A New Vision for Wellness in Westwind Schools
Recognizing that wellness is foundational to success, Westwind School Division is launching Westwind Wellness | Niistomskan, a comprehensive initiative dedicated to fostering the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of our students, staff, and families. This initiative enhances existing support systems and introduces new, culturally responsive opportunities to strengthen wellness across all Westwind schools.
As part of this launch, a Westwind Wellness logo has been unveiled that builds on the division's branding while incorporating meaningful symbols that reflect a holistic view of well-being.
The new logo features an open hand and a feather. In Blackfoot culture, the feather symbolizes honour, protection, and spiritual connection, often given in recognition of strength or service. Its inclusion acknowledges the personal journeys of our students and staff, emphasizing that wellness must be supported with respect and care. The open hand represents community, support, and our collective responsibility to help one another flourish.
Niistomskan is the Blackfoot word meaning “our body is well/healthy.” Including this word in the initiative’s name and logo, Westwind honours the Blackfoot language, reinforcing the importance of language revitalization and cultural respect in the journey toward wellness. This concept reflects a deeply rooted understanding of health, not simply as the absence of illness, but as a balanced state of being that encompasses connection to oneself, one's land, community, and culture.
Each month, Westwind Wellness will share a digital newsletter focusing on a specific wellness theme. The newsletter will offer practical strategies for students and families, provide information for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (FNMI) communities, showcase achievements from schools throughout the division, and highlight upcoming events. To promote cultural inclusion and language revitalization, each issue will also feature the Blackfoot name of the month, honouring the traditions of the Blackfoot Confederacy on whose land we are privileged to learn and live.
In addition to these monthly communications, Clare Mehew and Cammie Fox, who help lead the Westwind Wellness initiative, will visit schools regularly throughout the year to engage with students and staff, deliver wellness presentations, and provide hands-on support. They will also organize wellness conferences and community events to further connect families with tools, resources, and culturally meaningful support.
“Westwind Wellness is about equipping students with the tools they need to care for their whole selves; mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially. We want our families to feel supported and know that we are here to walk alongside them,” says Clare Mehew, Student Development Support Worker.
“As we honour Indigenous teachings and holistic wellness, this initiative provides an opportunity to reconnect with the land, our communities, and the practices that keep us strong; mentally, emotionally, and culturally,” adds Cammie Fox, Indigenous Family Connections Worker.
The inaugural September newsletter introduces the initiative's goals, explores what “wellness” truly means, and invites our school communities to reflect on the significance of Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, reinforcing Westwind’s commitment to the principle that “Every Child Matters.”
To read the current newsletter or learn more, visit: