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We walk with our community on their journeys

Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc. is a trusted heart of Winnipeg’s Indigenous community. Our vision is to lead our people back home to a place where we are self-determining, healthy, happy, and respected for our cultural and spiritual strengths and ways of being.

What We Do

A number of Indigenous led prevention and intervention programs that help children, youth, women, men, and families heal, succeed, and become leaders. Ka Ni Kanichihk provides education and job-skills training, support for women and families, and mentorship. We walk with people on their path of recovery from trauma.

Programs and Services

Health and Wellness

Our health and wellness programs blend traditional Indigenous knowledge with trauma-informed practices, offering holistic support for mental, physical, and spiritual healing. We provide a safe, supportive space for individuals to reconnect, restore, and grow, guiding our community toward well-being and resilience.

Children, Youth, and Family

At Ka Ni Kanichihk, we support children, youth, and families through culturally-based childcare, life skills training, and education-focused initiatives. Our programs foster pride, belonging, and responsibility, helping families reconnect to their roots and create safe, nurturing homes. Together, we help youth and families thrive and build stronger communities.

Education

Our education programs go beyond academics, empowering individuals through life skills, self-worth, and financial independence. Rooted in Indigenous traditions, we create spaces where personal growth and cultural knowledge unite. Whether advancing your career or personal journey, our programs provide the tools and support needed to succeed while honoring each person’s unique strengths.

Healing and Recovery

At Ka Ni Kanichihk, we honor each healing journey with culturally grounded programs rooted in Indigenous teachings. Our holistic approach supports recovery from trauma, addiction, and adversity. We offer a nurturing space where individuals can reclaim their identity, reconnect with community, and find balance and peace, walking the path of healing together.

News and Events

Please Consider Supporting Ka Ni Kanichihk Programs Today

October 3, 2025

JUNE – AUGUST 2025 – Over the summer, Ka Ni Kanichihk employed multiple teams of heart helpers with the assistance of additional funding to provide support to children, elders and families displaced by wildfires in Manitoba’s north. These teams worked tirelessly supporting our neighbours from the north in hotels and at the Cultural Village at…

Gender-Based Violence Prevention Training Opportunity

October 3, 2025

Upcoming training sessions will be held on Zoom in October and November on the dates listed above. Registration for these sessions will go live on Thursday, October 09 on our Facebook page. The registration link will also be provided on this webpage at that time. Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis; once the workshop…

24th Annual Keeping the Fires Burning

October 3, 2025

Keeping the Fires Burning Honorees (left to right):Wanbdi Wakita, John James Easter, Sherry Copenance, Audrey Lorraine Bone, Alvina Smith, Judy Mayer, Frances Sinclair-Kaspick, Iris Lauzon, Dolly Sirkudjuk Tinashlu, & Ocean Bruyere (Oscar Lathalin Memorial 2025 Recipient) On June 19, the 24th annual Keeping the Fires Burning event took place at the RBC Convention Centre in…

Social Media

This last weekend, youth from six of our programs gathered for a day of buffalo teachings and worked hands-on to process a buffalo hide together. 🦬💕

Guided by the spirit of the buffalo that day, it began with a Pipe Ceremony, while elders were present to share teachings about the importance of being on the land and staying connected to our culture. In addition to working with the buffalo hides, the day featured setting up two tipis, a sacred fire, and a scavenger hunt that encouraged the youth to explore and engage with their surroundings.

Please join us on Orange Shirt Day this September 30th for free programming at our 34 Higgins location! All are welcome. 

There will be free t-shirts for the first 200 guests, cultural activities, games, and food from 11am-3pm. 🎨🌭

We hope to see you there!

Ka Ni Kanichihk is hosting a Sharing Circle for peoples living with HIV/STBBI on Friday, September 26th from 3pm-7pm at 765 Main Street. 🗨

No registration needed!

If you have any questions or concerns, contact Melissa at:
☎️ 204-698-0738
📨mmorris@kanikanichihk.ca

Each year at Keeping the Fires Burning, a recipient is chosen to receive the Oscar Lathlin Memorial Award. 

This year’s Award Recipient is Ocean Bruyere. A trailblazing model, educator, and advocate whose work is redefining the fashion industry. 
A proud member of Sagkeeng Anishinabe First Nation, Ocean continues to build a career that merges contemporary fashion with cultural storytelling, ensuring Indigenous representation is not just included but celebrated on the world stage.
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Ocean’s influence extends far beyond the runway. She is a fierce advocate for Indigenous artistry and entrepreneurship, using fashion as a vehicle for empowerment and visibility. Her work has garnered widespread recognition, earning her a place on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including New York Fashion Week 2023 and Paris Fashion Week 2024.

Friends and Relatives, please join us on June 19th to celebrate Ocean and her accomplishments to-date. Get your tickets today at: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E350304QE&id=16 #KFB24

Nominated by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs as a Keeper of the Fire for #KFB24, Grandmother Sherry Copenance has been leading the way to ensure our language, ceremonies, and traditions are shared and passed down from one generation to the next. 
Niizhoosake, Saagimaakwe and belongs to the Atik dodem (Elk Clan) and is part of the Midewewin. 

Grandmother Sherry was born and raised in the community of Ojibways of Onigaming in Northwestern, Ontario on the east side of Lake of the Woods. 

She is rooted in her Anishinaabe ways and fluent in Anishinaabemowin, her original language and has a great love for the Land, Waters and Peoples. 

Since 2011, Grandmother Sherry has led Makoosekawin- Anishinaabe young women coming of age teachings and ceremonies. She is part of a Knowledge Circle at Nanadawegamig (FMHSSM). Sherry helps at Anishinaabe Teaching and Sacred Lodges such as the Annual Nibi Gathering held in May of each year. 

Please join us in celebrating the many accomplishments of Grandmother Sherry. Get your tickets today, you don’t want to miss her performance at Keeping the Fires Burning this year. Get your tickets here https://kanikanichihk.ca/keeping-the-fires-burning/

RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg

This year, Manitoba Moon Voices has nominated Grandmother Iris Lauzon as one of #KFB24’s Keepers of the Fire. 
Grandmother Iris Lauzon was born in Churchill, Manitoba, and raised in Oakville, Ontario after being removed from her family during the 60’s scoop. 
Grandmother Iris has worked in different areas of the textile industry, including factory work, alterations, retail, theatre, and film. She has coordinated numerous fashion shows, managed a boutique called Aboriginal Designers Marketing Co-op Ltd; and, more recently has been involved in a pilot project to assist design students in preparing their work for manufacturing.
Inspired by her mentor Yvonne Yuen, Iris has used fabric as her paint and emphasizes continuous and improvement in her design work. She is motivated by her desire to improve her sewing skills and those of her people.
Join us Thursday, June 19th to celebrate Grandmother Iris and the other Honourees at our Keeping the Fires Burning Gathering. We look forward to seeing you there. 
For tickets click: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E350304QE&id=16
RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg

24th Annual Keeping the Fires Burning


Thursday, June 19th, 2025RBC Convention Centre

Grand Entry at 5:30PM CST

Ka Ni Kanichihk is excited to invite you to join us on Thursday, June 19th, 2025, to mark 24 years of celebrating Indigenous resilience, relationship and reconciliation.

Funds raised through Keeping the Fires Burning provide transformative, culturally safe services and programs. They also support research and the integration of best practices in Indigenous-led community leadership. These are all critical elements in the restoration and reclamation of our positive and powerful cultural identity.

For information please contact: Sheri Domenico at sheri.domenico@outlook.com or by phone at 204-881-0337.

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