The Aaniish-Naa-Gegii: Children’s Health and Well-Being Measure (or ACHWM) is a self-administered app-based questionnaire used for over a decade in First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities. It assesses wellness among Indigenous children (8-18 years) through a Balance Chart inspired by Medicine Wheel Teachings. Developed collaboratively by Indigenous health leaders, academic researchers, and Indigenous children, the Aanish-Naa-Gegii continuously evolves with community support and guidance. The Aaniish-Naa-Gegii also honours the TRC Calls to Action, specifically 13 and 55, which focus on closing the gaps in health and well-being for Indigenous people.
The Aaniish-Naa-Gegii app empowers Indigenous youth on their healing journeys, reshapes Indigenous health narratives, and braids Western Science with Indigenous knowledge to better impact children’s health and well-being.
Additional information and resources are available at www.ACHWM.ca
Learning Objectives
- Understand the history and evidence behind the app.
- Be able to identify their purpose for gathering wellness information from children.
- Practice facilitating strengths-based conversations with children and youth.
Presenters:
Blaine Wolfe (CHEO Research Institute)
Blaine Wolfe is Ojibwe from Curve Lake First Nation, currently living in Ottawa. He is presently a Knowledge Translator with the Aaniish-Naa-Gegii, where he focuses his energy on advancing child well-being using his lived experience as an Early Childhood Educator and mental health clinician.
