Norway House Cree Nation receives $100 million commitment from Government of Canada to build Health Centre of Excellence

NORWAY HOUSE CREE NATION, TREATY 5 TERRITORY, MB, Sept., 07, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is working in partnership with First Nations to improve health outcomes and access to health services for First Nations through health transformation investments.

Today, while visiting Norway House Cree Nation, Manitoba, the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), announced the Government of Canada will invest $100 million over the next five years for the construction of the Norway House Cree Nation Health Centre of Excellence. The driving force behind this project is the community of Norway House Cree Nation, and community members have been leading the planning and design of the centre, based on the current and future needs of the community.

The fully integrated health facility will provide emergency, in-patient, diagnostic community-based programs and services to the 8,000 residents of Norway House Cree Nation and the surrounding region. This new facility will replace the existing Norway House Hospital.

The long-term plan is for the facility to be operated by the community. The Norway House Cree Nation Health Centre of Excellence will be the largest health centre in Manitoba history under First Nations control.

Quotes

"Our Government is fully committed to supporting First Nations-led health transformation in our shared priority of improving health outcomes for First Nations people. Today's announcement for a new health facility in Norway House Cree Nation is an example of our government's partnership in this endeavor, and I congratulate Chief Anderson and the entire community for their leadership in making this project a reality. In the future this facility will be the largest health centre in Manitoba history under First Nations leadership."

The Honourable Jane Philpott, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous Services

"Today is a historic day for our community, Norway House Cree Nation is honoured that Indigenous Services Canada recognizes the strength and capacity of our nation to design and build this facility. This new state of the art facility will not only address the health care needs of our community, but will also create education, training and employment opportunities for our people, while empowering our health programs to further strengthen partnerships with all stakeholders and enhance community based services."

Chief Larson Anderson
Norway House Cree Nation:

"The development of this health centre is the culmination of 30 years of vision and planning; starting with the birth of adult education and post-secondary education in our community which has resulted in Norway House graduating our own nurses, physician, x-ray technicians, lab technicians and support staff. This is a health centre that will be built by Indigenous people, run by Indigenous people, in our territory and using our traditional language to serve our community and teach future health care providers. When we speak of improving health outcomes of Indigenous peoples of Canada, Norway house will be at the forefront of that change."

Dr. Courtney Campbell Leary, MD.
Lecturer Department of Family Medicine University of Manitoba
Site education lead Norway House. Member of Norway House Cree Nation.

"The federal government's investment in health infrastructure in Norway House is a significant step to address the current healthcare inequity in this community. In addition to addressing the healthcare needs of the community, it will continue to serve as a

training hub for physicians who will go on to work in other under serviced areas in Manitoba and Canada."

Dr. Adrienne Morrow
Chief of Staff, Norway House Hospital & Senior Medical Advisor, NHCN Health Centre of Excellence:

Quick Facts

• The project also includes a sweat lodge, professional accommodations building, and maintenance garage.
• The Centre will also have a Family Birthing Unit with two birthing rooms for labour and delivery, recovery and post-partum care; one birth room specifically designed to accommodate Midwifery support.  
• It includes an Emergency Care department with one two-bay trauma room, 1 major procedure room, 2 observation stretchers, 4 exam/treatment rooms and 1 bariatric isolation exam room.
• The facility will have a centralized cultural hall with adjacent conference and learning facilities, inclusive of a teaching kitchen
• Physician services will continue to be provided by Ongomiizwin, the University of Manitoba's Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing and the Primary Care Clinic space is specifically designed to support an integrated care model and all current and future education and training activities
• Fully integrated facility that also includes all community based health programs and community owned and operated retail pharmacy operations.

Associated Links

Norway House Cree Nation 
L.M. Architects 
Ongomiizwin – The Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing

https://www.canada.ca/en/indigenous-services-canada.html

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SOURCE Indigenous Services Canada

Media may contact: Rachel Rappaport, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, 819-934-2796; Media Relations, Indigenous Services Canada, 819-953-1160, [email protected]; Rupinder Brar, Project Director, NHCN Health Centre of Excellence, [email protected], 204-391-6223; Alexandra Cropp, Project Coordinator, NHCN Health Centre of Excellence, [email protected], 204-960-4635