Archive for category: Community

In March, the Listuguj Community Health Services Directorate announced that Dr. Jean-Paul Dedam, M.D., will be joining their team as the new physician in the community. Having a physician in Listuguj is something that Listuguj Community Health Services (LCHS) has been working towards for quite some time. They wanted someone with experience in caring for Indigenous people, with ties to the community and Mi’gmaw culture. Dr. Dedam was a perfect fit for the position.

Dr. Dedam is a Listuguj community member, who grew up in Maine. Prior to taking on this new role, Dr. Dedam was living and working in New Mexico. He is temporarily residing with his uncle, Herbie Martin and Elizabeth Barnaby, and is in the early stages of learning Mi’gmaq. He is hoping to take Mi’gmaw Immersion classes later in the year. Although this will be his first time living in Listuguj, he said, “In the back of my mind, I was always preparing myself to come here.”

He has been a Board-Certified Family Physician since 2009. He went to college, medical school, and did his residency training in New England. He has outstanding work experience having worked in hospital settings, running a non-profit organization in Nicaragua, facilitating a Diabetes Empowerment Group, working on Cancer Center Symptom Management and is a Board-Certified Medical Acupuncturist. Dr. Dedam understands the trauma that Indigenous people face, and how that plays a significant role when it comes to health. He said, “The root of almost all health disparities in Native communities, other than some degree of poverty – varying by community, is trauma. Historical trauma and unfortunately ongoing childhood trauma.”

Dr. Dedam recognizes how cultural healing and practices can be beneficial to individuals. He has taken part in sweat lodge ceremonies and recently attended his first Mi’gmaw sweat lodge in Eel River Bar. He said, “I do think that ceremony and traditional practices have the potential of helping Native communities in that healing journey.”  Eventually, Dr. Dedam would love to bring more Indigenous medical staff and students to Listuguj to practice medicine.

LCHS Director, Donna Metallic, spoke about the importance of having a family doctor in the community. She stated that it was a long process for Dr. Dedam, and how exciting it is that it has now become a reality. She said, “It’s very important, because he’s a community member, he’s going to see firsthand, the realities of living in a First Nation community and addressing the colonization and the traumas.” Metallic spoke about the rise of addictions in the community, and how a doctor is needed more than ever.

LCHS recently had a meeting with the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (Ministry of Health and Social Services “MSSS”), Centre intégré de santé et de service sociaux (Integrated health and social services center “CISSS”), plus partners at the Maria hospital, Dr. Dedam and clinic staff at LCHS. LCHS expressed their needs through the Mawlugutijej Cancer project. They stressed that the community needs to feel connected and have access to health care and resources. Dr. Dedam will be working with a family of physicians with the Groupe de médecine de famille (Family Group Medicine “GMF”). There has been an agreement with the MSSS for Listuguj community members to be able to bypass any Medicare card issues they may be dealing with. There will be a Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) navigator available at LCHS that will do applications for individuals who currently do not have a Medicare card.

Dr. Dedam will be offering house visits, he’ll be working closely with the Listuguj Community Social Services and the Listuguj Wellness Renewal Initiative, as well as Mawiomi Treatment Centre in Gesgapegiag and the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal. Metallic said, “Dr. Dedam being here for the past few weeks, it’s been a whirlwind of visits, site visits, meeting with the different stakeholders that we have here, our sister community of Gesgapegiag as well. So that he really gets an understanding and a feel of what the portrait of our community is here.”

Dr. Dedam will begin his role as Physician at LCHS starting May 1^st. Over the past few months, LCHS has been asking community members who do not have a family doctor, to contact them with their information. Those community members without a family doctor, will be taken as patients by Dr. Dedam, and will have access to his services. As of right now, Dr. Dedam will have an office at the Waqatasg Elders Facility.

If you have any questions regarding Dr. Dedam’s services, or for any other services offered at Listuguj Community Health Services, please call 418-788-2155.

Welcome Dr. Dedam!

By Ann Marie Jacques

Last Summer, a naming contest was held for the Admin 2 building at 48 Dundee Rd. This building houses LMG’s Communications and IT departments, the Restorative Justice Directorate and the MMS organization.

