Neskantaga First Nation Urges Health Care Improvements During Emergency

Lashaunda Waswa, at just 22 years old, is the youngest band councillor of Neskantaga First Nation and is pushing for a brighter future for the younger generation.

This remote Ojibway community in northwestern Ontario has been under a boil-water advisory for 31 years, which is the longest active advisory in Canada. Residents also report that accessing health care remains a persistent issue both within their community and in urban areas like Thunder Bay, where they often travel to receive care unavailable at home.

The only nursing station in Neskantaga was flooded last year, leading to a two-month evacuation for the community’s most vulnerable individuals and resulting in a state of emergency.

Although Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) states that the facility reopened in November, Waswa and other leaders from the First Nation are emphasizing that the aging building and outdated medical equipment are unacceptable.

“We are worried that we’re going to lose community members over this,” Waswa said.

Neskantaga First Nation’s nursing station was built in 1994. It is the only health-care centre in the remote Ojibway community. (Marc Doucette/CBC)

Waswa pointed out that contract nurses from outside the First Nation work at the nursing station but haven’t established trust with local residents.

Neskantaga’s leaders recounted several incidents to where members were sent home from the facility only to later require medical evacuations.

The federal Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program covers costs for medical transportation, accommodations, and meals for those needing to travel for appointments.

However, leaders from Neskantaga argue that last-minute travel arrangements made through this program lead to missed appointments for community members.

Neskantaga First Nation Chief Gary Quisses emphasizes that his members need better health care support both locally and in cities like Thunder Bay. (Sarah Law/CBC)

“It’s last-minute notice, maybe five minutes before the plane lands: ‘Your travel’s here,’” Chief Gary Quisses said. “It’s really impacting the system.”

The First Nation is calling for a new medical center to take over from its nursing station. They also urge the federal government to reform the NIHB system so it minimizes travel delays and improves patient coordination.

“We need the governments to step up,” Quisses said. “That’s their obligation to fix that … it’s not the First Nation’s fault why we lose appointments, why we miss flights.”

ISC claims it’s working with local leaders

Jennifer Cooper, an ISC spokesperson, sent an email statement to addressing Neskantaga’s concerns.

“Health services including dental and X-ray are currently available to community members through regular nursing station operations under health professionals’ clinical direction,” Cooper stated.

Coun. Lashaunda Waswa wears a beaded medallion featuring Neskantaga First Nation’s flag design. (Sarah Law/CBC)

Since declaring a state of emergency, ISC has been “supporting delivery of medical supplies to the nursing station while coordinating staffing needs and access to primary care services within our community as well as referrals for necessary services outside when needed.”

Regarding NIHB issues, Cooper mentioned that her department collaborates with local leaders to understand concerns related to “accessibility of supplies, medevac services, patient support issues,” aiming at identifying practical solutions together.”

“ISC continues working with partners on reported gaps while improving coordination so patients can have better support before, during, and after their travels.”

Community demands proper health care

Neskantaga residents feel they’ve waited far too long for improvements in health care.

<p“It's our treaty right always having access; our healthcare needs along with education should be taken seriously no matter what costs,” said Coleen Moonias who serves as band councillor. “This falls under fiduciary obligations.”

Coun. Coleen Moonias of Neskantaga First Nation expresses frustration over advocating without seeing progress on healthcare resources. (Sarah Law/CBC)

<p Stanley Moonias works as Neskantaga’s case manager dealing with health and social services.
He suffers from a heart condition which resulted in his appointment being postponed by two-and-a-half months because his medical travel wasn’t organized promptly.
Recently his great-granddaughter had repeated trips back home after visiting their nursing station; her situation deteriorated leading them advocating she should be transported by air into Thunder Bay.
“We waited 18 hours just waiting on medevac,” Moonias expressed discontentedly.”That isn’t acceptable.”Councillor Bradley Moonias believes all people deserve equal quality healthcare throughout Canada regardless of location.(Sarah Law/CBC)

Councillor Bradley Moonias recalls needing an extensive drive lasting 17 hours covering winter road conditions connecting directly towards Thunder Bay when his three children fell ill some time ago.
“They all caught infections; each one did,” he explained.
He added complications arose wherein his youngest son required hospitalization yet they couldn’t manage staying financially viable during those extra days around town.
Waswa noted similar troubling occurrences regarding her goddaughter being repeatedly dismissed from receiving adequate treatment until finally diagnosed with pneumonia while visiting facilities located within Thunder Bay.
“It affects many kids here.”

Kiiwetinoong MPP advocates change

This past Friday Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa reached out through letters directed toward federal Indigenous Services minister Mandy Gull-Masty alongside Health Minister Marjorie Michel concerning issues tied into NIHB programs.
“People continue suffering every day due lack of appropriate measures implemented; numerous individuals fail reaching important appointments due existing systemic failures which simply isn’t tolerable,” Mamakwa communicated clearly during interviews captured by close proximity these events transpiring nearby regions.

Mamakwa elaborated stressing some folks endure lengthy waits spanning multiple years attempting securing crucial medical consultations ultimately left scrambling arranging transport independently without proper assistance available causing massive disruptions affecting pharmacies/providers servicing those urgent situations filled inadequately responding late requests/cancellations overall detrimental impacts felt widely among stakeholders involved here today..Mamakwa concluded stating expecting prompt responses coming soon enough meanwhile meanwhile locals still clear accumulated snow away accessing surfaces linked providing preventative safeguards reducing potential flooding risks occurring again shortly ahead..“Once witnessing renovations turned completely anew perhaps evolving onto mini-hospitals.. That’ll indicate understanding establishing pathways toward cooperation between governments/governing bodies actively engaging further positively transforming outcomes overall enhancing standards upheld greatly appreciated within communities served!” “Please know changes will happen soon thereafter!”Source link