Kenora Chiefs Advisory

What Kenora Chiefs Advisory does

Kenora Chiefs Advisory (Ogimaawabiitong) is a non-profit Indigenous health and social services advisory organization headquartered in Kenora, Ontario, serving 8 affiliated First Nations in the Treaty #3 region of northwestern Ontario: Wabaseemoong, Wauzhushk Onigum, Grassy Narrows, Niisaachewan, Shoal Lake #40, Northwest Angle #33, Naotkamegwanning, and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation. Founded around 1995 (with the MSSI Ontario Works program in place since 1998), KCA operates with 51-100 employees under Executive Director Jennifer Dreaver and COO Gillian Lunny, governed by a Board of Directors composed of member Nation Chiefs. Its mandate is grounded in Anishinaabe traditions and the Seven Sacred Teachings, with service design co-led by an Elders Council and Youth Council.

KCA delivers a broad portfolio of programs across four service divisions: Family & Community Wellbeing (Niigaanning Bimaadiziwin Developmental Services, Kenora Makwa Patrol, Family Wellbeing, Cultural Support, Anti Human Trafficking, Wiisokodaadig Peer Helpers, Right to Play, Indigenous Rookie League); Health (Environmental Public Health, Client Navigation, Health Care System Planning, Cancer Care, Long-Term Care, Primary Care, Climate Change Adaptation, Diabetes Education/ADEP, Children's Wellness, Gambling Awareness, Tobacco Reduction); Mental Health & Addictions (Binesi Waziswon Healing and Treatment Services licensed for 8 youth stabilization beds, Adult Case Management, Bail Residency, Short-Term Crisis Counseling, Mobile Youth Crisis & Outreach, Child & Youth Case Management, Youth in Transition, the Kenora Youth Wellness Hub at 120 Main Street South, and the Youth Outreach Worker); and Social Services (MSSI centralized Ontario Works delivery across 7 participating First Nations, plus Ontario Disability Support). It also operates the standalone Makate Waagamichiwanang Gakinaa'amaatiwin Youth and Family Wellness Camp, a 327-acre land-based healing facility on the Winnipeg River, and is leading development of the Indigenous-led HART Hub in partnership with the Kenora District Services Board.

KCA's revenue model is grant and donation funded rather than fee-for-service, with money flowing through the affiliated Ma'mo'weh Wii'soo'ka'tiwin Foundation and directly from multiple Ontario provincial ministries (Health, Indigenous Affairs, Children Community and Social Services, Municipal Affairs and Housing, Labour), federal sources (Indigenous Services Canada, ESDC, Canadian Heritage, NOHFC), and philanthropic donors. Notable recent inflows include $500K from NOHFC for Youth Wellness Hub renovations (January 2024), $3.6M from the Ontario Ministry of Health for an interprofessional primary care team (April 2024), $300K from the Government of Canada (February 2025), and $10M from the Krawczyk Family Foundation for camp expansion (November 2025). Services are delivered directly with no reseller channels, combining physical sites, on-the-land programming, helicopter-supported remote delivery, and phone-based outreach including the Makwa Patrol helpline (807-464-SAFE).

Name

Kenora Chiefs Advisory

Legal name

Kenora Chiefs Advisory

Website

https://kenorachiefs.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Kenora Chiefs Advisory (Ogimaawabiitong) is a non-profit Indigenous health and social services advisory organization serving 8 Treaty #3 First Nations in northwestern Ontario, delivering primary care, mental health and addictions, youth treatment, social services, and cultural programming from a 327-acre land-based healing camp and multiple community sites.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Indigenous Community Health and Social Services

NAICS

Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Health & Health Equity/Social Determinants Units (HLAJAAAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Public Health & Health Equity Organizations (BPAGACAL)

Keywords

• Indigenous health services
• Mental health counseling
• Youth wellness programs
• Social services support
• Land-based healing

Headquarters

HQ city

Kenora

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Grants (Ontario Provincial): Receives government funding from multiple Ontario ministries including Ministry of Health, Ministry of Indigenous Affairs, Ministry of Children Community and Social Services, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Ministry of Labour Immigration Training and Skills Development. Notable grants include $3.6 million for interprofessional primary care team and $500,000 from Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation for Youth Wellness Hub renovations.
2. Foundation & Philanthropic Donations: Receives philanthropic donations routed through Ma'mo'weh Wii'soo'ka'tiwin Foundation. Notable: $10 million donation from Krawczyk Family Foundation for MWG Youth and Family Wellness Camp expansion. Also receives community donations (e.g., $1,600 from Les Filles D'esprit to Makwa Patrol, over 1,700 toys from Spin Masters).
3. Government Grants (Federal): Receives federal funding from Employment and Social Development Canada, Department of Canadian Heritage, and Indigenous Services Canada for community programs and the Ontario Works program delivery.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kenora Chiefs Advisory (Ogimaawabiitong) is a non-profit First Nations advisory organization that delivers integrated health, mental health, addictions, social services, primary care, youth wellness, and culturally grounded programming to 8 Treaty #3 member First Nations in northwestern Ontario. Core offerings include the licensed Binesi Waziswon youth treatment service, the Kenora Youth Wellness Hub, the Kenora Makwa Patrol harm-reduction outreach, an interprofessional Primary Care team, the Ontario Works delivery consortium MSSI shared across 7 First Nations, and the 327-acre Makate Waagamichiwanang Gakinaa'amaatiwin land-based healing camp.

