Frank Beardy appointed Co-Chair Emeritus

On Wednesday, January 30, 2013, at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, Frank Beardy, former co-chair of the board of directors for the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre, was given a plaque and appointed co-chair emeritus, for his contributions to the governance of the health centre.

In attendance were Sol Mamakwa, Co-chair, Board of Directors, David Murray, President & CEO, SLMHC, Barb Linkewich, Vice President, Clinical Services & Research, SLMHC, and Carmen Blais, Aboriginal Engagement Lead & Patient Advocate, TBRHSC.

During the short ceremony, there was a sense of humility and respect as Mr. Mamakwa handed him a beautiful plaque thanking him for his years of service in SLMHCs journey toward improved health care for all people in the Sioux Lookout catchment area.

“On behalf of the board and staff of Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre, it was with great honor and pride that I presented Mr. Beardy with this plaque, a small token of our deep gratitude and appreciation for his leadership on the board. He taught us many valuable lessons about what it takes to lead an organization and to realize a people’s dream, that leadership is not a technique, but that it comes from the heart,” said Mr. Mamakwa.

During his career, Mr. Beardy has served the Anishinaabe people in many leadership positions, among which were Chief of Muskrat Dam First Nation, a leader in political treaty organizations at the provincial and national levels, executive director of NNEC, etc.. Mr. Beardy was actively involved with the Chiefs’ Negotiating Committee working toward the amalgamation of the federal and provincial hospitals in Sioux Lookout, which culminated in the 1997, Sioux Lookout Four Party Hospital Services Agreement, resulting in the creation of the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre. Mr. Beardy served as co-chair on the board from 2005 to 2011.

Mr. Beardy’s work has always been based on the importance of culture, language of the Anishinaabe people and their world view. These values still matter to him deeply as he continues to be active with Anishinaabe organizations.

“I’m very happy to see Sol is replacing me in the co-chair position and I’m confident he will move things forward,” said Mr. Beardy.