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:
Sydney Chabot-Hamden (CHEO Research Institute)
Sydney Chabot-Hamden is Algonquin from Kitigan Zibi Anishnaabeg. She is a Knowledge Translator working with the ACHWM, and uses her lived experience to support the Indigenous community, recognizing the need to braid traditional ways of being and knowing into mainstream service to better support Indigenous children.
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.
