Healthcare For All
The Lake of the Woods District Hospital (LWDH), in partnership with Kenora Chiefs Advisory (KCA), undertook the planning of an all nations hospital facility, following the directives of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Capital Planning Guidelines. The immediate scope of the project was to complete a Stage 1 Proposal submission and develop the Stage 2 Functional Program for the major hospital redevelopment.
At that time, we were at a historic juncture for Indigenous and Canadian relations in the Kenora area, with all communities taking positive steps towards true partnership and “Reconciliation Through Health.” The Kenora Chiefs Advisory (KCA), Grand Council Treaty 3, the Kenora Metis Council, Iskatewizaagegan No. 39 Independent First Nation, Animakee Wa Zhing #37 First Nation, the City of Kenora, and the Township of Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls had all agreed to the following resolution, which was signed and witnessed in a ceremony: “That all parties agree to work together in partnership in the development of an All Nations Health Care System, including the construction of an All Nations Hospital and Campus, with the express purpose of improving health outcomes for all people of the region it serves.”
Throughout the planning process, we worked towards accessible and culturally safe health care across all sectors and services, focusing on an all nations hospital, while aligning planning within the context of Truth and Reconciliation. This marked one of the first large developments in the Kenora area that embarked on a true planning partnership with our surrounding First Nations communities, municipalities, and the Indigenous population in general.
Project Steering Comittee
Members
- Fred Richardson, Chair of the Steering Committee
- Dolores Sinclair, Kenora Chiefs Advisory (KCA) Representative
- Calvin Morrisseau, Grand Council Treaty #3 Representative
- Liz Boucha, Kenora Metis Council Representative
- City of Kenora Representative
- Dr. Jillie Retson, Physician Representative
- Samantha Gould, LWDH Staff representative
- Lisa Moncrief, City of Kenora Representative
- Sally Johnson, Community Representative
- Brianna Skead, Community Representative
- Jennifer Dreaver, KCA CEO (ex-officio)
- Cheryl O’Flaherty, LWDH VP Corporate Services and Project Executive Sponsor (ex-officio)
- Alison Wesley-James, LWDH VP of Operations & Capital Planning (ex-officio)
- Gillian Nattress, LWDH VP Patient Care (ex-officio)
- Bob Smith, DoKURA Representative
- Ashley Hendy, LWDH Foundation Representative
Project Planning Team
- Cheryl O’Flaherty, LWDH President & CEO
- Alison Wesley-James, LWDH VP of Operations & Capital Planning
- Gillian Nattress, LWDH VP Patient Care
- Joe Barnes, Kenora Chiefs Advisory
- Jennifer Dreaver, Kenora Chiefs Advisory
The purpose of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) is to provide executive direction and oversight to ensure the success of the project. The Committee will ensure the project fulfills commitments to funding partners and local residents, and it is completed within the approved scope, budget and schedule. The PSC will provide financial and strategic stewardship for the project, using influence and authority when required to assist the project in achieving its outcomes.
