A Wawa health clinic offering services for local Indigenous people celebrated its grand opening Thursday.
Maamwesying North Shore Community Health Services - in partnership with Michipicoten First Nation - has opened its North Clinic at 3 Maple Street in Wawa, offering services for free for "on-reserve citizens and the urban Indigenous population residing in Wawa and the surrounding area".
Michipicoten First Nation Chief Pat Tangie calls the clinic "a wonderful opportunity" for not just the Indigenous community, but "all of us", adding that it is fulfilling prophecies.
While Maamwesying is a network of primary health care services along the north shore of Lake Huron, Executive Director Gloria Daybutch says the services offered locally are based on need and what can be covered in the budget, including primary care with a nurse practitioner and more.
Daybutch notes there may be the option for service expansion as needs are determined - and the budget allows - with Maamwesying providing what support it can, including connections within the health system.
Walk-in clinics are Thursday and Friday mornings, though the office is open Monday to Friday - the local team also travels to the Brunswick House and Chapleau Cree First Nations, and serves Chapleau Ojibwe members and those in Chapleau itself.