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$28M announced for Indigenous health centre in Kenora

A new facility will house primary health care and all services provided by Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig Aboriginal Health Access Centre under one roof.
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Initial Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig health access centre concept designs, released in December 2022. (WNHAC)

KENORA — A multi-million dollar building in downtown Kenora will house a new Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig Aboriginal Health Access Centre (WNHAC) facility.

On Thursday, the province announced $28 million in funding to support the construction of the new facility at the site of the former Kenwood Hotel.

The new centre will house primary health care, mental health and social work services, diabetes education and other services, including foot care and dental hygiene – all in a culturally sensitive context with access to traditional healing.

"With approximately 15,000 registered clients, the WNHAC team has a tremendous reputation for providing services at every step of the healing journey, and our government is proud to support them in this legacy infrastructure project in downtown Kenora,"said Kenora MPP Greg Rickford in a written new release.

Deputy premier and health minister Sylvia Jones was also quoted: “Our investment to help build the new and improved Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig centre will connect more Indigenous people and families in the Kenora area to holistic, culturally sensitive primary health care that better supports their physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental well-being.”

Once complete, the new building will allow WNHAC to bring all it's programs and services under one roof. The organization first announced the plans for the new space in December 2022.

According to the release, the new centre is expected to improve timely access to high quality and Indigenous-led health care and reduce pressure on the emergency department.



Leigh Nunan

About the Author: Leigh Nunan

Leigh started as managing editor of TBnewswatch in October 2024, after working as a video journalist with TBT News both in Thunder Bay and across the region. She previously worked delivering media training in northwestern Ontario First Nations.
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