Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory calls on federal government to prevent imminent displacement of Elders

WIIKWEMKOONG UNCEDED TERRITORY (August 6, 2024) – Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory is urgently calling on the federal government to provide the remaining funds needed to construct a new Elders’ home, crucial for preventing the displacement of its senior residents, many of whom are Indian Residential School Survivors.

“Our Elders, many of whom are Survivors of Residential Schools, face displacement for a second time if we do not secure the necessary funding. The federal government must act now to support our community and ensure our Elders can remain in a culturally supportive environment,” stated Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory Ogmiaa Kwe Rachel Manitowabi.

The current Wiikwemkoong Elders’ Home, built in 1972, is no longer viable and will lose its license. Without a new facility, Elders will be forced to relocate to other facilities across Ontario, stripping them of their community, culture, and essential support systems.

“This home is not just a building; it is where our history, our culture, and our stories are alive. Being forced to leave would be like losing a piece of who we are. We need the federal government to see our value and help us stay together,” added Jett Francis, President of Resident Council.

Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory applied to the federal government in February 2022, seeking the $20 million required to ensure the construction of the new Elders’ home. As of now, there has been no response, leaving the community in a precarious position.

“Our community has shown incredible dedication, raising over $2 million through grassroots efforts. We are calling on the federal government to honour their commitment to Indigenous communities by providing the remaining funds needed to build a new home for our Elders. Additionally, this project secures 60 well-paying jobs within our community, with an additional 60 positions to service the additional beds. Without the new facility, these skilled workers will have to move elsewhere to find employment, which will have devastating economic impacts on Wiikwemkoong,” expressed Elizabeth Cooper, Director of Care/Administrator at the Wiikwemkoong Nursing Home.

Wiikwemkoong’s Elders’ Home project represents not just a construction effort, but a vital investment in the preservation of culture and community for future generations. The new facility is designed to be a place where traditional knowledge, language, and practices can be passed down, engaging youth and maintaining the cultural fabric of the Wiikwemkoong community.

The situation is urgent, and the federal government’s support is critical. The new home will ensure that Elders can live with dignity, surrounded by their family, community, and culture, rather than being displaced across the province.

KEY FACTS

The existing Wiikwemkoong Elders’ Home, built over 50 years ago, houses 59 beds and is in dire need of numerous improvements. Recognizing the urgency, the Wiikwemkoong community has embarked on a project to build a new, culturally relevant nursing home. This new facility, estimated to cost $60 million, will add 37 much-needed beds, bringing the total to 96 beds. Currently, we are at full capacity with 25 applications on our wait-list and anticipate more with our Elder population growth. The design of the new home emphasizes a connection to traditional teachings and cultural practices, ensuring that it serves not just as a residence, but as a vibrant cultural hub for Elders.

The Government of Ontario has committed $30.8 million towards the project, and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) will contribute an additional $7.5 million. Through grassroots fundraising initiatives and major corporate donations, the community has raised between $2 and $2.5 million. Despite these significant contributions, a funding gap remains, and the federal government has been asked to provide the remaining $20 million needed to complete the project.

ABOUT WIIKWEMKOONG UNCEDED TERRITORY

Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory is a proud, progressive, and prosperous First Nation steeped in the Indigenous culture and language of the Anishinabek. Centered on Odawa Mnis, Manitoulin Island, and the surrounding islands in Lake Huron, Wiikwemkoong retains these lands for future generations to continue being Anishinaabe. The lands are unceded, with no rights relinquished to any Nation, maintaining governance over the waters, air, and lands, including Islands, as our ancestors have since time immemorial. These lands are the homelands of the Peoples of the Three Fires Confederacy: the Odawa, Ojibway, and Potawatomi.

Wiikwemkoong continues to build partnerships reinforcing our values and traditions with various organizations and local, provincial, and federal governments. In 2014, the Constitution-Wiikwemkoong G’chi Naaknigewin was ratified by the Wiikwemkoong Members, renewing pride in our unique political and legal history. Proud, Progressive, Prosperous, and Unceded, Wiikwemkoong stands committed to preserving its heritage while fostering growth and prosperity. for its people.

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For more information, please contact:
Walter Manitowabi
Campaign Co-Chair
Wiikwemkoong Elder’s Home Capital Campaign
705-303-8344
wmanitowabi@gmail.com