The Waterloo Wellington region is home to over 9,000 Indigenous residents, inclusive of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples. Local Indigenous residents represent approximately 1.5% of the total population in the region.

The prevalence of diabetes in the Indigenous community is three times the national prevalence.  It is important that there are programs to support Indigenous peoples specific needs and to provide services that respect health beliefs and approaches to care.

Indigenous Health Circle 

The Indigenous Health Circle (IDHC) provides programs focusing on diabetes education, prevention, and mangement in Indigenous communities in Ontario, both on and off-reserve, serving First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities. 

In collaboration with 100-plus partners, the IDHC team works to:

• Develop and distribute culturally-appropriate education, promotion and prevention resources based on community needs
• Support access to treatment and care options
• Coordinate services
• Identify local and regional service needs related to diabetes
• Share relevant diabetes research
• Act as a resource for other health and education service providers

For more information on the Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle click here

Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC)

Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC) is funded by the Government of Ontario; Ministry of Health and Long Term Care; Ontario Health; and Ministry of Children and Youth Services. Placing culture and tradition at the core of all health and community development practices provides a space of safety and belonging where individuals, families and communities find meaning.

SOAHAC’s Diabetes Education Services are for Indigenous adults (18+) living with Type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, or at high risk for developing diabetes. You do not need to have a doctor or nurse practitioner at SOAHAC for these services. The Diabetes Nurse Educator and Registered Dietitian can support you to live well with diabetes.

SOAHAC can help you prevent diabetes or diabetes complications by teaching you to manage your care through individual counselling and Healthy Lifestyles Workshops. They can also support caregivers. Follow-up is encouraged by the team at least every 3-6 months. Both education and follow-up support are offered in a variety of ways – by appointment, phone, or email. Call 1-877-454-0753, email [email protected] or click here for more information.

• White Owl is dedicated to innovative Indigenous Wholistic practice with a commitment to whole person development within families and communities in the Waterloo Region of Southern Ontario. Founded in 1975, our organization is one of the oldest Indigenous community organizations in Kitchener-Waterloo.  The goal for children and youth is to experience belonging and value through relationship-building that encourages self acceptance, self expression, and understanding - a sense of place and belonging. Our Wholistic Practitioners work with individual clients and their families to help them in that process. Click here.

• The Healing of The Seven Generations promotes healing from the intergenerational impacts of residential schools through culturally grounded approaches. This includes offering group and individual self-help using traditional ceremonies and teachings, increasing self-acceptance as First Peoples, developing culturally accessible healing and training programs, engaging Knowledge Keepers and Medicine People, raising awareness of residential school impacts, supporting individuals in overcoming trauma and breaking cycles of abuse, and empowering the community to build a healthier future. Click here.

• Crow Shield Lodge's mission is to walk alongside those who are in need of healing. Through Indigenous land-based healing and education we offer connection and belonging to a community dedicated to responsible land stewardship.  We aspire to remain grounded in the Seven Grandfather Teachings of respect, truth, wisdom, honesty, humility, courage, and love.  Click here.
   
   

• AO is an Indigenous-led, incorporated non-profit and registered charity dedicated to providing culturally appropriate services to Indigenous peoples — specifically First Nations, Inuit & Métis (FNIM). Their vision is to help FNIM populations become “prosperous leaders and strategic partners in Canada’s future.  Click here.

• The Tipi of Huron-Perth provides a sacred Indigenous cultural space in the Huron/Perth region, rooted in ceremony and connection to tradition. They hold open community sweat lodge events, where members of the community (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) can register to participate. The tipi in the region near Gowanstown is used as a venue for healing, cultural sharing, and connection to the land and Indigenous teachings. Click here.

Toe-Tally Footcare 

• A new Indigenous-led footcare clinic is being offered at Groves Memorial Community Hospital in Fergus Ontario.  This free footcare clinic is being offered to self-identifying Indigenous individuals living in the Guelph Wellington region.

• Two Indigenous footcare nurses will be providing footcare services (nail trimming, corn/callus removal, foot checks and education) and advocating for referrals to specialists, elders/Indigenous traditional medicines as appropriate or requested.

• Self-identification is all that is required to qualify.  The clinic opens April 2nd, 2026 with 6 appointment slots per clinic.  Clinics occur once every six weeks.   Transportation funding is available for those who require support

• To book an appointments please call Toe-Tally Foot Care at  519-505-2381. Click here for clinic flyer

• The National Indigenous Diabetes Association (NIDA) is a very active player in diabetes awareness & prevention in Indigenous communities by providing much needed diabetes resources and information. Click here

Legal Aid

• Waterloo Region Community Legal Services (WRCLS) is a non-profit organization that provides free legal services to low-income residents of the Waterloo region.  The WRCLS team is made up of lawyers, paralegals, an Indigenous Justice Coordinator, a social worker, a community development worker, and legal support staff – providing a full range of legal and non-legal services.  Click here.

•  Since 1974, CLEO has produced clear language legal information for people in Ontario. More recently,they're taking an active role in supporting Ontario's community workers who help clients with legal problems through our CLEO Connect projects.Their work focuses on providing information to people who face barriers to accessing the justice system, including income, disability, literacy, and language. As a community legal clinic and part of Ontario's legal aid system, they work in partnership with other legal clinics and community organizations across the province. They have created a will and power of attorney handbook for indigenous community members.  Click here