Sagamok Signs MOU with Whitefish River First Nation, Town of Espanola and Espanola Regional Hospital and Health Centre

On Friday, June 26, 2026, Sagamok Anishnawbek, Whitefish River First Nation, the Town of Espanola, and Espanola Regional Hospital and Health Centre signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the four partners as they begin to explore the possibility of building a long-term care (LTC) facility in the region.  

About 40 attendees were led in ceremony by Whitefish River’s Art Jacko and Sagamok’s Wayne Southwind. They trekked along a narrow forest path and gathered in a clearing under the open sky. Art and Wayne had identified the site in advance, a small piece of the acreage donated by the Town of Espanola to support the project. Following the ceremony, the group took cover from the heat under a large tent to hear remarks and sign the MOU.  

Sagamok’s Delores Trudeau shared an opening prayer, which was followed by a formal welcome by Joseph Burke, CAO/Clerk for the Town of Espanola. Chief Rodney Nahwegahbow of Whitefish River First Nation, Chief Angus Toulouse of Sagamok Anishnawbek, Martin Lees, CEO of Espanola Regional Hospital and Health Centre, and Town of Espanola Mayor Douglas Gervais addressed the crowd with remarks in support of the partnership.  

A copy of the MOU will be on the Sagamok Members Portal when it is made available.  

Read the press release here.

Photo credit: Sagamok Communications

Drone photo credit: Carson Nadeau, Town of Espanola