Centre a symbol of co-operation

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Like most projects, it started with an idea.

It made economic sense for the five member bands of the File Hills Agency to combine their resources to offer integrated health and social care to their residents.

That's what made the recent opening of the File Hills Health and Social Development Centre on the Okanese First Nation so special. It is not only a new health care facility and offices for social agencies, it is also a symbol of the co-operative spirit of the Okanese, Star Blanket, Little Black Bear, Peepeekisis and Carry the Kettle First Nations.

The new $1.4 million facility, built on Okanese First Nation, came after 15 months of negotiation with Health Canada's medical services branch for funding the centre's operation.

It's the first time different First Nations have come together on such a large-scale project, which will benefit all band members.

"The opening of our health centre represents another aspect of providing services that are controlled by our community," said File Hills Agency Executive Director, Art Walker.

The facility's design was inspected and approved by Elders from the reserves, said Cindy Sparvier, the health director for the Files Hills Agency.

By combining health care and social development in one complex, staff at the centre seek not only to treat the body but also the spirit. The facility is built as three wings which come together in a common hub. A small fountain, where water flows over rocks and birch branches, illustrate the first peoples' traditional relationship with nature.

One section of the building contains a doctor's and dentist's office, a whirlpool bath, a nursing station, and a private room for mental health and drug addiction counselling services. The section also has an office and some equipment for public health facilities such as a water quality monitoring and offices for homecare and community health nurses.

The second section contains offices and counselling rooms for family and social services. The highlight of that section is an Elders' room, a private, circular part of the building where Elders can go for religious services such as smudging.

The third section is the administrative wing. There is also a small board room for meetings and seminars.

The centre shows the large transfer of responsibility from the federal government for providing health services and from the provincial government for family services.