Chee Mamuk

Chee Mamuk is an Indigenous program that provides innovative and culturally appropriate training, educational resources and wise practice models in STIs, hepatitis and HIV.

About us

Vision

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.

About the vocabulary used here

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.

How we work

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.

Our programs

Around the Kitchen Table (ATKT)

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.)

Encouraging Strong Paths (ESP)

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).

Resources

Chee Mamuk has developed many culturally specific educational materials, all of which are listed here. For images and descriptions of these resources, please see the related order form at the end of this page.

Accessories

Chee Mamuk Button
Chee Mamuk Pen
Key Chain Flashlight
Chee Mamuk Tote Bag
Condom Key Chain: 'Doe & Buck' | 'Love Birds' | 'Wolves'

DVDs

This video is on YouTube or can be ordered from BCCDC:

Around the Kitchen Table: Reclaiming Tradition, Around The Kitchen Table (ATKT): a Model for HIV, Hepatitis and Sexual Health Education

Youth DVD series: Star in Your Own Stories

Stand True
Step Up
Strong Path
By My Name

Educational resources

This booklet can be ordered from the publisher:

Author info | Publisher info

These booklets can be downloaded using the links below:

Educational supplies

Put on Something Sexy (Flip Book)
Who's got the Condom? (Flip Book)
First Nations Circle People Notepad

Order forms

British Columbia

Out of province

Tab Heading

Provincial Health Services Authority