Municipality of Sioux Lookout

MEDICAL AND DENTAL

Health Care

Historically, there were two hospitals located in Sioux Lookout. Provincially, the Sioux Lookout District Health Centre was available for Sioux Lookout residents and the Federally funded Zone Hospital for use by First Nation patients travelling in from the 29 First Nation communities north of Sioux Lookout. The two hospitals were amalgamated into the Meno-Ya-Win Health Centre and now provides a wide array of services to all residents and First Nations in the area. The hospital is staffed by highly qualified professionals.

Services available at the Meno Ya Win Health Centre include: surgery, obstetrical, and x-ray facilities with a wide array of physicians, nursing, paramedic/ambulance attendants, fully qualified professional technologists and specialists working in the specialized areas of laboratory, clinical nutrition and diagnostic imaging.

Additional services provided are ground and air ambulance services, counselling services, physiotherapy, clinical laboratory, clinic nutritional counselling, cancer chemotherapy, long-term care, obstetrics, diagnostic radiology, emergency services, meals-on-wheels and chronic care services. Visiting specialist programs include paediatrics, orthopaedic surgery, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, and otolaryngology.

The Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre has approximately 20 doctors and 50 nurses on staff. The doctors rotate through McMaster University. The hospital serves as a medical hub for health care delivery to 29 First Nations communities north of Sioux Lookout. The Health Centre also oversees 28 remote nursing stations the Far North, in which between two to nine nurses work and reside.

Hospital Care in the Future

Construction of a new, 60 bed, modern facility is underway, with anticipated completion in 2010. The Meno-Ya-Win Health Centre will be a modern, $130 million full-service medical facility that will represent the future of health care for the Municipality of Sioux Lookout and the 29 northern First Nation communities.

The new health centre will allow patients the opportunity to obtain a wide range of health services, including intensive care, advanced heart treatment, acute care, continuing care, patient support services and other related services. Emergency services will improve by providing immediate care in one modern and fully accessible facility. The new hospital will bring together the existing programs of both hospitals, maintain and manage all acute, chronic and residential long-term care services including the 20-bed William A. "Bill" George Extended Care Facility. The new facility will include building a new hostel and the operation of a minimum five-bed detoxification centre. Having a new hospital will also help to recruit and retain health care professionals including physicians, visiting specialists, nurses and physiotherapists.

The Sioux Lookout Meno-Ya-Win Health Centre will have a catchment area that will include Sioux Lookout, Hudson, Pickle Lake, Savant Lake and the unorganized territories surrounding these communities and the First Nations communities in the region, encompassing a population of over 25,000 people.

In 1997, a four-party agreement was signed between the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, the Municipality of Sioux Lookout and Nishnawbe-Aski Nation to merge the resources and responsibilities of the two existing hospitals in order to best protect and enhance health care for the district. The new Sioux Lookout Meno-Ya-Win Health Centre will provide better medical service to everyone in the Sioux Lookout District.

The William A. "Bill" George Extended Care Facility (part of the Meno Ya Win Health Centre) was constructed and operational in February 1991. The facility has 20 beds in total with 12 single rooms and 4 double rooms. This facility provides long term care for patients requiring a minimum of 1 1/2 hours to a maximum of 4 1/2 hours of nursing care (including feeding time, if required) per day.

Hugh Allen Clinic

A modern Municipally owned medical clinic is staffed by excellent, caring doctors who work on a rotating basis to provide coverage at the clinic and 24-hour coverage at the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre. The clinic employs seven physicians serving approximately 120 patients per day. The following services are available through referral: Home Care, Public Health Nurse, Physiotherapy, Speech Pathology and General Surgery. In addition, many specialists, including oncology, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, ear, nose and throat and dermatology visit Sioux Lookout on a regular basis and are available for consultation or referral by one of the physicians.

Environmental Health Services

Environmental Health Officers are trained to prevent, identify and correct environmental problems that affect the health of community members. This important goal is achieved in a number of ways.

Monitoring and sampling of:

• Drinking water
• Recreational waters
• Sewage disposal systems
• Solid waste (garbage)

As well as:

• Reviewing community plans and providing technical support for their development.
• Providing information and consultation with community and government agencies.
• Providing health education and training for community members.

Other Health Related Services

There are three registered massage therapists and two dental clinics in the community offering a full range of services. Also servicing the community is one fulltime chiropractor and a visiting veterinarian.

