely health data about the communities they serve. They applied for and were awarded funding to support an epidemiology alliance of seven organizations.
Early on in the winter of 2016, the group created and formalized its governance model, which involved a Steering Committee guided by a Terms of Reference. It also established ways to share information between the organizations and to support ongoing engagement.
Throughout the spring of 2017, the group began to explore partnership models. It also assessed internal and external data holdings that it may be able to use or access. It was at this time that participants learned about ICES, an independent non-profit organization that uses population-based health information to assess and improve the Ontario health system. ICES was deemed to be a promising option for this work.
Early in the fall of 2017, the group submitted an Applied Health Research Questions request to ICES for the Learning From Our Ancestors project. It also re-engaged First Nations served by the organizations to refamiliarize them with the analysis plan.
Around this time, the group also held its second face-to-face meeting in Sudbury. Elders and Knowledge Keepers in attendance named the group Mamow Ahyamowen. In Ojibwe, Cree, and Oji-Cree, this translates roughly to “everyone’s voices” or “working together”.
Throughout the Winter of 2017 leading into 2018, Mamow Ahyamowen focused heavily on funding. The original funding was extended, and one of the contributing researchers received an Early Researchers Award to work on Knowledge Translation and Exchange. The group also submitted a successful proposal for a grant through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
In the Summer of 2018, 59 out of the 74 First Nations served by Mamow Ahyamowen organizations at the time decided to participate in the Learning From Our Ancestors project.
In the fall of 2018, data analysis for the Learning From Our Ancestors project began! The analysis team was comprised of representatives from Mamow Ahyamowen and ICES. Together, they brought information back to the Steering Committee as needed.
Shortly thereafter, Mamow Ahyamowen commissioned a logo and visual identity to help solidify their branding and presence.
Early in 2019, the group held a face-to-face meeting in Thunder Bay. Support staff shared preliminary data from the Learning From Our Ancestors project with Steering Committee members for feedback. Based on what they learned, participants decided that the next projects should focus on injuries, chronic conditions, and mental health and addictions.
In the spring of 2019, building on their new logo and visual identity, Mamow Ahyamowen launched its website.
Around this time, Mushkegowuk Council joined the Alliance, bringing the total number of organizations served to ten.
Starting in June 2019 and lasting well into subsequent years, support staff shared findings from the Learning From Our Ancestors project with member organizations. This happened in a number of ways depending on the needs of the organization, such as presentations and press conferences.
In the fall of 2019, support staff created plain language plans for the new analysis projects. These were circulated among First Nations served by members organizations so they could make an informed decision as to whether they wanted to participate.
In February 2020, the Independent First Nations Alliance (IFNA) joined the Alliance, bringing the total number of member organizations to eleven, where it remains today.
In March 2020, Mamow Ahyamowen presented findings from the Learning From Our Ancestors project to the Ontario Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care. Shortly thereafter, staff and Steering Committee members gathered in Thunder Bay for a face-to-face planning meeting.
At the same time, many organizations were tracking the spread of SARS-CoV-2, known more commonly as “COVID-19”. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic. In the coming months and years, organizations’ priorities shifted to managing the pandemic and keeping communities safe. For this reason, a lot of the Alliance’s work was put on pause.
In the spring of 2020, support staff started working with ICES to further prepare for the forthcoming analysis projects.
After many extensions due to the pandemic, the deadline for First Nations to opt-in to the analysis projects was set for fall 2020. 66 out of 78 communities decided to participate. Support staff sent approvals to Chiefs of Ontario to formally begin the research process.
Shortly thereafter, Mamow Ahyamowen partnered with ICES to offer the Indigenous Health Data Training Program for the first time. The program was offered for staff at member organizations and communities served by the Alliance. Participants learned about how to navigate the ICES research process, empowering them to acquire health data that can support their work.
During the summer of 2021, the Steering Committee decided to redefine Mamow Ahyamowen’s relationship with Laurentian University. Support Staff and most of the Alliance’s funding would be moved to and hosted under the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority.
In the winter of 2022, Mamow Ahyamowen hosted a virtual event to engage youth. The one-day event featured workshops, panels, and presentations on the Alliance’s work, First Nations Data Sovereignty, and careers related to the health data cycle. Youth also shared the issues that mattered to them, which continue to inform the Alliance’s work moving forward.
Starting in the fall of 2022, Mamow Ahyamowen hosted a training opportunity on a data visualization software called Power BI. Over the course of 8 online sessions, the trainer taught support staff and participants from various organizations the basics of the data visualization software. Support staff have continued to use this software in their work, which has increased efficiency and enhanced their capacity for data visualization.
During the summer of 2023, Support Staff reviewed the first round of preliminary results from the Mental Health & Addictions project. Shortly thereafter, they reviewed preliminary data from the Chronic Conditions project. This was an exciting moment after many years of planning and delays.
In the fall of 2023, Mamow Ahyamowen hosted a capacity building event titled Telling Our Stories with Data in Thunder Bay. Attendees included Health Directors and staff from Mamow Ahyamowen organizations. Presentations and workshops focused on practical aspects of working with data as well as high level conversations around First Nations Data Sovereignty.
During the summer of 2024, Mamow Ahyamowen hosted Understanding Our Data Together: Chronic Conditions in Thunder Bay. Steering Committee members and other representatives from member organizations came together to collaboratively interpret data from the chronic conditions project, resulting in a richer and more nuanced understanding of the stories it tells.
