Ontario’s push to build tens of thousands of new long-term care spaces has taken root in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.
A special ceremony was held yesterday to celebrate the completion of a new facility with 128 beds in Tyendinaga yesterday, with several VIP’s on hand.
The space, which will welcome the first residents very soon, has many impressive features but the best part of it is how it was developed with local residents in mind.
It was developed by the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte with culturally appropriate services for local Mohawk Elders.
The facility includes rooms for spiritual care, a space for worship and landscaped amenities throughout the grounds that provide
residents with a connection to the land itself.
The minister responsible said it best when she said that the “intergenerational wisdom” of the Elders will also remain embedded in the Tyendinaga community because of the local, specialized care they will now receive.
So, while this facility will include many core and expanded services including dementia services and behavioural support, and create 170 well-paying jobs, it also respects and embraces local culture and the vital role elders play in Tyendinaga.
As the push continues to make up a serious gap in long-term care spaces, it’s good to see that we can still take the time to respect local communities and in this case the caretakers of the rich language, culture and wisdom of Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.
I’m Paul Martin and that’s what I see looking Beyond the Headlines.
