As each department of the Flat Bay Band Inc. has three (3) tiers of programs and services, in Health and Wellness all three tiers are delivered by the Tajike’k Centre.
Tier 1 – Primary & Holistic Care
Tier 2 – Mental Health & Addictions
Tier 3 – Community based Health & Wellness Activities
Tajike’k is a loose Mi’Kmaw translation to say,
“he or she is healthy.”
Pronounced like daugj-ee-gag.
Using the Creating Wellness system and a mantra of ‘Be Fit, Eat Right and Think Well’, the Tajike’k Centre is a Mind, Body, Spirit initiative targeting all rural, identified Mi’Kmaw communities on the island portion of Newfoundland. The Tajike’k Centre is aimed at customizing health and wellness for culture, lifestyle, and profile. However, it is designed so that anyone can join the program.
The Tajike’k Centre was started in 2015 and is considered a model program with the Public Health Agency of Canada who contributed funding to help us establish it.
With a belief in self-healing, the capacity of every person to better their own quality of life and the belief that western medicine is essential for many conditions, doctors and healthcare professionals give us the opportunity to heal and let our bodies be in its natural disease-free state. By taking a self-directed approach over our health and wellness, we become a more ‘at-ease’ society.
Who does Tajike’k Serve?
The Tajike’k Centre serves anyone living in or from an Indigenous /Mi’Kmaw community on the island portion of Newfoundland.
Tajike’k Services
Initial and End Assessment—To determine your score called a Wellness Quotient (WQ), we perform an on-site Initial Assessment testing your biochemical, physical, and psychological results.
Along with your score (WQ) you will get a report and then begin to work with Dr. Stew. As you progress you can then work with either coach Dr. Stew or Miss Bishop. You will collaborate to create your Action Plan. Your Action Plan focuses on areas that you can control within the barriers and strengths of your own life conditions, with a focus to help achieve the goals you have for yourself to find an optimal state of wellbeing.
Upon an agreed timeline between you and the Coach, you will have an End Assessment. This assessment will tell you your new and improved score and you will then decide if you wish to continue with services.
Assessments must be conducted on site, at the Tajike’k Center. For this reason, we provide you with gas vouchers to travel here. Dr. Stew will travel to clients who live much further away and perform assessments at a dedicated, COVID controlled site, near-by.
Individual Coaching —To work on one’s Action Plan between Initial and End Assessments, individuals will have Coaching sessions in the comfort of their own homes or offices. You may choose either method of telephone, Facebook Messenger, Skype, or Zoom.
Types of Coaching:
- COVID-19 Pandemic and how to protect yourself in particular similar situations
- Addressing the impacts of COVID, on one’s life and mental wellbeing
- Chronic disease prevention and management
- Overcoming illness and injuries
- Improving one’s efforts to Be Fit, Eat Right and Think Well
- Advice concerning use of cannabis for mental health and the relief of pain and symptoms of injuries and diseases
- Support for cessation of smoking, alcohol, and drugs
Other Services
- Group Coaching – via Zoom or Skype
- Mediation/Referral services—with your doctors and health professionals
- Invite to Tajike’k Facebook Group—Sound Advice, events and resources
- Support with establishing community activities—Such as fitness, walking groups, taking groups, etc.
Provisions
- Gas cards – For clients living outside of Flat Bay to come to sessions (Otherwise, the Coach will travel to them).
- Free products – Such as food vouchers, fitness equipment, protection supplies, supplies to help with cessation of additions, materials for hobbies, and mental health relief, etc. Products are customized for one’s own needs.
What is the Cost?
No fee is required. The Tajike’k Centre is not-for-profit and seek grants and funding to operate so that we can deliver our services in an economically blind nature – free to all clients.
Tajike’k Centre Management
Dr. Stewart MacNeil
“We are ushering into an era where society is realizing that it is far more effective to raise our self-awareness and develop more collaborative relationships with our doctors and health service providers. For generations, our people have been subordinate participants in their health care and as a result, statistics show climbing rates of diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, depression, and other chronic conditions along with a general feeling of ‘dis-ease’.” – Dr. Stew
Continuous Intake
To register for the Tajike’k Centre or agree to be referred by another client or health professional,
we will conduct a short intake questionnaire by phone.
