About us
Chee Mamuk’s vision is one of working in relationship with Indigenous communities and individuals for overall health and wellbeing rooted in strength-based approaches.
Chee Mamuk means “new work” in Chinook Jargon.
Chinook Jargon was a simplified language based on Chinook, French, English and other Indigenous languages and used in BC in the 1800s and early 1900s. It enabled people from widely diverse cultures and completely different languages to communicate and trade with other.
For Chee Mamuk, the terms Indigenous and Indigenous peoples are used to represent all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples inclusively. The terms Aboriginal, Aboriginal peoples, Native, Native peoples and Indian are used when reflected in the literature being discussed. Wherever possible, we use culturally specific names.
We acknowledge and work to address inequities in the health of Indigenous communities. Chee Mamuk’s services are grounded in community, tradition and science in order to promote healthy sexuality, build capacity in Indigenous communities and prevent the spread of STIs, hepatitis and HIV.
We honour and respect the resilience of Indigenous communities. We have many strengths as Indigenous people. We can use these strengths to raise awareness and prevent HIV/AIDS and STIs.
At Chee Mamuk we value:
- creativity
- building on strengths
- building on tradition and culture
- integrity
- collaboration
The collective goal of Chee Mamuk is to develop programming and resources that are engaging and meaningful to communities in reclaiming culture and traditional teachings. Chee Mamuk works closely in relationship with communities and is led by community priorities and needs.
ATKT is an innovative, evidence based “train the trainer” program that actively engages and works with teams of Indigenous women as natural teachers to host conversations and pass on their learnings around HIV, STI and hepatitis education in their home communities, while incorporating traditional cultural activities.
ATKT was recognized by Accreditation Canada as a Leading Practice in 2016. (
Read the background to the program on the CATIE website.)
ESP, based on the ATKT model, works with Indigenous men on health promotion, knowledge sharing and skills-based learning. This program addresses health and wellbeing for our Indigenous men in culturally rooted and Indigenous ways.
ESP health training teams are given the support and training to host conversations in their communities about health that include: prostate and testicle screening and health, HIV and AIDS prevention, resource sharing and land-based learning (such as compass navigation, trail making and shelter construction).
The Two-Spirit commitment is rooted in traditional ways and works with ATKT and ESP to promote a robust community dialogue around the responsibilities of and work within each community.
This work helps communities ensure their Two-Spirit relatives are supported, welcomed and engaged.
