Josias Fiddler Conference Centre

In honour of Mr. Josias Fiddler, who passed away in May 2012, the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre dedicated their new conference room as the “Josias Fiddler Conference Centre.” The elders council, at their December 2012 meeting, sanctioned this decision.

Mr. Fiddler accomplished many great works along his life’s journey, including being the Chief of Sandy Lake First Nation; a driving force behind the creation of the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre; an advisor to the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, among other things. He was spiritual leader for the Nishnaawbe Aski Nation Executive Council; very active on the NAN Elders Council and was a co-chair on the SLMHC Elders Council, as well as a member on the board of directors for SLMHC.

A faithful follower and practitioner of the traditional ways of his people, Mr. Fiddler shared his acquired knowledge with all who would listen. This knowledge was his strength and compass and a source of great wisdom. It enabled him to pass on meaningful advice to the board of directors, physicians and staff at SLMHC to use new approaches in the development of new programs and services. These new approaches are the ‘old ways’ of the Anishinaabe people and are based on strengthening relationships between all people. He was the traditional healer at SLMHC and in aiding patients and clients, he certainly helped staff and physicians expand their thinking of how to provide care.

Mr. Fiddler was a natural teacher, who had enormous patience and a quiet, understated humour that assisted others in learning the lessons they needed to learn.

He is greatly missed.