Community Foundation Grey Bruce Backs Indigenous-Led Family Medicine Centre With $25,000 Grant
The grant funds an interim clinic and site work so the Indigenous-led centre can begin offering care while it plans a permanent facility.
Community Foundation Grey Bruce has granted $25,000 to Noongwa Wellness, an Indigenous-led family medicine and wellness centre being established in Neyaashiinigmiing by Noongwa Gamig Incorporated.
The money will support an interim clinic and site improvements, allowing services to begin while plans for a permanent facility continue, the foundation said in a release. The interim clinic is housed in a small clinic structure recently expanded with a new vestibule. The project also includes a covered outdoor gathering space for culturally based wellness activities.
The grant draws on three of the foundation’s funds: the Next25 Fund, the Jessie Calder Family Fund and the Eva Leflar Donor Advised Fund.
Noongwa Wellness was created to provide accessible primary health care grounded in Anishinaabe values and land-based design, the release said. The centre is intended to offer holistic, trauma-informed care.
“For many Indigenous families, accessing primary health care has meant travelling off reserve,” said Dr. Elisa Levi, a family physician with Noongwa Wellness.
“This support from Community Foundation Grey Bruce helps us provide care now while building toward our long-term vision of Indigenous-owned healthcare that reflects community priorities and Anishinaabe ways of knowing and healing.”
Foundation executive director Stuart Reid said the grant supports access to essential services and represents an investment in Indigenous health and wellness.
The release said the project builds on an earlier contribution from Bruce Power and support from other partners. It did not specify the size of Bruce Power’s contribution or name the other partners.
The foundation did not say when the interim clinic will open or provide a timeline or budget for the permanent facility. People seeking more information or wishing to donate are directed to info@noongwa.ca.
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