The Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre has opened a new clinic in Owen Sound.
A release from the SOAHAC says that on September 9th, they marked Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Day by opening their new Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Diagnostic Clinic in Owen Sound. The clinic is known as DookjiiKahn, which means “a place to look for and to find answers.”
“The clinic was created to provide client and family centered, holistic, culturally safe, trauma-informed, FASD-informed, community based, and locally accessible FASD assessment and diagnostic services,” the release said.
The ceremonies were opened with a song, a smudge, and a prayer by Elder Shirley John whose traditional name is Strong White Buffalo Woman. Shirley is from Saugeen First Nation, and she currently works as an Elder and a Grandmother to all. The new clinic is located at the SOAHAC site at 733 9th Avenue East in Owen Sound.
“Our community partners are fully committed to our vision, and our multidisciplinary assessment, diagnostic and care teams represent the best of traditional healing and western practices,” said Dominique Legacy, Integrated Care Manager at SOAHAC’s Owen Sound site.
“We are excited to offer FASD assessment and diagnosis for our First Nations, Métis and Inuit clients right here in Grey Bruce,” Legacy added. “We are especially grateful to our Indigenous community members who trust us to provide a safe place to look for and to find answers for the children, youth and young adults they entrust to us.”
