WIIKWEMKOONG—With the clock ticking toward a July 2025 deadline (when the current licence runs out) to build a new $43 million 96-bed long-term nursing home in the community to replace the somewhat long of tooth Wiikwemkoong Nursing Home, the Wiikwemkoong Elder’s Residence Committee held a ground-breaking ceremony on Friday, May 26.
The ground-breaking ceremony began, in good way, with a sunrise ceremony at 5:30 am, followed by an 8 am breakfast and 10 am ceremony featuring opening remarks and a ground-breaking ceremony complete with shovels and traditional ceremonies overseen by elder Richard Assinewai (Animkii-Ankwad) who opened the 10 am observances with a prayer and invocation in Anishinaabemowin, going on to explain the various traditional ceremonies that include offering semaa to the many spirits of rock, tree and soil that will be displaced to make way for the new residence and the four fires, each nurtured with ashes from the previous sacred fires, that will be accompanying the various stages of the building and its eventual occupation. Mr. Assinewai explained that he was schooled in the proper way to prepare the residence by his mentor, Joe Big George.
As Mr. Assinewai spoke, the first of the four fires offered its voice skyward—some of its ashes already ensconced within a birch bark container. The second fire will be lit when the shell of the building is erected, the third when the building is complete and the fourth and final fire will be ignited when a “grand opening” takes place.
“Our current and future elders need this elders’ home,” said Ogimaa Rachel Manitowabi. “They are the heartbeat of our history, our knowledge and language. The Elders are our most esteemed group within our nation.”
Ogimaa Manitowabi noted the importance of the facility “to keep our elders housed on our traditional territory that will help our traditional and cultural roles stay intact. Elders will be available to provide teachings and many of our own people will facilitate excellent care to them. An elders’ home on traditional land, where culture and language is vibrant, will help us maintain our continued adherence of tradition and culture–thereby keeping the circle strong.”
Ogimaa Manitowabi was joined at the event by a number of former band chiefs, including her immediate predecessor and former fundraising committee co-chair Duke Peltier and Ogimaas Robert ‘Bobby’ Corbiere and Gladys Wakegijig. Also in attendance were a number of chiefs and councillors from surrounding First Nation communities, including UCCMM Tribal Chair (and Aundeck Omni Kaning Chief) Patsy Corbiere, former Whitefish River chief Leona Nawegahbow.
“This is a great day,” said Mr. Peltier, who invoked the memory of those whose vision sowed the seeds of the Wiikwemkoong Nursing Home, especially Boniface George whose initial spark and subsequent determination, fostered by the band leadership of the day led to its establishment in 1972 as the first nursing home on a First Nation territory. Mr. Peltier also recalled Ogimaa John Wakegijig, whose life was lost in a tragic accident while returning from a trip to lobby for funding.
The current nursing home opened its doors in 1972 with a capacity of 59 residents and over the past five decades, provincial standards for nursing home facilities have changed, he noted, and with these changes, Wiikwemkoong’s current long-term care home does not meet current standards.
Among those cited for their contributions were Wilfred Rivers ba, Jacob Boniface ba, Ignatius Gabow ba and Andy Manitowabi ba.
WNH resident representative Jett Francis spoke on the excitement being felt by the current home’s residents in anticipation of the new home. Mr. Francis noted the “great job” being done by the current staff of the home, including acting administrator and director of care Elizabeth Cooper.
Former band councillor Raymond Jackson read a greeting from Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes, who expressed regret that she had a previous engagement at another ground-breaking in the riding.
Among the many groups thanked were those involved in Wiikwemkoong community fundraising efforts, the Ontario Long-Term Care Ministry, Indigenous Services Canada and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation for providing funds to help realize the new elders’ home.
Among early donations were two facilitated by Mr. Peltier: TD Canada with $750,000 and Hydro One offering three installments of $25,000 over three years.
Following the ground-breaking ceremony, a community feast was held for the participants.