Product overview

Kenora Chiefs Advisory (Ogimaawabiitong) operates as a multi-service Indigenous health and social services organization rather than a single unified software product, with its offerings organized into several service portfolios anchored at https://www.kenorachiefs.org. The portfolio includes a Family & Community Wellbeing division (Niigaanning Bimaadiziwin Developmental Services, Right to Play, Indigenous Rookie League, Wiisokodaadig Peer Helpers Program, Family Wellbeing Program, Cultural Support Services, Kenora Makwa Patrol, and Anti Human Trafficking), a Health division (Environmental Public Health, Client Navigation & Utilization, Health Care System Planning, Cancer Care Project, Long-Term Care, Primary Care, Climate Change Adaptation, Diabetes Education/ADEP, Children's Wellness Program, Gambling Awareness, and Tobacco Reduction), a Mental Health & Addictions division (Binesi Waziswon Healing and Treatment Services, Adult Case Management, Bail Residency, Social & Cultural Wellness, Short-Term Crisis Counseling, Mobile Youth Crisis & Outreach, Child & Youth Case Management, Youth in Transition, the Kenora Youth Wellness Hub, and the Youth Outreach Worker Program), Social Services (Min-O-Qwe-Ke-Ga-Bwe'in Social Services Initiative / MSSI and Ontario Disability Support), and the standalone Makate Waagamichiwanang Gakinaa'amaatiwin Youth and Family Wellness Camp (formerly KCA Youth and Family Wellness Camp) with its Equine Program, Wabishki Makinaa Kwe Field of Dreams baseball complex, and new Arts and Welcome Centre, supported by the Ma'mo'weh Wii'soo'ka'tiwin Foundation. The newer Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub initiative and the Wiigwas Elders and Senior Care initiative extend the offering into supportive housing and senior long-term care.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Makate Waagamichiwanang Gakinaa'amaatiwin Youth and Family Wellness Camp: A youth and family wellness camp spanning 327 acres along the Winnipeg River that serves as a regional centre for healing, recreation, reconciliation, and cultural revitalization.
• Ma'mo'weh Wii'soo'ka'tiwin Foundation
• Kenora Makwa Patrol
• Kenora Youth Wellness Hub
• Binesi Waziswon Healing and Treatment Services

