Ontario Invests $28M to build Aboriginal health centre in Kenora

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Ontario Construction News staff writer

The Government of Ontario has announced a $28 million investment to support the construction of the new Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig Aboriginal Health Access Centre (WNHAC) in downtown Kenora. This funding will enhance access to community-led primary care services for Indigenous individuals and families, closer to home.

“Our government is making historic investments to ensure that people of all ages, no matter where they live, can access the care they need, when they need it,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “This investment will help create the new Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig centre, connecting more Indigenous families in Kenora to holistic, culturally sensitive primary care that supports their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.”

The new facility will bring together Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig’s programs and services, which are currently spread across multiple sites in the region, into a single central location. This consolidation aims to improve access to Indigenous-led healthcare, reduce unnecessary emergency department visits at Lake of the Woods District Hospital, and ensure timely care for the community.

“Today’s $28 million investment is a significant step toward enhancing the delivery and quality of care throughout the region,” said Greg Rickford, MPP for Kenora—Rainy River and Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation. “With approximately 15,000 registered clients, the WNHAC team has earned an outstanding reputation for providing services at every stage of the healing journey. Our government is proud to support this legacy infrastructure project in downtown Kenora.”

Once complete, the centre will offer a variety of holistic, Indigenous-designed health and wellness programs, including:

  • Primary care from physicians, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses.
  • Mental health counselling, social work, and culturally relevant services like traditional healing.
  • Diabetes education and health promotion services.
  • Allied health services, including podiatry, foot care, and dental hygiene.

“We are excited to see this project become a reality after many years of planning and persistence,” said Paul Derouard, interim CEO of Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig. “The new centre will greatly enhance our ability to provide accessible, culturally grounded healthcare to the communities we serve. This is a reflection of our commitment to supporting the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health of our clients.”

“For over 25 years, Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig has been providing compassionate, comprehensive 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 Health Partners Ontario Health Team. “This investment will significantly benefit the health system and improve outcomes by ensuring patients receive the right care, at the right time, in the right setting.”

The new Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig centre represents a major step toward advancing the health and wellness of Indigenous communities in the Kenora area.

 

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