Waskaganish | ᐙᔅᑳᐦᐄᑲᓂᔥ

General Description

Location

Wachiya! Waskaganish (ᐙᔅᑳᐦᐄᑲᓂᔥ/Wâskâhîkaniš) is a Cree community of approximately 2800 people located at the mouth of the Rupert River on the southeast shore of James Bay in the Eeyou Istchee territory of Northern Quebec. Waskaganish means “Little House”. Formerly known as Fort Rupert (and still labeled on Google maps as such), this location was one of three original Hudson’s Bay Company posts on James Bay (the others being Fort Albany and Moose Factory in Ontario). The teaching site is part of the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay.

Capacity

• 13 trainees per year (1 trainee per period).

Length of Rotation

• 1 month

Language

• Spoken: English, French
• Charting: French and English
• Population spoken language: Cree, English, and French

Clinical Exposure and Learning Experience

Rotation primarily done in Clinic (Dispensary)

Trainees can be exposed to:

• Home care/visits
• Minor Procedures
• Acute care/On-call
• Prenatal and Postnatal Care
• Walk-in Clinic
• Palliative care
• Mental health
• Chronic disease

► The trainees assigned supervisor may change during the course of their rotation.

Other Interesting Information

The clinic provides primary healthcare services.

• 3-5 permanent family doctors at the clinic at a time.
• One to one staff-learner supervision
   

Watch the Documentary on SRC-TV, highlighting the work of Dr.Kitty & the healthcare challenges people in Eeyou Istchee face.

Lodging

Type of Lodging

Lodging is provided by the establishment and is located at a short walking distance from the clinic.

Trainees are lodged in a "transit". A transit is a house shared by other medical professionals. Trainees have a private room and share common gender-neutral areas (bathroom, kitchen, living room).

► It is important that everyone does their share to keep all common areas clean and safe at any time.

Accommodation Commodities

All accommodations are non-smoking environments.

Transportation

Trainees will fly to Waskaganish airport (YKQ) and then the clinic driver will pick-up and bring the trainee to their transit. As the flight and ground transportation is reserved and paid for by the site, trainees will not receive any stipend for transportation. 

Note: Driving to Waskaganish is not recommended due to risk of accidents and part of the road is unpaved and has no cell phone reception.

Traveling by Plane

The flight arrangements are made in advance by the site coordinator located in Chisasibi. An email confirming transportation is usually sent 2 weeks prior to the departure date. If you haven’t received it, contact the site coordinator.

• Departure is usually from Air Creebec 9475 Av. Ryan, Dorval, QC H9P 1A2 (although sometimes it may be from Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport).  Tickets should be picked up on the day of travel at the AirCreebec counter.
• You should confirm your flight 24 hours prior to the departure with Air Creebec as flights can be delayed due to weather constraints.
• The flight leaves early morning on the first Monday of your rotation and the return flight is the last Friday afternoon of your rotation.
• It is recommended that you arrive at the counter of AirCreebec at least 1 hours in advance.
• Checked luggage is restricted to 44 lbs, 2 luggage.
• When your trip is longer than 2 weeks, you are allowed to bring the following but you MUST inform 18TCR MD Reservation in advance to obtain special approval:
  • Check-in a maximum of 3 pieces of luggage per person
  • Total weight for the 3 pieces together cannot exceed 100 lbs
  • Maximum weight for one piece is 50 lbs.
• For planes leaving Air Creebec 9475 Av. Ryan, you can check-in 3 pieces of luggage with a total combined weight of 44 lbs. You are allowed 1 carry on item 13 lbs max and 1 personal item (eg. computer bag/backpack) as well. Please note, you may be able to ask for extra baggage up to a total combined weight of 100lbs but must obtain special approval before your flight.
• Note: If ever your plane departs from Pierre-Elliott Trudeau airport (flights from Pierre-Elliot Trudeau have been stopped since pandemic), checked luggage is very tightly restricted to 20 kg (44 lbs) and fees may be charged for exceeding this limit.
• It is recommended that you bring snacks on board; a light meal is usually served.
• Once at destination, ensure that the luggage is unloaded.
• There will be a van-taxi waiting to bring you to the clinic. Although the driver has your name, we recommend having a proactive approach and asking questions at the counter.
• The flight lands directly in Waskaganish. There will be a driver waiting to bring you to the clinic. Although the driver has your name, we recommend having a proactive approach and ask for the clinic driver. If you are unable to find the clinic driver, please call the clinic. The clinic and transit are a very short 5-minute drive from the airport.
• For any other questions about the flight, you may contact Air Creebec (phone 1-800-567-6567).
   

Use of Personal Vehicle

Important:
Read the online information before using your personal vehicle for university related activities.

Important Information

Please review the following rotation guidelines before the start of your rotation:

orientation_package_-_waskaganish_medical_resident_student_.pdf

Important:
At least 3 weeks prior to rural rotation/elective, email the site contact to confirm your arrival.

Contact