Premier RJ Simpson says he hopes a new Indigenous clinic planned for Yellowknife will become a centre of excellence for Indigenous healthcare across the Northwest Territories.
Speaking at the legislature as MLAs reconvened for the fall, Simpson called the planned clinic at the Łıwegǫ̀atì Building “the one I am most excited about” among health facility projects recently announced by the territorial and federal governments.
“I predict that the Łıwegǫ̀atì Indigenous Clinic will grow into a centre of excellence and innovation for Indigenous healthcare that will improve culturally appropriate care across the NWT,” Simpson told MLAs.
“There is no reason we should not be leaders in this field and this investment will help us do that.”
The project is among 16 health-related projects receiving new federal and territorial funding according to a list provided earlier this month.
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
In a statement to Cabin Radio, the Department of Health and Social Services said the clinic, also referred to as the Indigenous Wellness Centre, is being developed through an Indigenous-led process involving an NWT Council of Leaders health and social services working group.
The Council of Leaders features GNWT leadership alongside various Indigenous governments based in the territory. The working group is leading the design process, with its first session scheduled for October 26 and 27.
Indigenous governments are helping to develop recommendations on how the centre will operate, including its services, governance and implementation, the GNWT stated.
The department said the centre is intended to serve Indigenous people from across the NWT, with a focus on culturally safe and community-connected healthcare.
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
As part of the planning process, representatives of the Council of Leaders visited the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health in Ottawa, an Indigenous health and cultural centre offering medical care, mental health support and community programs for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people.
Indigenous government and GNWT representatives have also studied Indigenous-led health and wellness models like the Nuka System of Care in Alaska, the Luma Medical Centre in British Columbia and the Elbow River Healing Lodge in Alberta.
HSS said lessons from those visits, along with previous engagement with Indigenous governments, practitioners and communities, are helping shape the proposed centre.
However, the department said specific services have not yet been determined.
The project remains in the development phase, with work continuing on its service model, governance structure, implementation approach and potential funding options.
An opening date has not been established.
