Kanonhkwatsheri:io (Ga noon gwats he lee yo) Social Development and Health Facility St. Regis, Quebec: Akwesasne Mohawk Territory 613-575-2341 Introduction: The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne is pleased to present the new health and social service facility we have named "Kanonhkwa' tsheri:io" (Ga noon gwats seh lee yo). Kanonhkwatsheri:io is a Mohawk word which stands for "Good Medicine" or a place of "Good Medicine". As the Social and Health Care Programs under Kanonhkwa'tsheri:io represent both the promotion of healthy lifestyles, prevention of disease and care and treatment of physical, emotional, mental, and social concerns; Kanonhkwa'tsheri:io represents a facility that can service the total health and social care needs of the community. The mission statement of Kanonhkwa'tsheri:io is "Te ia khi ia te rien:tha re" (deya khey ya de leyen thale). This is a Mohawk word which means we take care of every aspect of a person as a whole. The person is very important to us and is on our minds. This represents the holistic approach we stive to achieve. The logo of Kanonhkwa'tsheri:io was designed by Stephanie Thompson of the Kahwenoke District. The logo represents the medicine wheel respecting the cycle of life and the four directions, the partridge feathers represent Akwesasne, the family shows the strength of the family unit and illustrates the generations. The family stands upon the turtle representing mother earth, the nation flag and the tree of peace are illustrated on the turtle. About the Facility The facility represents one of many capital developments that have taken place in our community over the past several years under the special Memorandum of Agreement that was Signed in November, 1990. This Agreement was between Akwesasne the Federal Government and I the Provincial Governments of Ontario and Quebec which provides for $25 million in ..pital dollars to Akwesasne over a five (5) year period. The Kanonhkwa'tsheri:io Facility is constructed fully under this Agreement. The Facility is constructed for a total cost of $5.7 million. The architectural firm of WGA Architects of Toronto, Ontario designed the facility and the construction was under a Project Management contract with Surentec, Inc. of Montreal. Historical Development The Facility had been under development since 1987 when the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne first entered into discussions with Health and Welfare Canada to construct a facility to provide for the direct health care and social services needs of our community. In late 1986, the MCA Social Development and Health Department was created with the goal of consolidating all the health and social programs under one umbrella structure. With this, a holistic approach to programming evolved with the philosophy of caring for the entire needs of the individual and family. By adopting the holistic approach, our services are designed to address the physical, mental, social, psychological, cultural and traditional needs of the individual and family. To best implement this approach, it was essential to house all our health and social programs within one facility where interdepartmental team work, planning, training, case management and better utilization of financial and human resources could be facilitated and enhanced and the best possible services offered to the Akwesasne community. Our Design The Facility is 37,000 square feet in size. The three story facility is designed to be totally handicap accessible to all programs and service. It features the first elevator in Akwesasne, automatic door entrance, 110 paved parking spaces, spacious glass atrium shaped in the form of an eight sided teepee. The glass atrium transcends from 66 feet above the rooftop down to the lower ground level allowing the natural light and splendor to enter the facility. The central atrium area is further elaborated by semi- circular stairway connecting all three levels The decor is designed in a pleasant, comfortable colour scheme reflecting a residential environment. The program and Services The Facility is a multi-purpose facility which houses many of the Social and Health Care programs under Kanonhkwatsherl:io. Those programs include: -Social Development and Health Administration -Akwesasne Child and Family Services -Akwesasne Community Couselling -Akwesasne Medical Clinic -Community Health Nursing -Social Community Services -Home Support/Home Making -Home Care Nursing -Akwesasne Child Care -Mohawk Council Ambulance Unit -Akwesasne Addictions and Counselling program -Kanatakon Child Care Centre -Akwesasne Detal Clinic -Non-Insured Health Benefits -Traditional Medicine and Alternative Healing -Prevention and Promotion Program -SDHD Operations -Nutrition Program Related Services Located in Kanonkwatsheri:io -Optometry -Ononkwasona Pharmacy -Snack Bar Other Programs under Kanonkwatsheri:io include: Iakhisohtha-Home for the aged, Akwesasne Adult Care Facility (30 bed nursing home), Iethinistenha Family Violence Program, Ionkwanonhsasetsi Adolescent Group Home, Kawenoke and TsiSnaihne Child Care Centers, Community Health Representatives, Environmental Health, and the Kawenoke Medical Clinic. The facility also features a large meeting room with full kitchen to provide for community and staff trainings and workshops, a large classroom and boardroom to facilitate program needs. For further Information: If you would like further information on Kanonkwatsheri:io, please contact us at 613-575-2341 and our switchboard receptionist will be happy to answer your questions, or direct your call.