$1 Million Pledge Supports New Indigenous Health Clinic For Chippewas Of Nawash
Noongwa Wellness, a new Indigenous primary care clinic in Neyaashiinigmiing, has secured a $1-million pledge from Bruce Power and its partners.
Bruce Power and its supplier partners have pledged $1 million over three years to support the development of Noongwa Wellness, a new Indigenous primary care clinic serving the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation in Neyaashiinigmiing.
The funding will contribute to construction of a family medicine and wellness facility intended to expand access to in-community, in-home, and culturally relevant care. The project aims to establish an Indigenous-owned and operated integrative health building and learning network within the community.
Dr. Elisa Levi, a member of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation, will serve as the clinic’s inaugural physician.
“We know from the research that First Nations people have experienced a negative association with health-care facilities so we really want to re-imagine how our clients will experience care,” Levi said.
“As a member of this community, I have always appreciated how beautiful it is. To have a clinical experience where you’re in a room and you’re able to look out onto the landscape, rather than a very institutional setting, has shown to have benefit in decreasing anxiety, hypertension and cortisol levels.”
The Ontario Ministry of Health announced funding in October 2025 for the new primary health-care organization. Since then, Noongwa Wellness has partnered with the Grey-Bruce Ontario Health Team and enrolled more than 200 patients, according to the organization.
James Scongack, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice-President of Bruce Power, said the company and its partners view local health care as a priority.
“Bruce Power and our partners understand the importance of local health care and we’re proud to support many initiatives in our surrounding communities,” Scongack said. “Noongwa Wellness will provide excellent care in a setting that honours community values and culture, and we’re excited to watch this vision come to fruition.
“We’re pleased to start this important fundraising campaign off with a needed boost and would encourage other individuals and organizations to donate to this critical project.”
The $1-million pledge marks the launch of a broader capital fundraising campaign for the project. More information is available at noongwa.ca.
Noongwa Wellness describes the facility as focused on culturally grounded, trauma-informed primary health care, with an emphasis on patient experience and community design.
Bruce Power is based in Bruce County and operates a nuclear generating station on Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territory.
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What a good news story. Bruce Power has set a great example of community support for a much needed resource.