NEW ERA OF HEALTH AND PROGRESS (2017-2024)

With an announcement by Minister Jane Philpott, Norway House Cree Nation (NHCN) embarked on a monumental initiative to demonstrate true health devolution. This historic endeavor saw NHCN leading the design, build, and construction of one of the largest health capital commitments in Canada. Partnering with key stakeholders, NHCN conducted extensive community engagement sessions to identify current health needs and envision a future where the community’s health system could provide comprehensive care, from birth to end-of-life.

In 2017, NHCN faced three critical issues within its health system. First, ensuring that all current and future community-based programs were right-funded, involving quantifying patient volumes and health outcomes. Second, addressing fragmentation and jurisdictional barriers by integrating technology to achieve a fully integrated clinical and preventive care model. Third, planning, designing, and building a new Health Centre of Excellence. This comprehensive approach resulted in a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Canada to initiate a community-led devolution plan focused on these key priorities.

The project, supported by the Health Services Integration Fund (HSIF) and an initial $100 million capital funding commitment from the Government of Canada announced in 2018, marked a significant step forward. The Norway House Cree Nation Health Centre of Excellence, a state-of-the-art facility, aims to provide emergency services, in-patient care, diagnostic services, and community-based programs. This initiative showcases what can

be achieved through self-governance, clear vision, and perseverance.

A pivotal aspect of this initiative was NHCN’s ability to procure its partners, including LM Architectural Group, Stantec, and Sigfusson Northern Ltd. Through a partnership with Sigfusson Northern, NHCN established a Joint Venture company, JNR Construction, prioritizing the employment of local NHCN community members throughout each phase of construction. The procurement policy enabled an investment of $21 Million into the economy through salaries, procurement, and community engagement. Utilizing a local workforce helped the project move forward despite the challenges posed by COVID-19.

Today, we have a truly integrated facility where all federal, provincial, and local programs are housed in one stateof-the-art building. This facility focuses on blending Western health practices with Indigenous ways of being, fully supporting a holistic model of care.

This new Health Centre stands as a testament to the community’s resilience and dedication to healthcare excellence. It honors the rich history of the Norway House Indian Hospital, filled with personal stories and memories, while paving the way for a healthier, brighter future.