Listuguj Community member Rena Morrison was the winner with “Mawlugutieg.” Mawlugutieg meaning “We Work Together” in Mi’gmaq.

Earlier this month, the building received beautiful new signage.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this contest!

By Ann Marie Jacques

Mawo’ltijig Mijjuaji’g Child Care Centre is a staple in the community of Listuguj since its formation in 1991. It is located at 8 Pacific Drive, with roughly 70 children enrolled, from three months up to five years in age. The outstanding staff provide the children with care, education and cultural teachings. Amber MacDonald is the Co-Director of Education, Jennifer Crispe (Duguay) is the Co-Director of Administration, along with a number of long-time employees, like, Carolyn Metallic, Caroline “Curly” Clement and Robin Mitchell, several other employees, and a Board of Directors. There are also a variety of specialized workers who visit the Centre regularly to evaluate and work with the children, such as an occupational therapist, speech and language pathologist, dental hygienist, therapeutic services, and more.

The Centre is open Monday to Friday, from 7:30AM to 5:30PM, with six classrooms in total. Children receive a daily nutritious breakfast and lunch, as well as nap time, quiet time, and various hands-on learning activities like tabletop activities, free play, crafts, outdoor play, and much more. When it comes to the learning experience in the Centre, Crispe said, “The educators try to implement different areas within their classrooms, so their language and literacy, their music and movement, their math and science, their sensory, their art, so they’re able to kind of tailor it to the needs of the children for the day.” The staff work with the children to provide them with important skills and a sense of routine and structure. MacDonald said, “We’re very good at implementing life skills and hygiene routines such as toileting and handwashing, and also self resiliency, self esteem and independence through dressing routines, mealtimes and cleaning up.”  A sensory room is currently in the works to support children’s individual sensory needs. These types of rooms benefit children who may be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or for children who are experiencing sensory overload.

Mawo’ltijig Mijjuaji’g Child Care Centre is unique when it comes to its curriculum execution and teaching plans. A Pedagogical Advisor was introduced in the Centre, which is a first for early learning centres in the province of Quebec. MacDonald said, “I piloted our Pedagogical Advisor Project to which we were paid a compliment from the First Nation of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Service Commission that we were a model community for other First Nations communities across the province.” All educators follow an in-depth curriculum to ensure children are on the right track to reach all their developmental and educational milestones.  Crispe was the Pedagogical Advisor in the Centre and has just recently taken on the role of Co-Director of Administration. She will continue to work on pedagogical approaches due to the project’s success.

For every classroom, two out of the three educators are certified in Early Childhood Education. The staff are always encouraged and motivated to enhance their education when it comes to childcare. The Centre works closely with the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Development Centre (LMDC) and sponsors students through their Step-by-Step program. Individuals must undergo vulnerable sector checks prior to being employed at the Centre. The staff also become certified in standard First Aid and CPR.

Mi’gmaw and cultural teachings are very important when it comes to the children. The children are taught months, colours, animals and more in Mi’gmaw on a regular basis by Carolyn Metallic and are encouraged to speak Mi’gmaw and embrace their culture. Vice President of the Board of Directors, Julianne Wysote said, “This instills that identity in them at a young age.” Community members are often invited into the classrooms to share their knowledge and teachings with the children. A new playground is currently in the works, and the goal for this upgrade is to offer outdoor education with a First Nations themed playground.

Mawo’ltijig Mijjuaji’g Child Care Centre has a bright and warm atmosphere, and it’s very clear the staff work hard for the well-being and care of the children in the community. Crispe said, “I’ve been in and out of different day cares in various communities, big and small, so the thing about working in a small community is just that sense of family dynamic. It’s such a tight knit community and you just feel so much love.” They thrive on seeing the children’s accomplishments over the years, seeing them reach milestones, and achievements. Metallic said, “I come in, and whatever goes on outside of the daycare, I don’t know, because my heart is here.”

If you are interested in enrolling your child in Mawo’ltijig Mijjuaji’g Child Care Centre or would like information, please contact (418) 788-2553 or email mawodaycare@gmail. ca. Please note, parents can expect to be placed on a wait list for a spot at the Centre.

Wela’lioq to the staff for their tremendous work on taking care of Listuguj’s children.

By Ann Marie Jacques