Waolôwzi (waw-law-zee) is an Abenaki phrase meaning “be very well” and “continue to live very well.” It is often used in closing a conversation between people. However, Waolôwzi took on a new meaning when faced with the consequences of the COVID-19 Global pandemic including, but not limited to, closures, and shortages.
Background
VAAA began the Waolôwzi program as an online campaign to help the Abenaki community during this pandemic and to help promote social and mental wellness, celebrate positive changes in N’dakinna, share resources, and remind everyone to be kind. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the program evolved and began outreach to the community, even providing much-needed supplies such as masks, hand sanitizer, and COVID-19 test kits.
Since then, Waolôwzi has become a permanent fixture of VAAA dedicated to the health and welfare of the community.
Waolôwzi: Abenaki Health and Wellness seeks to improve the health and well-being of the community of N’dakinna. Through a melding of traditional and contemporary medicine, our mission is to holistically provide support and resources that are centered in and responsive to the communities we serve while also creating space for cross-cultural healing and understanding.
Our Values:
We embrace a holistic model of care, which treats each individual as a whole person, acknowledging and responding to their physical, emotional, spiritual, and social service needs.
We recognize and respect the diversities of culture, identity, and traditions within our homeland.
Community building and harmonious relations
Accomplishments
- Provided a health clinic at the annual Abenaki Heritage Weekend (2023)
- Distributed over 780 COVID-19 testing kits to Native American community (2021-2022)
- Virtual meetups (2020-2021)
- Provided PPE to almost 280 Abenaki artists, Elders, and community members (2020-2021)
- Launched a social media to share important news about protecting the community
- Social media positivity campaign celebrating graduates and good news
Supporters and Allies