Once you are registered, the following services are delivered over time
To Register or for More Information
Email Dr. Stewart MacNeil at drstewartmacneil@gmail.com or leave a message at 709-647-1370.
Tajike’k Centre August 2022 to July 2023.docx
In addition to Tajike’k coaching and referrals on how to Be Fit, Eat Right and Think Well, we deliver many spin-off programs and community services.
Tajike’k Fitness Centre – is under renovations at this time; it is a fitness centre located at the Flat Bay Band Office (10 Band Rd. Flat Bay West, NL). The Tajike’k Fitness Centre is open 24/7.
Walking and Fitness Groups – Walking and Fitness Groups are scheduled throughout the year. Walking Groups are held in the community and participants may go on foot or on ATV and experience medicine trails, beaches, and roadsides. Fitness Groups are typically held at various venues by the choice of participants and are sometimes even offered on the Tajike’k Facebook page, as an online class.
“Get Fit with Powwow Dance” – Sometimes various styles of Mi’Kmaw dance classes are held for fitness, and they blend physical fitness, language, and cultural skills development. They are typically held at various venues by the choice of participants and are sometimes even on the Tajike’k Facebook page, as an online class.
Feasts and Cooking Groups – Feasts and Healthy Cooking groups are held, using traditional, healthy foods, and a variety of cooking methods. They are typically held at various venues by the choice of participants.
“Living off the Land”– Throughout the year, we may deliver various events and initiatives that include the sharing of health information and participation in traditional life such as scouting for nature’s traditional food sources such as berries, produce, and herbs as well as trapping, fishing, hunting, and harvesting, etc. In addition, we have a community greenhouse, community garden, and community pantry that helps to supply healthy food sources for such activities.
Educational Posts, Sessions, Presentations and Workshops – Educational Posts are updated weekly on the Tajike’k Facebook page. In addition, group sessions, presentations, or workshops may be delivered or requested by other groups and organizations. These sessions may be held over Zoom or in-person at a designated site.
Support for other Community Groups – Other band communities are often given support by our Tajike’k team to help support health and wellness activities in their communities. Support may be in the forms of consultation, training, or even start-up funds.
What is the Cost?
No fee is required. We are non-profit and seek grants and funding to operate so that we can deliver our services in an economically blind nature – free to all clients.
For More Information
Email Dr. Stewart MacNeil at drstewartmacneil@gmail.com or leave a message at 709-647-1370.
Mental health professionals understand the importance of assisting clients/patients in various life settings. The concept of such wraparound services came into existence in the 1980s and has become more recognized as essential to mental health and wellbeing, year by year.
By incorporating the natural support systems of clients/patients, along with the traditional approaches of various healthcare service providers, we, collaboratively, are better able to address core issues and multiple needs.
In addition to various service providers’ support, natural supports include family members, extended family, and caregivers who are vital to the wellbeing Indigenous profile.
The “wraparound” term refers to services that are intended to wrap around the clients/patients in a way that supports them in all aspects of life and living.
Wrap Around Services and Referrals – With the client’s permission, the Tajik’ek Coach will refer them to various wrap around supports and services available, to help in areas of path to wellness.
Sweat Lodge and On-the-Land Ceremonies – We hold sweats during cultural ceremonies and events such as the powwow and healing retreats. Other times we may hold sweat lodges and on-the land healing retreats for the purpose of supporting mental health and addictions. In addition to providing antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing benefits. Sweats can free the mind of distractions, offering clarity, introspection, and provide a connection to the earth and spirit world. Sweat lodges can benefit the improvement of mental health and addictions. On-the land connections to nature significantly improve all six senses: sight, taste, smell, touch, hearing, and intuition. Viewing the beautiful scenes of nature across our regions and within our communities, helps reduce anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings. Exposure to nature not only makes one feel better emotionally, but contributes to physical wellbeing, reduces blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones.
