SAULT STE. MARIE—Two Manitoulin Island area Anishinabek health workers have been honoured for their dedication in health services.
Beverly Nahwegahbow, of Whitefish River First Nation (WRFN), who is the medical transportation coordinator at WRFN and Eleanor Debassige of M’Chigeeng First Nation, who works at Mnaamodzawin Health Services, were both honoured as Anishinabek Heroes in Health at the Tony H. Jocko Memorial Heroes in Health Awards at the 8th annual Anishinabek Nation health conference in Sault Ste. Marie on January 17.
“We are proud to celebrate the Tony H. Jocko Memorial Heroes of Health Awards today,” said Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief Mel Hardy, in a release. “These awards are presented to essential and front-line community workers who have been exemplary in their roles. They carry out their responsibilities with integrity and consistently strive to promote healing and wellness for Anishinabek citizens. We appreciate the consistent dedication and sacrifice of all our healthcare workers and send our deepest gratitude to the award recipients for your contributions.”
“Beverly (Nahwegahbow) is currently the medical transportation coordinator at WRFN. Bev has worn many hats in her time at WRFN and also with other healthcare organizations over the course of her career. In her current role, she ensures our community members that travel near and far for appointments or treatments get the transportation they require and have accommodations and/or meals when required. Bev does all of this with a sunny disposition and often goes well beyond her job description to ensure our community members get whatever supports they require in order to be well.”
Kim Armstrong, health manager at WRFN who nominated Ms. Nahwegabow for the award said, “Bev is the kind of co-worker that continuously steps up to support our team at the health centre and any other team that may be in need of an extra pair of hands.”
In the nomination letter for Eleanor Debassige it is stated she, “has worked at Mnaamodzawin Health Services Inc. in the role of diabetes health promotion worker since 1995. She has always gone above and beyond for the clients and communities she serves, providing diabetes information, education, programming, and events. She is well-known for her events such as the Mocc Walk, the Turkey Trot, nutrition bingos, grocery store tours, cooking demonstrations, wellness events, and the annual diabetes conference. Eleanor puts her whole heart into her work, often testing out recipes or doing some food prep at home on her own time to be prepared for her events.”
“Eleanor has also been instrumental in the development and execution of our workplace Aadziwin Program, which provides fun learning opportunities for staff to learn Anishinaabemowin and cultural teachings. She is a well-respected member of our staff, her community, and all of Manitoulin Island. Recently, Eleanor had the honour of becoming a pipe and drum carrier, a role she embraces and carries with honour. Her infectious laugh can be heard throughout the hallways of Mnaamodzawin Health Services Inc., and you can’t help but join in. Her sense of humour brings much laughter and enjoyment to our workplace.”
“Eleanor is very proud of her family, her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, including the very youngest-her namesake,” the nomination letter continues. “With Eleanor’s planned retirement in 2023, we wish her all the best and thank her for so many years of dedicated service!”
The Anishinabek News reported that Anishinabek Nation Northern Superior regional deputy grand council Chief Mel Hardy was on hand at the 8th Annual Anishinabek Nation health conference to present the awards.
‘Empowering ourselves to strengthen our future’ was the theme for this year’s conference and the Tony H. Jocko Memorial Heroes in Health Awards are named after Tony Jocko-baa who worked tirelessly for the Anishinabek Nation as a federal health policy analyst.
