The Children, Youth and Families Department at the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre provides culturally grounded, holistic supports that strengthen Indigenous children, youth, and families through all stages of development. The department delivers a range of programs focused on early childhood development, youth engagement, and family wellness, combining cultural teachings with practical supports such as parenting resources, life skills development, advocacy, and system navigation. With an emphasis on prevention, early intervention, and community connection, the department helps build stability, identity, and long-term well-being for Indigenous families.
The Community Action Program for Children (CAPC)
Canadian Community Action Plan for Children (CAP-C) program
This program provides support and services to families and their children (0-6yrs) through the provision of holistic and culturally based activities.
Program provides children, youth, and families an access to cultural knowledge through a range of approaches, fostering positive Indigenous identity. This program plays a significant role in building and maintaining the cultural foundations essential to well-being and resiliency. Services are culturally reflective and prevention-based, with a focus on the need for culturally appropriate supports. All services promote connections with community, culture and tradition to reflect holistic, strength-based approaches.
For more information about CAPC contact us at capc2@hric.ca or call us at HRIC at ext. 238
Healthy Babies/Healthy Children Program
This program promotes healthy growth and development of Indigenous babies, build on parenting skills, and link families with the community supports and resources.
For more information about Healthy Babies/ Healthy Children Program contact us at healthybabiesa@hric.ca or call us at HRIC at ext. 243
Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program
This program provides culturally appropriate information for the purpose of improving pregnant mothers’ and fathers’ knowledge in areas including: nutrition; healthy lifestyle; preparation of labour and delivery; breast feeding; newborn and baby care in a traditional and culturally appropriate manner.
Services offered
- Prenatal/Postnatal classes
- Home/Hospital visits
- Nutritional supplements
- Prenatal supplements
- Cultural teachings
- Advocacy
- Referrals
- Breastfeeding support
- New parent support
For more information about Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program contact us at cpnp@hric.ca or call us at HRIC at ext. 227
Akwe:go (Mohawk word meaning “everybody” or “all of us”)
This program is providing cultural activities for children 7 – 12 years old, focusing on the understanding and values of the Indigenous culture. Our focus is on bringing the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual components of the human personality together as children grow and become youth.
For more information about the Akwe:go Program contact us at akwego@hric.ca or call us at HRIC at ext. 231
SHAE Program
Is an alternative education program for Indigenous students wishing to continue their education, in a culturally appropriate learning environment, but not currently attending a secondary school to shorten the gap of Indigenous student’s dropout rates within the mainstream school system. This program is in collation with Hamilton Wentworth School Board.
For more information about the SHAE Program contact us at sheaprogramcoordinator@hric.ca or call us at HRIC at ext. 239
Right to Play Program
The Right to Play program focuses on leadership, health and diabetes, physical activities and cultural components. Programming is available for Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth between the ages of 14-24 years.
For more information about the Right To Play Program contact us at righttoplay@hric.ca or call us at HRIC at ext. 233
Urban Indigenous Healthy Kids Program
Healthy Kids Program assists the children ages 7-12 yrs. old with a focus on wellbeing through nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices.
For more information about the Urban Indigenous Healthy Kids Program contact us at healthykids@hric.ca or call us at HRIC at ext. 247
Urban Indigenous Homeward Bound: Hamilton
Urban Indigenous Homeward bound (UIHB) is an initiative that aims to systematically address the barriers sole-parenting Indigenous women face when trying to find meaningful employment, enhances wellbeing, and prosperity for themselves and their children. UHIB is founded on the provision of key supports such as housing, access to culture, childcare, education and life-skills, transportation, case coordination, health access and mental health supports. UHIB culminates in post-secondary attainment and opportunities for career-track employment at family sustaining salaries.
For more information about the Urban Indigenous Homeward Bound Program contact us at uihbnavc@hric.ca or call us at HRIC at ext. 279
Wasa-Nabin (Ojibwe meaning “The Red Road” which is the road to success)
This is a program that assists the Urban Indigenous youth at risk between the ages of 13-18 years old. It helps in providing access to activities that will ensure choices to healthy lifestyles; Client based support objectives general social support, youth in care, healthy eating and physical development, education, justice interventions and violence prevention.
For more information about the Wasa-Nabin Program contact us at wasanabin@hric.ca or call us at HRIC at ext. 241
Youth Outreach Worker Program (in partnership with Wesley Centre)
The Youth Outreach worker is our out in the community program; engaging with youth ages 12 – 21 and their families to connect them to various resources and support.
For more information about the Youth Outreach Worker Program contact us at yow.marcel@hric.ca
