NAHNDAHWEH TCHIGEHGAMIG Wikwemikong Health Centre project moves to final commitment

WIKWEMIKONG, MANITOULIN ISLAND (December 15, 2016) – A joint review committee consisting of representatives from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, Assembly of First Nations, Native Women’s Association of Canada, and the Status of Women Canada has selected the NAANDWECHIGE-GAMIG Health Centre’s “Shelter for Victims of Violence (Women, Men, Youth and Family)” project as one of five successful applications.  All parties of the joint review had a high level of concern on the provision of shelter services to on-reserve members experiencing family violence.

Wiikwemkoong’s NAANDWECHIGE-GAMIG Health Centre provides services to approximately 3,100 on-reserve members.  The Community Wellness Development Team of the Centre has been active in addressing social issues in Wiikwemkoong, particularly, in the key area of early identification and brief intervention.  The need for a shelter facility was identified by the community to help meet the needs of those experiencing family violence.  Coordinated and collaborative efforts by the community will ensure that the issues related to family violence will be addressed.  Members who require a safe haven from current volatile living environments will now be supported through the Shelter.

In a statement today, Ogimaa Duke Peltier stated that “On behalf of Council, I would like to congratulate the Wellness team led by Mary Jo Wabano on the success of their application to the federal and provincial government.  An official notice has been given and we will be receiving funding to build a Victim’s of Violence Shelter here in Wiikwemkoong.  This was no small feat given that there were only 5 new shelters to be approved across Canada.  We look forward to the completion of the Shelter in our community.”

For more information, contact Mary Jo Wabano, NAANDWECHIGE-GAMIG Health Centre, Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory at (705) 859-3164.