The Lake of the Woods District Hospital (LWDH), in partnership with Kenora Chiefs Advisory (KCA), undertook the planning of a new All Nations Hospital facility, following the directives of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Capital Planning Guidelines. The immediate scope of the project was to complete a Stage 1 Proposal submission and develop the Stage 2 Functional Program for the major hospital redevelopment.

At that time, we were at a historic juncture for Indigenous and Canadian relations in the Kenora area, with all communities taking positive steps towards true partnership and "Reconciliation Through Health." The Kenora Chiefs Advisory (KCA), Grand Council Treaty 3, the Kenora Metis Council, Iskatewizaagegan No. 39 Independent First Nation, Animakee Wa Zhing #37 First Nation, the City of Kenora, and the Township of Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls had all agreed to the following resolution, which was signed and witnessed in a ceremony: "That all parties agree to work together in partnership in the development of an All Nations Health Care System, including the construction of an All Nations Hospital and Campus, with the express purpose of improving health outcomes for all people of the region it serves."

Throughout the planning process, we worked towards accessible and culturally safe health care across all sectors and services, focusing on the new All Nations Hospital, while aligning planning within the context of Truth and Reconciliation. This marked one of the first large developments in the Kenora area that embarked on a true planning partnership with our surrounding First Nations communities, municipalities, and the Indigenous population in general.