To the Board of Directors of the Wabano Health Centre:

This Letter is in respect to an outside perspective of what I've seen and heard in the last few months about the Wabano Health Centre.  I am a community member, and educated service provider, a student, and mother.  I value the services that are given to our community and it is within hope that they are presented to our people in a meaningful and caring manner.  While I hear good things from the community about Wabano, I also hear a disproportionate amount of negative things, especially from qualified service providers, and also, respected community members.  I hear that in attempts to save dollars, people have been fired without prior notice and with insult to their careers, given false reviews. I hear that, numerous people have walked off the job all at the same time because of issues with management.  I have heard of the Executive Director described as a fire breathing dragon with no kind bone in her body.  I've even heard whispers from staff members in employment that they are disheartened, fearful, and anxious while there.  What is devastating, is the fact that I also hear that the community is not only catching wind, they are feeling that there is no continuity or stability in the services they access at this organization.

It's no secret that Aboriginal children and youth who come from families who are "at risk" or "high risk" deserve stability, as it's imperative to healthy growth that they have structure in their lives.  Consequently, it presents a task to build trust and to bond with their service providers, and when its constantly threatened because of internal politics, it becomes a sad situation for all involved.  It systematically disables the bridges connecting them to organizations as a whole, as it disengages them from outreaching to services that could otherwise help them, stemming from the fear of yet another repeated turnover in care providers and support.  Thus, bringing us to the question.  Is Wabano helping or hindering our community?

A large percentage of being a caring centre is providing an environment where it is kind, safe, and provides a sense of belonging to the client.  How can that happen, when the caregiver is being abused, where truth is omitted, and deceitful intentions are hidden?  There is a level of integrity & transparency that must be used when working with people, especially in the human services field, where all people are trying to do, is good work.

It is in my experience that qualified, valuable, aboriginal workers are hard to come by, and the excellent ones will not thrive in an environment where they are bullied, targeted, and treated unjustly.  A good recipe to creating productive & happy workers, and the secret to attracting them to your organization is by creating a positive rapport with them and having a solid reputation for being fair, professional, and reasonable.  Also, a key ingredient of healthy team leadership is praising them for their hard efforts and providing positive critiquing when guidance is needed.  Internal affairs have to be respectful of everyone's rights to work within a supportive, and safe environment. 

Personally, I would not work at Wabano, would not even consider it due to the systematic abuse that seems to run rapid there.  It seems like it has been poisoned in retrospect to dictatorship and has lost its purpose to care for the community, and overall, it's environment is toxic and blatantly abusive to workers rights, and as a community member, I can see it loud and clear.

Sincerely,

Concerned Aboriginal Community Member.  

To all workers impacted by Wabano, and the the community who feels this impact. Please write your comments about your experience, remember that you can remain anonymous, and if you want to make your voice heard, send your letters to the head of the board:

pgauthier@rogers.com

You may also want to send your letters directly to brandoncree@live.ca to be collected.  Thank you. 

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