According to a press release from the Ontario government, $28 million in tax dollars has been allocated for the funding for the construction of a new Indigenous primary health centre in Kenora. The facility, called the “Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig Aboriginal Health Access Centre” will incorporate “a range of Indigenous designed and delivered holistic healing, health and wellness programs.” Moreover, this announcement has government officials, in addition to leaders from Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig and Lake of the Woods District Hospital, declaring the investment will meaningfully foster wellness in the region.
“The Ontario government is investing over $28 million to support the construction of the new Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig Aboriginal Health Access Centre in downtown Kenora, connecting more Indigenous people and families to community-led primary care services, closer to home,” reads the release. “The new and modernized facility will consolidate Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig programs and services currently provided across multiple sites in the Kenora area, into one convenient central location that will enhance timely access to high-quality Indigenous-led health care and reduce unnecessary emergency department visits at Lake of the Woods District Hospital.”
The services offered at the new Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig Aboriginal Health Access Centre include primary care physicians and nurses, social workers, mental health workers, education and traditional healing.
Moreover, this “significant step” is something Greg Rickford, MPP for Kenora—Rainy River and Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation confirms as support for the Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig team.
“[The] $28 million investment in the all-new Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig Aboriginal Health Access Centre is another significant step our government is taking to improve the delivery and quality of care across the entire region,” said Rickford. “With approximately 15,000 registered clients, the Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig team has a tremendous reputation for providing services at every step of the healing journey, and our government is proud to support them in this legacy infrastructure project in downtown Kenora.”
Furthermore, this confirmation of financial resources from the provincial government has some suggesting it will “positively impact” the community, or congratulate the provincial government.
“Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig is thrilled to see this project come to fruition after many years of planning and perseverance,” said Paul Derouard, Interim CEO of Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig. “The new centre will positively impact our ability to provide culturally grounded, accessible health care to the communities we serve. It’s a reflection of our commitment to fostering wellness, honouring traditions, and supporting the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health of our clients. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed to making this vision a reality”
“For over 25 years, Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig has provided comprehensive, compassionate primary care for Indigenous people in our region,” said Cheryl O’Flaherty, President and CEO of Lake of the Woods district hospital and Co-chair of the All Nations Helth Partners Ontario team. “Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig is an important partner of Kenora’s hospital, and this meaningful investment will significantly benefit the overall health system. When a patient receives the right care, at the right time, in the right setting – we see improved health outcomes, and that is the ultimate goal of the All Nations Health Partners Ontario Health Team. Congratulations to Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig and the Province!”
