New Health and Wellness Centre opens in Old Crow
Press Release
September 23, 2024
The Government of Yukon and the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation announce the opening of Old Crow’s new Health and Wellness Centre, named Natr’idizhii Srii Tr’agwandaii Hah Zheh, meaning “place for healing and wellness”. The new Health and Wellness Centre is based on a collaborative care model and provides a range of health care and social services for the residents of Old Crow.
The new Health and Wellness Centre replaces the outdated healthcare facility from the 1970s and offers a wide range of health and social services. These include primary healthcare, mental health and substance use counselling, home care and family support programs. The centre will also host regular visits from nurse practitioners, doctors and allied health professionals to help provide ongoing, high-quality care.
The centre operates with regular clinic hours, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1 pm to 4:30 pm, and is closed on Saturday and Sunday.
The new facility is a key element of a larger development plan for Old Crow, which also includes the recently opened 10-plex housing project. Both initiatives represent years of planning and collaboration between the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation and the Government of Yukon, aimed at addressing gaps in healthcare and staff housing needs in the community.
Awarded in March 2021, the $55 million contract for both projects was given to Ketza TSL Construction, generating an estimated $12.5 million in economic benefits, including employment, training and business opportunities for Old Crow residents.
Our government is proud to see the opening of the Health and Wellness Centre in Old Crow, a facility that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of Yukoners. This new centre helps ensure that all Yukoners, no matter where they live, have access to high-quality, culturally safe and community-based healthcare. This centre embodies our commitment to addressing the unique health needs of rural communities, as outlined in the Putting People First report. We thank the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation for their collaboration and partnership in this project, which will benefit community members of Old Crow for generations to come.
Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee
I am thrilled to be celebrating the opening of Natr’idizhii Srii Tr’agwandaii Hah Zheh. This new facility is a key milestone for our community, one that will allow us to provide Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation Citizens and residents of Old Crow with holistic, collaborative care by integrated, interdisciplinary teams.
Vuntut Gwitchin Government Chief Pauline Frost
The completion of the Old Crow Health and Wellness Centre stands as a significant achievement for both our team and the community. This facility is a testament to innovative construction practices, such as the use of adaptive ad-freeze piles, which ensure long-term durability in the challenging northern environment. We are proud to have delivered a space that will support the health and well-being of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, fostering growth and enhancing services for generations to come.
Ketza TSL Construction Ltd. President Eric Brohman
Quick facts
- A 2018 review of all Yukon health centres identified the Old Crow Health Centre as the top priority for replacement. The previous health centre was built in the early 1970s.
- The new Health and Wellness Centre has been operational since July 11, 2024.
- The Health and Wellness Centre is the first to be designed and constructed based on a generic functional program developed by the departments of Health and Social Services and Highways and Public Works for smaller Yukon communities.
- The Health and Wellness Centre is adjacent to a new staff housing 10-plex, which opened in April 2024.
- In spring 2021, a 60-year land lease was signed with the Vuntut Gwitchin Government, allowing the Government of Yukon to use Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation land for the 10-plex and Health and Wellness Centre.
Media contact
Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
laura.seeley@yukon.ca
Nigel Allan
Health and Social Services
867-332-9576
nigel.allan@yukon.ca
Gyde Shephard
Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
613-804-4273
gyde.shepherd@vgfn.net
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