Welta’sualule’k
Kiknu, which means “our home” in Mi’kmaq, will be Nova Scotia’s first long term care home on a First Nation community. It will be home to 48 community elders who will continue to be surrounded by Mi’kmaq culture and traditions.
Information about Kiknu
Kiknu is a licensed long term care home that will have 48 private suites. This means, residents who live at Kiknu will have needs that require 24-hour care supporting all activities of daily living, including nursing services, medication management and personal care.
Because Kiknu is licensed by the Department of Seniors and Long Term Care, there will be an application process before someone moves into the home. This can be coordinated through Continuing Care.
If a resident is assessed and needs the level of care offered at Kiknu, they will be offered a suite in the home. At that time, the team will work to ensure the resident and their family feel at home and are surrounded by things that bring joy. This includes:
- Asking questions to learn about physical and clinical needs, likes, dislikes and wishes.
- Help with furniture, clothing, personal items, etc., you need to bring when you move in.
- Ensuring your room has the right equipment like a hospital bed, access to a nurse call system, accessible washroom, etc.
Quick Facts
Kiknu is Inspired by Turtle Island and designed in the shape of a turtle with a designated central gathering place for elders, family, and loved ones. There are a lot of interesting facts to discover about the community.
Philosophy of Service
Fundamental to Kiknu is the belief that residents who call it home will have a say in the care they receive. They will make their own decisions about their quality of life and well-being, including the kind of food served, the activities that take place and even overall operations. As much as possible, they will also receive care and service in their language of choice. This is called “resident-directed” care.
Services
This new home for elders will offer holistic health care and services that reflect First Nations culture, values and attitudes. It allows residents to live comfortably and with dignity. Kiknu will have private rooms and washrooms, 24-hour care and service by on-site health professionals, a designated space for palliative care, laundry service, an on-site salon/barber and internet and cable in each room.
Community Consultation
Kiknu will be designed with space to welcome the greater community. A central gathering space will be available and act as a community hub, providing resources, programs and opportunities for engagement that will keep elders connected to their community. Some ideas being considered are having a community liaison, community partnerships and a regular newsletter.
Quality of Life, Wellness and Safety
Ensuring a residents-first approach to care and service will ensure Kiknu is supporting independence, promoting dignity and placing value on the choices for how elders want to live their lives. Mi’kmaq language will be spoken in the home. There are plans to hold language and sensitivity training, and building signage will be bilingual. There will be a small common area where cultural elements can be showcased and enjoyed by everyone in the community traditional food options will be incorporated into the menu based on resident preferences.
The home will also operate in a manner that protects the health and safety of residents, employees, families, volunteers and the general public. Consistent with operating policies and procedures developed by subject-matter experts and clinical leaders in long term care and approved by the Department of Seniors and Long Term Care.
Social Activities
There will be plenty of recreation and rehabilitation services for elders who live at Kiknu, including daily activities and programs, celebrations and physical activities that will be developed based on the preferences of residents. Mi’kmaq culture and traditions will be incorporated into all activities, such as singing, drumming, storytelling and gardening.
Building Design
Mi’kmaq culture has been a primary consideration in the building design, which is intended to reflect the art, crafts and ceremonies of the Mi’kmaq people blended with the safest and most advanced design for long term care. This includes a traditional building structure located on beautiful, landscaped grounds featuring a garden and/or a wigwam. Eskasoni family trees or clans will be featured on the walls, and a warm and inviting atmosphere with plenty of seating for both residents and visitors will be offered throughout the home.
A Partnership with Shannex
Shannex will act as an operating partner, alongside the First Nations community of Eskasoni, in the development of this new home. Shannex will manage the development of the home overseeing the construction, preparedness, operations and management. Eskasoni will collaborate on design, programming and staffing to ensure a care program and home environment is developed that reflects the values and attitudes of our greater community.
Community Consultation
As the first long term care home on a First Nation community in Nova Scotia, it was important to incorporate feedback from Eskasoni elders and Band Council on what they would like to see come to life for the new home.
All feedback has been integrated into the planning and development of Kiknu. Following are some important themes heard from the community through the consultation.
Meet Kiknu’s Site Manager
Terrance (Terry) Bernard, R.N., is a life-long resident of the Eskasoni First Nations community. Terry’s cultural upbringing was rooted in Mi’kmaw traditions and fluency in the Mi’kmaq language, combined with his passion for improving the lives of elders, is a natural fit for his role as Site Manager for Kiknu, Nova Scotia’s first long term care home located on a first nations community.
While providing respite care for a close family member, Terry realized his calling to pursue a career in nursing. He graduated in 2015 with his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Cape Breton University. Before joining Shannex, Terry worked for the Eskasoni Health Centre, Home and Community Care and Foot Care.
Currently, Terry is working at Harbourstone Enhanced Care in Sydney, Nova Scotia as a Community Manager while also working closely with the development team at Kiknu. Terry believes providing the elders with the physical and cultural care they need and deserve is what he is meant to do.
Looking for more Information?
If you have questions about Kiknu, please fill out the form below and we will be happy to answer your questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is your home. Friends, families and loved ones are welcome to visit you. This is also home to many other people and we ask that visitors respect others’ and their spaces.
Your safety and the safety of visitors is our priority. Entrance into the home is monitored 24/7. In the event of an emergency, we need to know who is in the building at all times and everyone will be asked to sign in and out at the front desk, this includes residents.
If you are planning on being out of the home for any reason, the person accompanying you will need to sign you out and make sure they are aware of your care needs, including any medications that need to be taken while you are away.
We know that quality food is important. We have worked with the community to incorporate traditional meals into the menu at Kiknu.
Stay connected.
For more information about Kiknu.