Health Canada potential delay of funding for construction of new Sioux Lookout hostel
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Press Release ...
NAN and AFN to seek commitment to former agreement to construct Sioux Lookout Zone hostel
THUNDER BAY, ON, July 4 /CNW/ - Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler together with Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine, Lac Seul First Nation Chief David Gordon, and Sandy Lake First Nation Chief Pardemus Anishinabie, will host a news conference in Sioux Lookout Thursday to announce the results of a Wednesday meeting with Assistant Deputy Minister of First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (a division of Health Canada).
- DATE: Thursday July 6, 2006
- TIME: 12:00 p.m.
- LOCATION: Sioux Lookout Hostel, 76 Seventh Avenue, Sioux Lookout
* Please note: Supporters will gather at the Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre at 11:30 a.m. prior to walking to the Hostel
The group is meeting with Assistant Deputy Minister Ian Potter to seek a formal commitment to start construction of a new hostel in Sioux Lookout - part of a 1997 four-party agreement between the Governments of Canada and Ontario, the Municipality of Sioux Lookout, and Nishnawbe Aski Nation plus four Treaty 3 communities to build a new hospital in Sioux Lookout.
Depending on the outcome of Wednesday's meeting taking place in Ottawa, First Nation community leadership and members are prepared to close the doors and label condemned the 57-year-old, 39-bed hostel containing asbestos, mould, graffiti-covered walls, and only two co-ed washrooms.
As an essential support to hospital services, the hostel houses patients from more than 30 First Nation communities across Northwestern Ontario when receiving medical care from Sioux Lookout Meno-Ya-Win Health Centre (Sioux Lookout Zone hospital and Sioux Lookout District hospital). Health services are provided to all residents within Sioux Lookout and surrounding area, including NAN First Nation communities north of Sioux Lookout, Lac Seul First Nation, and residents of Pickle Lake and Savant Lake.
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/For further information: Jenna Young, Director of Communications, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, (807) 625-4952 or (807) 628-3953 mobile; Bryan Hendry, Communications Officer - Health, Assembly of First Nations, (613) 241-6789 or (613) 293-6106
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