NORTHERN QUÉBEC’S FIRST MOBILE HOSPITAL AT THE EEYOU ISTCHEE SUMMER GAMES
The Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay (CBHSSJB) is pleased to have associated with the Eeyou Istchee Summer Games, a week of competition, culture and community, as a partner and sponsor of the event.
For the occasion, our Mobile Hospital was deployed to provide health care to the athletes, including but not limited to current services, medical attention for minor injuries, physiotherapy and athletic therapy.
This iteration included a consultation and emergency module, an administration and triage module, a physiotherapy module, a misting tent and a rest area.
The Mobile Hospital also collaborated with a traditional counselor, social worker and outreach team to provide holistic care to athletes including substance abuse prevention, safe travels and mental health support.
The week was kicked off with an opening ceremony during which Bertie Wapachee, CBHSSJB Chairperson, presented the Mobile Hospital project and its team. He also welcomed the public to visit the installation every day after the competitions.
To conclude his speech, he gave athletes an opportunity to cheer as loudly as they wanted to be encouraged during the sporting events which caused an uproar of palpable excitement in the room.
Later in the evening, he was later gifted one of two official Eeyou Istchee Summer Games medallions to recognize the CBHSSJB’s contribution to the event.
The Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay (CBHSSJB) is the first health and social services organization to deploy a Mobile Hospital in Northern Québec to provide immediate emergency assistance to the Cree Nation of Eeyou Istchee.
" The Cree Nation is counting on us to provide health and psychosocial services that are accessible to all, whatever the circumstances. The Mobile Hospital is an innovative project that meets the specific needs of our northern region, regardless of distance, season, climate or terrain. "
– Bertie Wapachee, Chairperson, CBHSSJB
" We've made a lot of progress on this project, which we started in 2018. We successfully deployed the Mobile Hospital twice during COVID-19. We are very pleased to be able to contribute to an event such as the Eeyou Istchee Summer Games, which is not associated with an emergency measure. This demonstrates our ability to adapt to the needs of the communities. "
– Daniel St-Amour, Executive Director, CBHSSJB
This project is the result of a partnership that began in 2018 and based on the sharing of Cree culture by the CBHSSJB and technical knowledge from the Canadian Red Cross, in addition to collaboration with the Cree Nation of Chisasibi and the Cree Nation Government.
Representatives from the Canadian Red Cross were present at the Eeyou Istchee Summer Games, including Josiane Castonguay, Interim Vice-President Québec, Director Emergency Management - Preparedness and Operation, and Tim Stringer, Consultant - Expert - Intervention and Relations with Indigenous Communities, Québec.
" We are thrilled to be part of this event and to witness the Mobile Hospital’s services coming to life. This partnership is an incredible opportunity for the Canadian Red Cross in Québec and the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay to share our respective knowledge and expertise in support of reinforcing Cree capacity in Northern communities. "
– Josiane Castonguay, Interim Vice-President Québec, Director Emergency Management - Preparedness and Operation, Canadian Red Cross
This innovative project is part of CBHSSJB's vision to provide health and social services so that individuals, families and communities achieve Miyupimaatisiiun reflective of Nishiiyuu.
The Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay (CBHSSJB) is proud to become the first health and social service organization to deploy a