New Hospice Suite now open in Serpent River First Nation
By Leslie Knibbs
SERPENT RIVER FIRST NATION — End-of-life care in First Nations is being improved, fulfilling an undeniable social responsibility to provide reasonable access to palliative care within the home community where those affected live. Hospice care is a type of health care that centres on the mitigation of a terminally ill patient’s pain and symptoms by attending to their emotional and spiritual needs at the end of life.
Hospice care prioritizes comfort and quality of life by reducing pain and suffering. It’s safe to say having family and friends as well as familiar surroundings close by when nearing your spiritual journey makes one’s passage more peaceful.
According to a study done at Lakehead University, “Many First Nations people want the opportunity to die in the communities where they have lived all of their lives.”
In the not-too-distant past, there was limited access to culturally-relevant programs inclusive of Indigenous traditions. Recently, Serpent River First Nation (SRFN) announced the opening of their Community Hospice Suite on Nov. 30 at Geka Wigwam Elders’ Home.
The Geka Elders’ home in SRFN sits in the shade among tall pine trees – a serene setting. Currently, there are six residents.
“The new Hospice suite offers SRFN band and community members the option to receive holistic end-of-life care right here at home, surrounded by their family and friends,” said Sheila Best, the Geka Home and Community Care Coordinator. “End-of-life care requires time and space to happen. Until now, there was no dedicated space for this type of care to be delivered. Our members were passing away in hospitals, away from their family and friends. It is known that many Indigenous people would rather stay in their community and be taken care of, and now, they finally have that option.”
The process for establishing the new Hospice suite began in November 2021 when the Home and Community Care Program applied for funding to develop and enhance end-of-life care for SRFN. The program’s application was approved in 2021 when the project received $110,000 and the same amount again in 2023 from First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care (FNIHCC). All funding went to the construction and furnishing of the suite, as well as staffing.
The new hospice suite is named Zaagijiwese, in honour of Frank Kijadjiwan (Lewis) who began his journey to the Spirit World on March 30, 2022. Frank was 90 years old, a proud father of six children, grandfather to 15, great-grandfather to 31, and great-great-great-grandfather to 10. Frank’s beloved father Robert Zaagijiwese died at a fairly young age. His last name means “one who guards the outside/perimeter.”
Following his passing, Frank was often seen driving around the community throughout the day. Regrettably, Frank wasn’t home for his final journey, which he wanted very much.
“Zaagijiwese’s purpose is to ensure that our community members’ transition to the Spirit World is a social and spiritual event that is honoured and celebrated here, at home, in Serpent River First Nation,” said Best.