Products and services

• Binesi Waziswon Healing and Treatment Services A licensed Step Up, Step Down voluntary live-in youth stabilization treatment program located at the KCA Youth and Family Wellness Camp, serving youth aged 12 to 17 with mental health, substance, and addiction needs. Licensed by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and operating with 8 beds serving the Kenora, Thunder Bay, and broader northern Ontario regions.
• Kenora Youth Wellness Hub A drop-in hub at 120 Main Street South, Kenora, serving youth aged 12 to 25 with employment, education, primary care, mental health, substance use, cultural, and wellness supports, including counselling, peer support, a full kitchen, accessible washroom and shower, laundry, and a semi-private room.
• Kenora Makwa Patrol A community outreach and harm reduction patrol operating in the Kenora downtown core, providing non-judgmental support, supplies, and care for vulnerable populations. Administrative office at Station 2 Firehall (1008 Ottawa Street, Keewatin), with a help line at 807-464-SAFE (7233).
• Makate Waagamichiwanang Gakinaa'amaatiwin Youth and Family Wellness Camp A 327-acre regional Indigenous youth and family wellness camp purchased by KCA in 2020 along the Winnipeg River, offering land-based programming, cultural education, recreation, mental wellness supports, an Equine Program, baseball diamonds (Wabishki Makinaa Kwe Field of Dreams), and a new Arts and Welcome Centre; transitioning into a standalone entity operating in partnership with KCA.
• Min-O-Qwe-Ke-Ga-Bwe'in Social Services Initiative (MSSI) A group delivery model of the Ontario Works Program operated by KCA and 7 participating First Nations, delivering Financial and Employment Assistance services with centralized functions including Eligibility Review, Family Support Worker services, internal program reviews and appeals, policy development, budgets, reporting and statistics, coordination of program meetings, staff development and training, and technology systems.
• KCA Primary Care An interprofessional primary care team supported by $3.6 million in Ontario Ministry of Health funding to strengthen primary care delivery and close service gaps for First Nations people in northwestern Ontario.
• Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hub (HART Hub) An Indigenous-led Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hub being developed in partnership with the Kenora District Services Board, enhancing and revitalizing the existing Kenora Emergency Shelter & Clinical Services Hub with recovery and treatment beds, supportive housing units, primary care, mental health, addictions care, social services, cultural and traditional supports, and employment supports.
• KCA Mental Health and Addictions Services A suite of mental health and addictions services including Adult Case Management, Bail Residency – Mental Wellness Program, Social & Cultural Wellness Project, Short-Term Crisis Counseling, Mobile Youth Crisis & Outreach, Child & Youth Case Management, Youth in Transition Program, Youth Outreach Worker Program, and the Kenora Youth Wellness Hub.
• Family and Community Wellbeing Programs A portfolio of family and community wellbeing programs including Niigaanning Bimaadiziwin Developmental Services, Family Wellbeing Program, Cultural Support Services, Right to Play, Indigenous Rookie League, Wiisokodaadig Peer Helpers Program, Anti Human Trafficking, and Kenora Makwa Patrol.
• Health Services Portfolio A portfolio of community health services including Environmental Public Health, Client Navigation and Utilization, Health Care System Planning, Cancer Care Project, Long-Term Care, Primary Care, Climate Change Adaptation, KCA Anishinaabe Diabetes Education Program (ADEP), Children's Wellness Program, Gambling Awareness, and Tobacco Reduction.
• Ontario Disability Support Program (KCA-delivered) Ontario Disability Support Program services delivered through KCA's Social Services portfolio to eligible members of partner First Nations communities.

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, flagship and core.

