Vision and Mission

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Our Goal

The primary goal of the Naotkamegwanning First Nation EMS is to deliver culturally relevant land-based ambulance services to the Naotkamegwanning First Nation and the surrounding communities.

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Mission Statement

Naotkamegwanning EMS has a mission, and is committed, to provide, and ensure access to, land ambulance services to the citizens of Naotkamegwanning First Nation and surrounding communities as an integral component of an optimal health care program.

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Quality Assurance

Quality Improvement at Naotkamegwanning First Nations Ambulance Services is a process whereby we continuously strive to improve the services and systems to meet and exceed the expectations of our patients, fellow staff members, the residents of Naotkamegwanning First Nations, and surrounding communities.

Management Team

Andrea Joyce

Director of Paramedic Services

director@wfbems.com

Sherry Blake

Deputy Director of Paramedic Services

deputydirector@wfbems.com

Heather Johnson

Community Paramedic Coordinator

cpp@wfbems.com

History of Service

October 2007

October 2007- Naotkamegwanning EMS opened its doors for service and staffed with 2 full-time Primary Care Paramedics and a small handful of casual Primary Care Paramedics. Our paramedics were available for emergencies 8 hours a day Monday to Friday.

2010

An additional 2 full-time Primary Care Paramedics were hired, and we began being available for emergencies in 12-hour blocks on a rotating schedule.

2012

We switched from paper ACRs to electronic ACRs.

Early 2014

An additional 4 full-time Primary Care Paramedics were hired bring us to a total of 8 full-time Primary Care Paramedics. At this time, we also switched to being available for emergencies 24 hour a day, 7 days a week.

Mid 2014

All of our full time paramedics became IV certified and we began the process to have the remaining paramedic staff IV certified.

October 2017

We moved into our new ambulance base located on Main Drive.

July 2018

A grand opening was held for our new base where our base was named and a blessing was given.

February 2021

We received funding for a Community Paramedic Program.

FN Community

Naotkamegwanning Aanishinaabe Nation, formally known as Whitefish Bay is a part of the Treaty #3 territory. The Aanishinaabeg of Whitefish Bay first language is the Ojibwe language. Whitefish Bay is also known as ‘Home of the Jingle Dress’ for which the jingle dress originated. This healing dress is represented all over the world, mostly at gatherings such as pow-wows.

Whitefish Bay pow-wow will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary pow-wow in July 2023. Whitefish Bay is also home to The Whitefish Bay Singers and Hanishaa Singers drum groups. World class champion singers preserving our traditional Culture of song and dance. Members of Naotkamegwanning continue to have a connection with the land through fishing and hunting. Cultural events and ceremonies are held at Naotkamegwanning’s Roundhouse and pow-wow grounds.

Sunset Country

Sunset Country is a region in Northwestern Ontario that was given its name due to the breathtaking sunsets that occur throughout the year. Sunset country is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. There truly is something for everyone here. Over 70,000 lakes and rivers provide ample locations for fishing and offer stunning views for canoeing and kayaking. The boreal forest is home to all kinds of wildlife and beautiful trails and offers the perfect opportunity for hunting, wildlife viewing, or hiking along the rugged Canadian Shield.

Local communities offer plenty of shopping and unique dining experiences. During the summer, the many Indigenous communities host a Pow Wow, often open to the public, offering the chance to take in and learn about Indigenous culture and traditions. In the winter months Sunset Country is home to snowmobiling, ice fishing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, downhill skiing, and snowboarding.

Andrea Joyce

Director of Paramedic Services

Boozhoo all my relatives.