Northwestern Health Unit

The Northwestern Health Unit provides general public health programs including:

• Immunization
• Sexual health services
• Child dental health
• Speech and language pathology, including "North Words"
• Reproductive health
• Child health including the "Healthy Babies, Healthy Children" program
• Child nutrition programs
• Heart Health
• Chronic disease prevention including nutrition, physical activity and tobacco-use prevention
• TB control
• Control of infectious disease
• Sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS
• Health hazard investigation
• Food safety
• Infection control in institutions
• Rabies control
• Safe water
• Part 8 sewage disposal
• Emergency response
• Injury prevention
• Substance abuse prevention including "FOCUS" - a substance abuse prevention project
• Health planning

FAMILY and SOCIAL SERVICES

To complement the health services, there are also many social services available in Sioux Lookout. They include:

Home Care Program

Through this program, nursing care is provided to patients in their own homes. Nurses assist with personal care, change dressings, give injections, monitor vital signs and teach treatment protocol. An occupational therapist is also available every 6 weeks.

Home Support for the Elderly

The Sioux Lookout Home Support Program enables elderly, disabled, chronically ill and convalescent persons to maintain a self-determined, independent lifestyle within the stability and comfort of their own home for as long as they can do so. The program offers the following services: adult day program; caregiver support counselling; caregiver support; training, information and education; congregate dining; friendly visiting; meals-on-wheels and supportive housing. The program is 100% funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and operated by the Municipality of Sioux Lookout. The Home Support Office can be reached by calling 807-737-3142.

First Step Women's Shelter

The Centre provides a safe and secure emergency shelter for abused women and their children. Services include room and board, referrals, information, and counselling. A support group and counselling are also available for those who do not reside at the Centre. Phone 737-1438, or 1-800-465-3623, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Aboriginal Family Support Program

The Aboriginal Family Support Program is a community service offered by the Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre. The Family Support Program offers a full range of programs including support to families, single parents, children up to six years of age; prenatal and postnatal care; youth preparing for parenthood; nutrition counselling; life skills; problem solving; traditional teachings; hygiene; parenting skills; and access to resources. The Support Program services are open to everyone - men and women, Native and Non-Native. For more information, please call 807-737-7521.

Norah Love Children's Centre and Biidaaban Children's Centre

The Norah Love Children's Centre and Biidaaban Children's Centre are non-profit integrated day care centres that are owned and operated by the Municipality of Sioux Lookout. They are licensed by the Ministry of Community, Family and Children's Services and an advisory board regulates the policies and procedures of the centres.

The license capacity of Norah Love is 42 children ranging in age from 18 months to five years. The license capacity of Biidaaban, which is located at Sacred Heart School, is 37 children during the day and 44 children at lunchtime. The ages range from three years to nine years. Also provided is an after school care program and, during the summer months, children six to nine years of age, as well as children with special needs, may be accommodated providing space is available.

The staff are trained professionals with Early Childhood Education diplomas and include a support staff of experienced supply teachers, a secretary, housekeeper and caretaker.

Each centre has a full-time cook who provides a hot lunch and nutritious snacks to the children in all programs, in accordance to the Canada Food Guide. The Municipality's day care centres are dedicated to supporting families by providing high quality care. They provide a wide range of programs that involve working together with families, the community and the schools.

The centres are open from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm daily and are closed weekends and holidays. For more information contact, 807-737-2131 (Norah Love) or 807-737-4570 (Biidaaban).

Patricia Centre for Children and Youth

The Patricia Centre is a children's mental health centre, licensed and funded by the Ministry of Community, Family and Social Services. The Centre is a private, non-profit agency which assists families with children who are experiencing emotional, behavioural, developmental or interpersonal difficulties. It provides support services to families and appropriate professional assessments with personnel available in the fields of social work, psychology, psychiatry and speech therapy.

The Patricia Centre offers several services: Infant Development Program; Child and Family Intervention; Integrated Services for Northern Children; Special Services at Home Program; Young Offender Service; Community Support; and Professional Consultation. For more information, call 807-737-2086.

Kenora-Patricia Child and Family Services

Kenora-Patricia Child and Family Services provides quality child welfare services which ensure the right of every child to protection and permanence within a supportive environment. Kenora-Patricia Child and Family Services is a Children's Aid Society mandated under the Child and Family Services Act of Ontario. For more information, call 807-737-3250.

Tikinagan Child and Family Services

Tikinagan Child and Family Services is a non-profit, Native child and family services organization serving 29 First Nations in the western portion of the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation as well as the communities of Savant Lake, Pickle Lake and Allanwater. For more information, call 807-737-3466.