• Les Filles D'espritminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2026Les Filles D'esprit held a benefit concert titled 'Let Justice Roll' at Knox United Church in Kenora, Ontario on June 1, 2026. Proceeds totaling $1,600 were donated to the Kenora Makwa Patrol to support harm reduction and outreach work. Program Manager Jennifer Lebel and members of the Makwa Patrol team attended.
• National Indigenous Peoples Day Partners and SponsorsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 June 2025KCA's National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration in 2025 was supported by numerous partners and sponsors including: the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Community Foundation, MNP, Kenora GM, Dufresne's Kenora, Lake of the Woods Speedway, Q-Power Communications, Rotary Club of Kenora, Canadian Mental Health Association – Kenora, City of Kenora, WNHAC, Kenora OPP, Treaty #3 Police Service, Grand Council Treaty #3, Ne-Chee Friendship Centre, and Kenora Pride.
• Ma'mo'weh Wii'soo'ka'tiwin FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 June 2025The Ma'mo'weh Wii'soo'ka'tiwin Foundation is the associated foundation of Kenora Chiefs Advisory, supporting the Youth and Family Wellness Camp and other charitable initiatives. Has its own Donate page, Our Foundation page, Case for Support, and More To Be Done page on the KCA website. KCA leadership from this foundation attended the National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations.
• Shkaabe Makwa, CAMH, and Noojmowin Teg Health CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 February 2025KCA brought together partners from Shkaabe Makwa, CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health), and Noojmowin Teg Health Centre to strengthen collaboration for a co-designed virtual Alcohol Withdrawal Management program. Participants also toured the KCA Youth and Family Wellness Camp.
• Kenora Youth Wellness Hub Ontario, Moncrief Construction Sports Centre, Ne-Chee Friendship Centre, Jarnel Construction Ltd., Keystone Security SolutionsminorOthers · 5 February 2025During renovations of the Kenora Youth Wellness Hub, partners including the Kenora Justice Centre, Moncrief Construction Sports Centre, and the Ne-Chee Friendship Centre allowed the Hub to use their space. Jarnel Construction Ltd. and Keystone Security Solutions provided consultation and responsiveness for the renovation project.
• Kenora District Services BoardflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 January 2025KCA was selected to lead in partnership with KDSB the enhancement and revitalization of the existing Kenora Emergency Shelter & Clinical Services Hub into an Indigenous-led Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hub (HART Hub) for the region. Hubs aim to support safer communities by connecting people with various health needs to comprehensive treatment and preventative services. CEO Henry Wall is the KDSB lead on this initiative.
• Shooniyaa Wa-Biitong and Winnipeg Transition CentrecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 16 December 2024Shooniyaa Wa-Biitong sponsored the regional 'Facilitation Fundamentals' two-day training program; KCA's Min-O-Que-Ke-Ga-Bwe'in Social Services (MSSI) team, Shooniyaa Wa-Biitong staff, and leadership from Shoal Lake #40, Naotkamegwanning, Niisaachewan, Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, Wauzhushk Onigum Nation, and Grassy Narrows completed the training delivered by the Winnipeg Transition Centre.
• goCold Solutions, ERB Trucking, Forest Helicopters Inc., Jarnel Contracting, McCain Foods, Giant Tiger, Lamb Weston, All Gold Imports, Exceldor Foods, CDC Foods, Concord Premium MeatsminorOthers · 11 December 2024KCA coordinated the delivery of over 26,000 pounds of food to 8 partner communities in December 2024 with logistics support from goCold Solutions (food sourcing), ERB Trucking (delivery), Forest Helicopters Inc. (remote community delivery), and Jarnel Contracting (unloading). Food suppliers included McCain Foods, Giant Tiger, Lamb Weston, All Gold Imports, Exceldor Foods, CDC Foods, and Concord Premium Meats.
• Grand Council Treaty #3, Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle, Miisun Integrated Resource Management Co., Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe'iyewigamig, Shooniyaa Wa-BiitongminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 October 2024Sponsors and partners for the KCA Youth Healing Gathering (October 19-20, 2024) and broader program delivery including Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle, Miisun Integrated Resource Management Co., Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe'iyewigamig, and Shooniyaa Wa-Biitong.
• Lake of the Woods District Hospital, City of KenoracoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 May 2024Partnership on Wiigwas Elder and Senior Care building to be co-located with the All Nations Hospital. KCA, Wiigwas, Lake of the Woods District Hospital, and the City of Kenora joined together at the Discovery Centre to honour and recognize the new Wiigwas site.
• Jays Care FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 June 2021Kenora Chiefs Advisory applauded Jays Care for their 50/50 Initiative. Jays Care is the charitable arm of the Toronto Blue Jays baseball organization supporting Indigenous youth through sport.
• Wiigwas Elder and Senior CarecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Wiigwas Elder and Senior Care is a partnership organization with KCA, working together on a new Long-Term Care Home co-located with the All Nations Hospital in Kenora. The property recognition ceremony was held May 7, 2024 with representatives of KCA, Wiigwas, Lake of the Woods District Hospital, and the City of Kenora.
• Spin Masters toy companyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 December 2019Spin Masters toy company donated over 1,700 toys to KCA to be distributed throughout the 9 communities KCA represents. The toys varied in age range from early years to teenagers and included puzzles, board games, art supplies and more. KCA also shared a portion with Evergreen Public School.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Tungasuvvingat Inuit: Indigenous-specific service provider offering mental health, addiction, homelessness, and cultural programs for Inuit clients in Ontario, with a comparable integrated wellness model under an Indigenous-led governance structure.
• Anishnawbe Health Toronto: Indigenous health organization providing primary care, mental health, traditional healing, and community programs in an urban setting, with a similar integration of clinical care and Indigenous cultural programming as KCA.
• Matawa First Nations Management: Tribal council serving nine First Nations in northern Ontario with health, education, and social services coordination; comparable to KCA's role as a multi-community coordinating advisory body under Grand Council Treaty #3.
• Dilico Anishinabek Family Care: Anishinabek-led integrated health, mental health, and children's services organization in northwestern Ontario, comparable to KCA in combining primary care, mental wellness, youth treatment, and social services for First Nations clients.
• Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA): Indigenous-led health authority operating hospitals, primary care, and long-term care for remote Treaty #5 and Treaty #9 First Nations along the James Bay coast, with a comparable integrated health and social services mandate.
• Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health: Ottawa-based Indigenous health centre delivering primary care, mental wellness, youth programs, and cultural services under a culturally grounded model parallel to KCA's Family & Community Wellbeing and Mental Health & Addictions offerings.
• Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC): Indigenous Health Access Centre offering primary care, mental health, traditional healing, and community programs across southwestern Ontario; directly comparable in service portfolio to KCA's Health and Mental Health & Addictions divisions.
• Kenora District Services Board (KDSB): Regional services board partnering with KCA on the Indigenous-led HART Hub and broader social/health programs in the Kenora district; directly comparable as a co-development partner delivering community social services.
• Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority: Indigenous health authority serving remote First Nations communities in northwestern Ontario with primary care, mental health, and public health programs, structurally analogous to KCA's multi-portfolio health and social services model.

Broad incumbents

• Grand Council Treaty #3: Treaty-level political and service-coordination body overarching KCA and its member First Nations; relevant as the broader Indigenous governance umbrella within which KCA operates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kenorachiefs
• Facebookfacebook.com/kenorachiefs
• Instagraminstagram.com/kenorachiefs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kenora-chiefs-advisory

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kenora Chiefs Advisory