A business entity predominantly owned by Kashechewan First Nation has established a mobile clinic in Kapuskasing, Ontario, to deliver medical services to evacuees in the area. The evacuations from Kashechewan, situated near James Bay, commenced early in January following a state of emergency declaration by Chief Hosea Wesley due to a water treatment plant breakdown that led to a lack of clean water in the community.
Over 1,900 out of Kaschewan’s 2,300 residents have been relocated to various Ontario cities including Kapuskasing, Timmins, Kingston, and Niagara Falls. Christopher Thind, the director of health for Kashechewan, mentioned that the community initiated Creemergency last year to enhance its control over managing routine evacuations, particularly with the recurring threat of spring floods. Traditionally, the federal government through Indigenous Services Canada and the provincial Ministry of Emergency Preparedness and Response selected vendors to oversee evacuations from remote First Nations communities.
Creemergency has teamed up with the O’Briens Corporate Group in Kapuskasing to handle medical services for the evacuees in the city, aiming to alleviate pressure on local healthcare resources, including the Sensenbrenner Hospital. Thind emphasized the importance of providing a service that complements the existing healthcare facilities in the region, acknowledging the fragility of health systems in northern areas.
To date, 81 evacuees in Kapuskasing have utilized the mobile clinics for medical assistance, a move that Thind described as a commendable utilization of resources in keeping individuals out of the hospital system. The clinic, operated by volunteers such as registered nurses and nurse practitioners from the Canadian Medical Assistance Teams, received a $50,000 donation from mining company Agnico Eagle to support its operations.
Andre Leite, vice-president for Agnico Eagle’s Ontario operations, highlighted the company’s commitment to supporting First Nations communities during crises, emphasizing the vital role of timely access to essential health services for displaced families. While there are no immediate plans for similar clinics in other hosting cities due to their larger healthcare capacities, the possibility exists for relocating the clinic to Cochrane temporarily if evacuees move to that area.
The initiative underscores the solidarity of various stakeholders in providing aid and resources to communities facing urgent and challenging circumstances, reflecting a shared commitment to supporting those in need during times of crisis.