From grief to healing: How one Anishinaabe Niniwag turned loss into a journey of wellness and balance – Anishinabek News
November 6, 2025
SAULT STE. MARIE, ONTARIO – When Dr. Chett Monague stood before a room of health professionals at this year’s Anishinabek Nation Health Conference, his message was both personal and healing. Through some tears, laughter, and reflection, he shared how the loss of his brother to diabetes set him on a life-changing path toward self-discovery and balance rooted in both Indigenous and Western teachings.
“I wanted to change. I couldn’t keep living the same way,” he said. “I needed to be healthy for my family, for my community, and for myself.”
Growing up in an island community, Dr. Monague recalled struggling with his weight from an early age. Access to fresh and nutritious food was often limited and made families reliant on foods that could last, but not necessarily nourish.
