Grand Opening of the new Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre on Oct 15
Press release
Grand Opening of the new Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre
Sioux Lookout, Ontario, October 7, 2010 - Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre is pleased to announce it has reached substantial completion of the new health facility and will celebrate its Grand Opening ceremony on Friday, October 15, 2010.
“Many people have been working tirelessly for over 20 years and to see that this day has finally arrived is great for the people of Sioux Lookout and the northern communities”, said Frank Beardy Co-Chair of the hospital board. The new Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win hospital is a result of a historic agreement between the Municipality of Sioux Lookout, 30 First Nations communities represented by Nishnawbe Aski Nation, the province of Ontario and the Government of Canada to work jointly to build a new hospital to replace the two aging hospitals in Sioux Lookout. Kai Koivukoski pointed out that “this process has demonstrated that when we cooperate and work together we can accomplish great things”.
There are a number of events planned for the week of October 11th culminating with the official Grand Opening celebration on October 15th and a community event open to the public on Saturday October 16th. Events scheduled for October 15th include hospital tours, traditional drumming and singing, an Earth Gathering ceremony, and speeches by dignitaries representing signatories to the Four Party Agreement. The Honorable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health will represent the provincial government and Grand Chief Stan Beardy will represent the Nishnawbe Aski Nation. Mayor Poling of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout will be in attendance and representatives of the federal government will also attend. An official ribbon cutting ceremony will be followed by a light luncheon.
A Community Opening and People Parade is scheduled for the general public on Saturday, October 16, 2010. The parade will begin at the Fifth Avenue Hospital Site and proceed to the new health facility. Events will include an open house, children’s activity area, speeches, traditional drum and singing, music and refreshments.
Dave Murray CEO added that “while this is a time to celebrate there is also much work to be done to ensure a smooth transition as we move services and staff from multiple locations around the community to a single site. We will shift all services during the first week of November with the hospital being fully operational by November 7th.”
Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre invites everyone to come out and participate in the celebrations of the grand opening of our new health centre.
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For more information, please contact:
Dave Murray, President & CEO
Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre
807-737-5130