By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer For David Wassegijig, life in a Northern Ontario First Nation long-term care home revolves around family and routine. He sees his in-laws, cousins and four grandchildren whenever he pleases, participates in resident gatherings and attends outings organized by staff, including trips to shops, ferries, haircuts, country music jamborees and holiday celebrations. “We’re all living regular daily lives,” he said. But when Wassegijig heard the Wiikwemkoong long-term care home \u2014 \u00a0which he helped build decades ago on Manitoulin Island and shelters him now \u2014 might lose its licence last year, like many residents, he feared closure would send residents to larger urban centres. “I don\u2019t know what it\u2019d be like if I was in Sudbury,” he said. “I\u2019d always be thinking… <\/p>\n
By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer For David Wassegijig, life in a Northern Ontario First Nation long-term care home revolves around family and routine. He sees his in-laws, cousins and four grandchildren whenever he pleases, participates in resident gatherings and attends outings organized by staff, including trips to shops, ferries, haircuts, country music jamborees and holiday celebrations. “We’re all living regular daily lives,” he said. But when Wassegijig heard the Wiikwemkoong long-term care home \u2014 \u00a0which he helped build decades ago on Manitoulin Island and shelters him now \u2014 might lose its licence last year, like many residents, he feared closure would send residents to larger urban centres. “I don\u2019t know what it\u2019d be like if I was in Sudbury,” he said. “I\u2019d always be thinking... <\/p>\n