London, Ontario March 19th, 2021 – In a recent announcement by the Minister Merrilee Fullerton, of Long-Term Care, Batchewana First Nations is the 3rd member Nation of the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians (AIAI) to receive a license for a Long Term Care Facility for 96 beds for their elders. AIAI would like to extend a proud congratulations to Chief Dean Sayers, the Batchewana First Nation Council and the Anishinabek of Batchewana for this endeavour that is extremely invaluable to the Indigenous Peoples of Bawating.
Grand Chief Joel Abram states “It’s heartbreaking when an elder must leave their community and family in order to receive proper care and treatment and it must be frightening to be in a completely unfamiliar atmosphere with people they don’t know. The acquirement of this license will be of immense comfort to everyone in Batchewana as people in nursing can come home to be with their friends, family and community.” Deputy Grand Chief Stacia Loft adds “This is very exciting because it not only means bringing a sense of familiarity and comfort to community members, but the community as a whole can collectively benefit from multi-generational cultural opportunities as well economic development, and job creation. I look forward to the project breaking ground and would like to extend congratulations to Batchewana.”
Chief Dean Sayers commented on the new Facility stating that “We are extremely happy to be able to provide our Elder’s with the level of compassion and care that they deserve. A lot of hard work has gone into ensuring that this facility will encompass a holistic approach that is sensitive to the needs of our Elders. Our people can breathe a little easier knowing that there is a safe, loving place within our homelands for family members as they progress in years and for that we are immensely grateful.”
Batchewana is the latest member Nation in AIAI to receive a license for Long-Term Care along with The Oneida Nation of the Thames and the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte.
