Chief Tanya Aguilar-Antiman (front, with scarf), and the MGBHLM First Nation team outside The Ridge Wellness Centre that's currently in development. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

COVID-19 support

MGBHLM First Nation to open new facility called The Ridge Wellness Centre

May 8, 2021 | 12:00 PM

Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head, Lean Man First Nation (MGBHLM) is partnering on a project to offer a safe, culturally supportive place for people to stay when they need to self-isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19 requirements.

The new facility, called The Ridge Wellness Centre, is expected to open later this month.

The centre will be available to individuals or families from anywhere in the North West region of Saskatchewan.

Operations Manager Delanie Passer said he is glad to have the initiative move ahead.

“I’m just happy to be working on this project, and excited to see the outcome,” he said.

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The facility will be located south of Battleford, on property purchased by the First Nation last year, at the former Oblates residence site.

Indigenous Services Canada already provided $1.5 million for renovations so far for the building, now owned by MGBHLM, to develop the wellness centre. First Nations Inuit Health is also a funding partner. MGBHLM is offering the cultural component and use of the facility.

Chief Tanya Aguilar-Antiman thanks Dr. Ibrahim Khan, a regional medical health officer with Indigenous Services Canada, for supporting the project.

“It was Dr. Khan I believe that was inspirational in really rolling this out, and connecting us to the key players to see this a reality…,” she said. “Other key players that have been really inspirational are BATC Chiefs [Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs Inc.] that supported this undertaking. From a standpoint of leadership, we’re really pleased that we are able to provide this initiative.”

One of the bedroom suites at The Ridge Wellness Centre. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

Aguilar-Antiman said the idea for the facility came about in November 2020 when MGBHLM had a COVID-19 outbreak with 10 positive cases. At the same time, there was a large power outage in the area that also impacted the First Nation. As a result, members and leadership came together to start looking for a strategy for the future to help keep the vulnerable safe.

“Recognizing we had this beautiful building we recently purchased, [we thought] let’s do something about it. Within months, with the teamwork and the work that’s been done thus far, here we are today,” she said.

The Ridge Wellness Centre is not a health centre. Rather, it only serves to provide accommodation and support to those self-isolating, likely 10 to 14 days. If individuals are ill and require medical care they should go to a hospital instead.

The facility will have a number of suites for both individuals and families to stay, as well as provide meals and laundry facilities.

Project Manager Jenni Wuttunee said the centre will have 24-hour security, care aides as well as Elder support for ceremonies. People must follow COVID-19 protocols and adhere to the facility’s policy. However, they will also be able to leave the building at times, to walk outside on the grounds during their visit.

Wuttunee said if people are not able to self isolate at home for any reason, the wellness centre offers them another option.

“We wanted to be able to provide a safe place for them to come and be comfortable, and stay here…,” she said. “We are very flexible here. Obviously, we will absolutely do everything we can to make it work for whoever needs to utilize our services.”

Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow