Media Release – Biindigen Well-Being Centre – Major Achievement

Press Release

September 26, 2023

It is with great excitement we announce that De dwa da dehs nye>s, in partnership with Niwasa Kendaaswin Teg and Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services, will be holding a ceremonial signing of an Agreement of Purchase and Sale with the City of Hamilton located at 785 Britannia Avenue in Hamilton, the future home of the Biindigen Well-Being Centre.

The Biindigen Well-Being Centre, a new Indigenous health and social services centre, will be built in Hamilton, transforming Indigenous health care throughout the region. De dwa da dehs nye>s, in partnership with McMaster University Department of Family Medicine, will be constructing a new building for their Hamilton site that will offer a basket of Primary and Allied Health Services. Niwasa Kendaaswin Teg’s development will provide increased opportunities to offer wholistic integrated education and social services from early years to seniors that are rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing and being. Ontario Housing Services will be creating 80-100 fair market rental housing units on the property. The Biindigen Well-Being Centre is possible by financial support from the federal, provincial, and municipal governments.

The City of Hamilton has played a key role in securing the lands for the Biindigen Well-Being Centre. In February 2017, City Council passed a unanimous motion to purchase the school for use by the Biindigen Well-Being Centre. In May 2019, the City took possession of the school and we are excited that we have reached a point where the lands will be transferred back to the urban Indigenous population in Hamilton for such a worthwhile purpose.

The Biindigen Well-Being Centre will be in the McQuesten Neighbourhood. This new centre will be located at 785 Britannia Avenue. The Indigenous population in the City of Hamilton is 3.3%; however, in the McQuesten Neighbourhood the Indigenous Population is 6%.

The Ceremonial Signing will take place during De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre’s 25th Anniversary Celebration, on September 28, 2023, from 4;00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the site of the new centre. Representatives from the De dwa da dehs nye>s, Niwasa Kendaaswin Teg, Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services, and the City of Hamilton will participate in the ceremonial signing.

Quote 1: “The City of Hamilton is very pleased to support the vision of the Biindigen Well-Being Centre partners to develop a comprehensive Indigenous-led Health and Community Services facility for the urban Indigenous community of Hamilton. Creating opportunities to support Indigenous health is part of the City’s commitment to Reconciliation.” – Mayor Andrea Horwath

Quote 2: “The Biindigen Well-Being Centre will provide a unique opportunity for the urban Indigenous population to deliver culturally safe health and community support services owned and operated by Indigenous organizations.” – Councillor Tammy Hwang

Quote 3: “Many of the Indigenous population do not trust mainstream healthcare providers as they don’t feel safe or welcome… the centre will be a place that acknowledges Indigenous culture and is welcoming to all.” – Pat Mandy, Chair of the Biindigen Steering Committee

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For more information, please contact:

Daniel Heckbert, Communications Consultant De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre
dheckbert@dahac.ca

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