Hostel named after late Kasabonika Elder

It was an emotional moment as Mary McKay pulled the veil off the new sign outside the new hostel in Sioux Lookout.
McKay stared at the sign for a few seconds. It read: Jeremiah McKay Kabayshewekamik.
Jeremiah was her father and an Elder in the Nishnawbe Aski Nation region from Kasabonika Lake First Nation. He was also a crusader for quality health care for the people in the remote north. He died Sept. 17, 2008 at the age of 77.
As Mary stared at the sign, she was overcome with emotion. Her brothers and sisters were also in attendance at the ribbon cutting and site dedication of the new hostel Sept. 9.
“I’m sure my dad would have been proud to see this building,” Saloma Anderson, one of Jeremiah’s daughters, said.
The building is an impressive $14-million project that is 95 per cent completed and is located next to the new Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre. Set to open in October or November, the new hostel features 100 beds, food services, a family lounge and games area and a children’s play area. The current hostel only has 39 beds for patients travelling from First Nations in the north.
The new facility will also allow clients to store and prepare traditional foods brought from home.
The idea is to create an environment that is friendly and comforting – a home away from home – for patients who are leaving behind the comforts of family and community to get quality health care.
John Cutfeet, board chairman of the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority, the organization that oversees management of the hostel, said it will help to improve the quality of service for clients.
“The new hostel will alleviate the stressors of being transported to different appointments, accommodations and meal sites while allowing community members the opportunity to begin their recovery earlier in a comfortable environment,” Cutfeet said.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy was also on hand for the ceremony. He was impressed with the beauty of the facility.
“I think it’s going to assist in their healing,” Beardy said of patients who would stay at the facility.