Duane Hicks
FORT FRANCES—Rainy Lake First Nations Pharmacy, a partnership between the Rainy Lake Tribal Development Corp. and pharmacist Edwin Bruyere, held its grand-opening Monday at the Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre on Couchiching.
The new pharmacy, located at 1460 Idylwild Drive, has been built as an expansion onto the health access centre and now is open to provide everyone—not just those utilizing the health access centre services—with dispensing and counselling services.
At Monday’s grand-opening, Elder Calvin Ottertail of Lac La Croix recited a prayer to commemorate the new business.
“I feel very honoured to be here, to be a part of this new pharmacy that we’re opening today,” said Ottertail.
“It is a special day.”
He also gave Bruyere an eagle feather—one of the highest honours to be given to a person in an Anishinaabe ceremony—and wished him well on the new venture.
Ottertail explained the eagle feather will help provide Bruyere with guidance in times of uncertainty.
Couchiching Chief Chuck McPherson, who also is president of the Rainy Lake Tribal Development Corp., was overjoyed at the opening.
“This is, pardon the language, one hell of a moment for me. Words can’t express how proud I am of this,” Chief McPherson noted.
“I watched [Bruyere] grow up,” he added. “He was a hockey player, he was a golfer, he was a prankster.
“Now he’s a consummate professional.
“We developed this concept a number of years ago, but it was like beating your head against the wall,” Chief McPherson added.
“It doesn’t come together
without the right people, and certainly the key element in this whole venture is Mr. Bruyere.
“I can’t be more proud of him,” Chief McPherson stressed.
“If you look up role model in the dictionary, it should have a picture of him . . . for all of our young people to look at and aspire to and attain the heights that he’s going to achieve, and has achieved right now.”
Among other parties, Chief McPherson thanked the areas chiefs participating in the Rainy Lake Tribal Development Corp.
“Collectively, there’s no stopping us,” he vowed.
Bruyere was humble at Monday’s grand-opening, opting for heartfelt appreciation to those who made it all possible over speeches.
“Thank you very much everyone,” he remarked. “I appreciate this time and I appreciate all of the help I’ve had.”
Bruyere thanked the Rainy Lake Tribal Development Corp. and areas chiefs for supporting the idea; his wife, Sandra, who helped him become a pharmacist; Shanna Weir, executive director of the Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre, and her staff; Ottertail; Tony Marinaro; Royal Bank of Canada for assisting with development costs; Pwi-Di-Goo-Zing Ne-Yaa-Zhing Advisory Services; and Gerald Wieringa of True Line Construction.
A special thanks also went out to Gord Steeves, RBC senior commercial account manager (aboriginal market) in Winnipeg.
“Gord had enough faith in us to see this thing through, and to listen to us when we first met with [him]. We certainly appreciate that,” said Richard Bruyere, executive director of Pwi-Di-Goo-Zing Ne-Yaa-Zhing Advisory Services.
“I wish you, Edwin, all the best with the pharmacy,” said Steeves. “I know I’ve heard good things of you from Chuck . . . I know the pharmacy is in good hands.
“On behalf of the Royal Bank, we appreciate the opportunity that was presented to us get involved,” he added.
“It was a solid business plan, and we look forward to an ongoing relationship and bigger and better things.”
For her part, Weir said the pharmacy will enhance the service provided at the health access centre.
“We’re very excited to have the pharmacy attached to the health access centre,” she enthused.
“It’s only going to increase access to patients we provide service to, access to their medications as well as Edwin’s expertise.
“It will complement all of the rest of the wonderful things we do here,,” added Weir.
“We’re quite excited about the prospects and very happy that he’s open now.”
The pharmacy, which is staffed by Bruyere and pharmacy technician Laura Bruyere, had a soft opening last week.
In an interview earlier Monday, Bruyere said he’s been very pleased with the response from the public so far.
“So far, it’s exceeded the expectations I had,” he remarked.
“I didn’t set the bar very high because I don’t want to get my sights set too high,” he admitted.
“But it was definitely more productive than I thought it was going to be, so that’s encouraging.”
In addition to pharmacy customers, Bruyere said many people have been coming by just to see the place and show their support.
“I knew there was support there, but it’s quite visible to me now,” he noted.
The new pharmacy helps make the health access centre a place for “one-stop shopping.”
But Bruyere stressed the pharmacy is like any other one, and is “for anyone.”
It is open Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and again Fridays from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
An expansion onto the health access centre, the pharmacy has an entrance connected to that building, as well as a separate one outside.
The 800 sq. ft. business consists of a security area, dispensing area, preparation area, and counselling office.
The business was built by local contractors True Line Construction and Trevor Strom Contracting.
In addition to being a new chapter in Bruyere’s career, the venture also helps diversify the Rainy Lake Tribal Development Corp.’s investments.
As well, it addresses some of the concerns raised by a 2007 economic impact study which indicated Rainy Lake First Nations should try to retain some funds within the community instead of just being consumers.
The RLTDC’s other economic investments include the Landmark Inn in Thunder Bay, Rainy Lake Tribal Contracting, Rainy Lake Logistics, and Rainy Lake First Peoples Insurance.
(Fort Frances Times)
