Skip to main content

Elders return to the Chisasibi MSDC

Summary

After living in the Emergency Response Units for eight months, eleven Elders return to Chisasibi’s Multi-Service Day Centre 

Content

Moving Day finally came on Wednesday June 2 for eleven Elders who had been living for eight months in Emergency Response Units set up in Chisasibi’s Banquet Hall – ever since a fire had displaced them from lodgings in the local MSDC. 

The event had an almost festive atmosphere, as everybody was looking forward to the move back to the MSDC, now repaired. 

Virginie Lubino

“We had planned to move the Elders in four groups, two in the morning and two in the afternoon, but everybody was so motivated and ready that they all moved this morning,” says Virginie Lubino, coordinator of Elders Home in Chisasibi. “One Elder was singing and it was the birthday of another, whose family visited and enjoyed being outside in the sun with him.” 

The Elders have experienced several moves in the past 15 months. When March 2020 began, they were long-term care patients in the Chisasibi Regional Hospital, but the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the hospital to move these most vulnerable individuals to the MSDC to protect them in a bubble in case the hospital began receiving COVID patients. So the MSDC became a temporary Elders Home, and continued to serve this purpose until a fire in its kitchenette on September 23rd displaced the Elders again. They moved back into the hospital, but COVID-19 remained a threat.

Fortunately, the Cree Health Board had already initiated a partnership with the Canadian Red Cross involving a number of Emergency Response Units (ERUs) which could be set up quickly to house displaced people. So in October, less than a month after the fire, the Elders moved into three ERUs – large white dome tents that could be equipped with electricity.

 

Saying goodbye to the temporary homes

  • Image
    James Bobbish greets an Elder in a wheelchair
    Caption
    James Bobbish greets Elders
  • Image
    Daisy House stands outside ERU tent
    Caption
    Chisasibi Chief Daisy House stands outside ERU tent
  • Image
    Inside ERU tent
    Caption
    Tents were set up in a communal fashion so Elders could visit with one another
  • Image
    Inside ERU tent
    Caption
    Inside ERU tent - temporary home for an Elder
  • Image
    Charlotte Kanatewat Moar looks at family photographs posted on Youth Centre wall
    Caption
    Charlotte Kanatewat Moar looks at family photographs posted on Youth Centre wall
Reggie Tomatuk

“We had planned to purchase these structures to be set up in case of an emergency in Eeyou Istchee; they can be deployed anywhere we need them. Using them for the Elders gave us a good introduction to how to deploy them,” says the Cree Health Board’s Reggie Tomatuk. “We placed them in Chisasibi’s banquet hall because that was the only location a large enough, suitable, comfortable place for them.” The Hall served its function, providing adequate spaces for dining and recreation in addition to the three ERUs, which served as bedrooms for the Elders.  

But despite their usefulness in a time of need, no-one seemed sad to leave the ERUs behind – and as soon as the MSDC was declared fit to receive the Elders, plans were made to move back.

The move started on Monday, with kitchen equipment, and culminated in moving the Elders and personal effects on Wednesday. “Moving day was very sunny, and inside the MSDC was very bright, so the Elders were very happy watching us moving their things in and organizing the space,” says Lubino. “They witnessed the whole move, which was really nice.” Lubino was especially moved by the enthusiasm of staff members from different departments to help out. “People were very engaged, willing to work extra hours, coming early to pack all week to be ready for today,” she said as the move neared completion. “I am very proud to be surrounded by people who were so engaged in this move. We were all impatient for the Elders to be back at the MSDC.” 

As for the ERUs: they are now being taken down disinfected, packed up, and stored in Chisasibi, waiting for the next time they will be needed. 

 

Preparing to welcome Elders at the MSDC

  • Image
    Staff look at new facilities
  • Image
    Workers transfer materials from truck to MSDC
  • Image
    Workers transfer materials to MSDC
  • Image
    Interior of MSDC showing bay window
  • Image
    Interior of MSDC
  • Image
    Sign on exterior wall of MSDC - 26 Salt
  • Image
    Exterior of MSDC building

Our Partners

Image
Grand Council of the Crees logo
Image
Santé et des Services sociaux logo
Image
Health Canada logo