Health Update: Indigenous Student Wellness Day – Find Your VIBE To Wellness – Vice-President, Equity & Community Inclusion – What Experts Say

VIBE – Gdoo-maawnjidimi Mompii Indigenous Student Services (GMISS) Indigenous Health & Wellness Day

VIBE – GMISS Indigenous Health & Wellness

Vitality – Honoring the life force and spirit (Manitou or similar concepts) that flows through all living things.

Interconnectedness – Recognizing that our health is tied to our ancestors, our community, and the Land.

Balance – Seeking harmony between the four quadrants of the Medicine Wheel: Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual.

Empowerment – Reclaiming traditional knowledge and self-determination over one’s own healing journey.

VIBE – GMISS Indigenous Health & Wellness DAY

What to expect

All Indigenous community members are invited to participate in Indigenous Student Wellness Day. This year, the theme is “VIBE:  Vitality, Interconnectedness, Balance, Empowerment”’ as we make efforts to find our way back to balance and wellness.

Through activities promoting self-care (of the spiritual, emotional, physical and intellectual), we will aim to find balance and enhance well-being despite the many outside challenges we continue to face in the world today.

This event will bring together Indigenous community members to exchange meaningful routes to wellness through: 

• massage therapy; 
• creating your own mental health and wellness bundles; 
• puppy therapy;
• making your own candles; 
• energy reader; 
• card reading; 
• chair massage and so much more. 

The traditional food workshops will be hosted by knowledge keepers and Chef Taylor Parker. Chef Parker will also be providing sample foods that are sure to please. 

GMISS invites TMU Indigenous students, staff, and faculty to VIBE with us for Vitality, Interconnectedness, Balance, Empowerment”’ as we make efforts to find our way back to balance and wellness.

Event agenda: 

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Hands-On Cooking Experience with Chef Taylor Parker. Students can engage in open conversation to discuss Indigenous food, plants, herbs, history, economic impact and facts. The VIBE Tasting starts with Hors d’oeuvre samples that students can try their hands at preparing, or that can be plated by the sous chef. 

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Chair Massage Therapy: This year we will have two chairs running but students will be required to sign up for a 15 minute time spot via the registration form, as space is limited.

12 to 1 p.m. | Lunch VIBE’s begin. Grab and go if you are short on time. Or you can feel free to sit relax, have conversations and enjoy your lunch.

1 to 4 p.m. | Wellness Stations. Build your wellness that works for you, including candle making, energy reading, card reading, puppy therapy, smudging and more. 

3 to 4 p.m. | Drumming and singing, led by Amy Desjarlais. Let your mind and spirit go as you meditate with song and drumming. Bring Your drums and shakers if you have them, bring your voices and hearts if you don’t.