My name is Andrea Joyce. I am a wife to a supportive and loving husband, Donald. Daughter of an inspiring IRS Survivor and devoted Polish mother, and sister to one loving sibling. I am a fierce dog mom to 2 cute yet devilish Boston Terriers. Although I grew up in the Niagara Region, my family’s home community is Fort Albany on the Coast of James Bay. I am a proud Oji-Cree woman that lives in Treaty #1 territory yet works in Treaty #3 Territory and I am striving to reclaim my culture.
I am the Director of Paramedic Services for Naotkamegwanning FN Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and I have been with the service since it opened in late 2007. I worked as a front-line paramedic for 7 plus years, as a supervisor for 4 years and I have been in my current position since January of 2018.
Since then, we have been working hard to modernize the service. We want to elevate it to the point where we can say we truly support our frontline heroes while striving to advocate for our patients and community members by providing stellar health care but simultaneously honoring their culture when possible. And we wish to learn how to fill local healthcare gaps by broadening our services.
We are amid instituting a Community Paramedic Program that we hope will supplement existing services by partnering with various local services and agencies. This service is intended to; work alongside our current EMS and existing community services and not replace them and do our part to build a better healthcare system by equalizing Indigenous Health Care guided by the TRTC’s: Calls to Action. There is so much work to be done. And so much to learn.
I obtained a diploma in Emergency Health Services Management from Dalhousie University in my first year in the position and continue to take courses to improve my leadership skills and style. I sit on various Boards and committees to further the above statements and improve the communities that I serve.
Within Naotkamegwanning, I have participated in the Drug Task Force and the Life Promotion Initiative. In NWO, I have been on the board of Victim Services of Kenora and Area since 2018, sitting as its Chair since 2019. Last year I joined the Board of the Northwest Community Legal Clinic. I sit on a handful of committees within the profession. The few I feel most accomplished with are the Ontario Paramedic Memorial Monument Organization, EMS Exemplary Medal Committee, and Physiological Health and Wellness Committee. This month I joined the Provincial Mental Health Advisory Table. And Nationally I have spoken at the Paramedics Across Canada expo on the Indigenous P.A.R.T.Y. Program in partnership with TBRHSC and I have to spend some time with the working group to Update the National Occupational Competency Profile for Paramedics while addressing Indigenous needs such as cultural training for paramedics.
I work hard to leave something better than when I found it, but I also enjoy my downtime. I can often be found curled up with a book, quilting, and dabbling in other crafts. Recently I have learned to make mukluks, and moccasins and taken several desperate stabs at beading. The old adage “practice makes perfect” comes to mind and I will need years of practice to feel confident on the beading front. Wish me luck.
Miigwetch,
Andrea

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Sherry Blake

Deputy Director of Paramedic Services

Hello, my name is Sherry Blake, and I am the Deputy Director of Paramedic Services here in Naotkamegwanning First Nation. I started my Paramedic career here in Naotkamegwanning Sept 2010. I have worked on the ambulance as a Primary Care Paramedic since then. In April 2019 I advanced my career with the community EMS service and accepted the Deputy Director of Paramedic Services position. After accepting the position of Deputy Director, I worked hard to complete the 2-year Paramedic Leadership Fundamentals program from Conestoga College all the while working full-time and being a single Mom present in my 2 children’s final years navigating high school in 2019-2021.
It has been an honour and privilege to be part of such an amazing organization and I am thankful each and every day to work alongside such a great team here at Naotkamegwanning EMS. Serving Naotkamegwanning First Nation and the surrounding communities has been a pleasure and privilege. The relationships that have been created with the community have developed my understanding and knowledge of this amazing community.
When I am not at work you can find me out and about this beautiful region of NWO that we call home. I enjoy the lake as much as I can as my passions involve swimming, fishing, and boating. To relax and unwind I prefer to hike, snowmachine, or walk my dog. As well, I stay busy with outside chores such as firewood and yard maintenance.
My family is my backbone and strength to get me through tough times. I stay close with my family, as we are all fortunate to live in NWO. My children are grown but I get to enjoy all the joys of being an Aunt to my nieces and nephews. They do keep me on my toes and young at heart.

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Heather Johnson

Community Paramedic Coordinator

My name is Heather Johnson and I have been employed full-time with Naotkamegwanning EMS for almost 9 years! I live in Fort Frances with my partner Willie and his 2 girls.
I have 2 children of my own. My son is a police officer with an 8 year old girl and 2 1/2 year old boy. My daughter is a nurse with a 3week old baby boy!
I have recently accepted the position as the Coordinator of the Community Paramedicine program.

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