Ojibway for “To pull through and survive (the sacred journey), ” Marymound’s newest program, run in partnership with the Southern First Nations Network of Care, Ji-zhaabwiing is a co-ed assessment facility comprised of two units (five bedrooms in each) that receives children between the ages of 7-12 and 13-17.

A bedroom at Ji-zhaabwiing

Its main purpose is to support in-depth planning and to care for the young people until arrangements are made for suitable placement. Many of these children have lived in many different places in their young lives and Ji-zhaabwiing is a place where we can better make recommendations for their future.

By uniting resources such as the Health, Education and Justice Departments and Child and Family Services organizations under one roof, we will be able to effectively and efficiently address the challenges faced by children in our care.

Based on the spirit and intent of the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry – Child Welfare Initiative, Ji-zhaabwiing represents a new vision in the delivery of child welfare services to children and youth, filling a current void in Manitoba’s child welfare system.

Each unit has a Cree name: Maihikanin (Little Wolves) for the 7-12 year-olds and Maskawi (Strong Bear) for the 13-17 year-olds.

A special effort was made to hire Aboriginal staff, gathering a group of 20 people from diverse backgrounds. They received intensive training prior to the doors opening for intake.

If you would like more information on placing a child or youth, please call intake at 783-9190 or 772-9900.