KENORA – At a signing ceremony, attended by Bob Nault, Indigenous, Kenora Métis and Non-Indigenous leaders in the Kenora area, today announced they will work together towards the development of an All Nations Health Care System.
The unprecedented partnership was recognized with a signing ceremony on Wauzhushk Onigum First Nation this afternoon. The leadership group is comprised of Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh from Grand Council Treaty #3, the Chiefs from the 10 First Nations communities in the area, the Mayors of Kenora and Sioux-Narrows Nestor Falls, and the President of the Kenora Métis Council.
“I believe, it’s time for all levels of governments to meet their commitments to First Nation communities, Métis, and northerners by accepting historical agreements and moving away from ongoing jurisdictional discussions,” stated Nault. “The creation of an All Nations health care facility will help to improve the quality of life for everyone living in the region.”
The leadership group will direct the Health Care Working group, which will address issues in health care such as patient mobility, recruitment and retention, and the creation of a new hospital and health care campus to provide improved health care outcomes for the area.
The resolution signifies the intent to work together to develop a health care vision for the Kenora area that addresses current gaps, which would essentially be a new, All Nations health care system and also to oversee the development of a new All Nations hospital and health care campus in Kenora.
“I’m extremely proud of the leadership demonstrated by all those involved and I look forward to my continued participation to see the All Nations Hospital and Health Care Campus become a reality,” concluded Nault.
In addition the project includes the area’s health care agencies including: Lake of the Woods District Hospital, Waasegiizhig Naanaandawe’iyewigamig Health Access Centre, Sunset Family Health Team, local physicians, Kenora District Services Board, Northwestern Health Unit, Kenora Health HUB, the Kenora and District Home for the Aged and others.