Healing Touch Sessions – Dr. Stew, is certified Healing Touch practitioner – Energy therapy is a non-invasive technique that employs the hands to clear, energize, and balance the human and environmental energy fields, thus affecting physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. It is based on a heart-centered, caring relationship in which the practitioner and client come together energetically to facilitate the client’s health and healing. While Healing Touch can help with health issues related to cancer, the cardio-vascular system, and endocrine/immune problems, it is also very successful for alleviating post-operative surgery, pain, stress, fear, and trauma. It can also play a pivotal role in mental health, addictions, and overall emotional wellness.
Talking and Healing Circles – We facilitate talking or sharing circles for the benefit of mental health and addictions. Based on the sacred Indigenous traditions, the main purpose is to create a safe environment for participants to share their points of view, experiences, achievements, set-backs goals, fears, proudest moments, status, and best practices. Or they may choose to just listen. The intention is to open hearts to understand and connect with one another, while supporting each other without judgment and helping one another to cope and overcome.
Smudging and Drumming Circles –We facilitate smudge ceremonies and drum groups for the benefit of mental health and addictions. Smudging helps one begin to focus and become mindful. Mindfulness is about achieving a sense of calm and clear-headedness in every moment of daily life. With singing and drumming, research reveals that such practices accelerate physical healing and boost the immune system. As with music therapy for mental health, smudging, singing, and drumming also help to reduce tension, anxiety, and stress and help to control chronic pain related conditions that further aggravate mental health and addictions.
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) –We actively partner and support the many programs and services of the CMHA through our regional and provincial partners. For more information go to: https://www.rehab.ca/canadian-mental-health-association/1100223-r
Safe Talk – One of the initiatives that came about through are partnership with the CMHA, is the certification of Dr. Stew as a Safe Talk Facilitator. For more information, click: https://www.livingworks.net/safe
What is the Cost?
No fee is required. We are non-profit and seek grants and funding to operate so that we can deliver our services in an economically blind nature – we are free to all clients.
For More Information:
Email Dr. Stewart MacNeil at drstewartmacneil@gmail.com or leave a message at 709-647-1370.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, we have the highest rates of chronic disease of any province in our country. Indigenous people across our country have higher rates of chronic disease than any other group with the diabetes risk being four to five times higher than the national average. Traditionally Indigenous people led very active lifestyles as hunter gatherers and ate very nutritious healthy meals harvested from the land. With the change in lifestyle that served them so well for 1000s of years, the progressive increase in chronic disease amongst Indigenous people is a natural response to such a drastic lifestyle shift. Understanding that most chronic diseases are preventable and if we happen to develop a chronic disease in our lifetime, we can make lifestyle changes to help in manage such a condition. Chronic disease management and prevention is a major focus as it impacts so many of our people and continues to be a concern for our current and future generations.
Chronic Disease Self-Management Program – As a leader of the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, Dr Stew is certified to lead the 6-week self-management program for people living with chronic conditions to help them better manage their own health.
The program can help you:
- Manage fatigue or tiredness
- Learn how to eat healthier
- Deal with frustration, depression, pain, or isolation
- Start to become more active and/or maintain an exercise program
- Develop problem solving skills
- Communicate with family, friends, health care providers
- Get more out of life
Knowledge Seminars – As leaders in health and wellness, we are always trying to educate our people and give them the best information so they can make informed decisions about their healthcare. We are supporters of western health and regularly engage mainstream healthcare practitioners to bring seminars about healthy living and chronic health conditions that range from healthy eating, diabetes, pain management, stress reduction and healthy movement. Learning the importance of the symptom cycle and its impact on personal health decisions and lifestyle choices can be extremely relieving to a lot of people.
What is the Cost?
No fee is required. We are non-profit and seek grants and funding to operate so that we can deliver our services in an economically blind nature – free to all clients.
For More Information:
Email Dr. Stewart MacNeil at drstewartmacneil@gmail.com or leave a message at 709-647-1370.