Kenora District Services Board

In 1997, approval was given to create a new district-wide organization (the Kenora District Services Board or KDSB) for the delivery of services in the Kenora District. The KDSB is accountable to the Municipalities and the residents of unincorporated areas in the Kenora District. The Board consists of elected representatives from the Municipalities and appointed representatives from the unincorporated areas. The Board also has, on staff, a full-time Chief Administrative Officer. The Board manages the delivery of, and is responsible for administering, cost sharing of Ontario Works, childcare, land ambulance and social housing.

Ontario Works

Ontario Works is the name of the welfare system in Ontario. The main four components of Ontario Works are Income Support; Employment Support; Community Placement and Employment Placement. The program assists participants in learning new skills, gaining self-confidence and establishing job contacts to enable them to find work. The Ontario Works office is located in the Sioux Lookout Municipal Office building. For more information, call 807-737-2700.

FAS/FAE Family Support Program

FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) and FAE (Fetal Alcohol Effects) Family Support Program's mission is to develop comprehensive integrated programs to promote the health and social development of at-risk Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and/or Fetal Alcohol Effected children and their families in a safe and healthy environment. Their objective is to provide, integrate and mobilize a wide range of support services that enable FAS/FAE children and their parents to fulfill their life-skills from direct frontline services. Services such as advocacy, FAS/FAE education, childcare and support are provided for the children and the parents to aid in improving life-skills for those who have or live with FAS/FAE.

Sioux Lookout/Hudson Association for Community Living (ACL) provides supportive, independent living programs for adults who are physically or developmentally disabled.

Opportunities Plus (Part of ACL) provides day programs for disabled adults and allows them the opportunity to experience a more productive and meaningful life in our community.

EDUCATION

Residents are assured of high quality primary and secondary school education in Sioux Lookout. The many schools and educational facilities here are well staffed with competent and qualified teachers.

Under the direction of the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board are the following facilities:

Under the direction of the Northwest Catholic District School Board:

Sacred Heart School is located on the west side Sioux Lookout. The school was built in 1994 and houses approximately 315 students and 25 staff. The facility serves students from Junior Kindergarten to grade eight. A municipally run day care, Biidaaban, is housed at one end of the facility, making the transfer of our half-day everyday kindergarten students both safe and convenient.

Bus transportation is provided for students. To qualify for bus transportation the parents or care giver must reside more than the following distance from the designated school: JK-3, 1.0 km; 4-6, 2.0km; 7-OAC, 3.2km. Bussing arrangements for both the Public and Catholic Schools can be arranged through the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board.

There are several other educational facilities as listed below:

Christian Day School - Sioux Lookout Christian School, located on Sturgeon River Road, accommodates Grades 1 through 12 using the Accelerated Christian Education curriculum.

Confederation College - a satellite site of the main Thunder Bay campus offers programs and courses both in-class, correspondence and internet-based.

Brock University - The University offers a Bachelor of Education Program for First Nation students. The program creates research training and support for Aboriginal students and opportunities for Aboriginal and non-aboriginal scholars as well as a speaker series, colloquia, conferences, the sharing of resources, knowledge, collaborative research proposals and to generally foster intra-institutional communications relevant to Aboriginal issues, values, knowledge, experience and the contributions of Aboriginal peoples globally.

Lakehead University - Four Year Nursing Program - A joint initiative between Confederation College and Lakehead University, the project provides a combination of classroom and community-based clinical education in Sioux Lookout. Education responsibilities are shared between the college and university, and students who complete the four-year project will receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) degree from Lakehead.

Contact North provides, through its state-of-the-art technology network, access to education and training at a distance through its 145 Access Centres in more than 100 communities in Northern Ontario, enabling northerners to become lifelong learners while continuing to contribute to and live in their communities.

The Wahsa Distance Education Centre was established in the fall of 1990 to provide Ontario accredited secondary school courses through distance education to the remote twenty-three Sioux Lookout District First Nations. Radio and correspondence are two different program delivery systems that are used by Wahsa to provide the students with a full selection of high school courses while living in their home community. Wahsa operates as a private school under the authority of the Northern Nishnawbe Education Council.

Pelican Falls First Nations High School, located twenty-eight kilometres from Sioux Lookout has a dedicated staff of 40 who provide education and counselling support for First Nation students attending grades 9 to 12 from the Far North. The staff also provide recreational and life skills programs. The state-of-the-art High School, located on the shores of Pelican Lake, and situated on a 172-acre site, is comprised of nine homes that house a minimum of ten students each. The school places a premium on enhancing student decision-making, responsibility and self-respect. Students can choose from a wide selection of academic courses including biology, mathematics, chemistry, English, art, physical education and life skills. With completion of the gymnasium in the summer of 1993, physical education courses are held on-site.