About Aaniish Naa Gegii
The Aaniish Naa Gegii: the Children’s Health and Well-being Measure© (ACHWM) is a culturally relevant, tablet-based tool designed by Indigenous children for Indigenous children (ages 8–18).
It helps communities:
- Screen for mental health and wellness needs
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Assess population health and well-being
- Evaluate local programs and services
Through ACHWM, children share their perspectives on their own health in a safe, engaging, and culturally grounded way.
Our Mission, Vision & Values
Mission
To empower local services to effectively measure and respond to Indigenous children’s wellness by collaboratively creating and sharing culturally relevant and accessible resources.
Vision
A future where all local services have the tools and resources to listen and respond to the voices of Indigenous children, supporting their wellness in holistic and meaningful ways.
Values
- Children’s Voices: We listen to and uplift what children share.
- Holistic Wellness: We focus on the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of well-being.
- Relationships: We value trust and collaboration.
- Respect for Diversity – We honour the cultures of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
- Community Autonomy – We prioritize community ownership and leadership.
- Accessibility – We design culturally relevant and easy-to-use tools.
Why Aaniish Naa Gegii?
Indigenous children and youth make up 40% of the Canadian Indigenous population, yet they continue to experience health inequities, particularly in on-reserve communities.
To improve health outcomes, communities need accurate, culturally grounded data to guide health planning, evaluation, and service delivery.
Few outcome measures are designed with Indigenous children in mind — that’s where the Aaniish Naa Gegii comes in.
The Aaniish Naa Gegii bridges the gap by providing a scientifically rigorous, culturally relevant way to measure wellness from children’s own perspectives.
What makes the it unique?
Created by children, for children — developed with First Nations children in Wiikwemkoong.
Tablet-based and interactive — children can listen to questions and respond privately.
Grounded in the Medicine Wheel Teachings — measures physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.
Culturally adaptable — validated with First Nation, Métis, and Inuit communities across Canada.
Scientifically sound — reliable, valid, and sensitive to children’s experiences.
Automated reporting — quickly identifies urgent needs and generates local reports.
Supports action — provides meaningful data for community planning, program evaluation, and funding requests.
