Canada’s first fully Indigenous-owned imaging clinic expands and reopens in Saskatoon

A First Nations-owned medical imaging clinic has re-opened in Saskatoon with expanded MRI capacity.

National Medical Imaging (NMI), the only 100 percent First Nation-owned imaging clinic in Canada, has expanded its facilities in their Market Mall location in Saskatoon. The facility has been in scanning patients since 2022, but temporarily closed in order to have their second MRI installed.

NMI is owned by James Smith Cree Nation, Chakastaypasin Band of the Cree Nation, and Peter Chapman Band. Indigenous Services Canada contributed $1 million to the expansion.

NMI held their grand re-opening on October 13.

“It opens up a whole gamut of MRI studies,” Darin Humphreys, NMI executive director, told Eagle Feather News.

“MRIs are in very high demand – both in Saskatchewan and other provinces across the country. This will help with addressing the wait list in Saskatchewan.”

The national average for MRI wait times is 16.2 weeks. In Saskatchewan, the average wait time is 15 weeks. The expansion supports the Government of Saskatchewan’ Patients First Health Care Plan, which sets a 2028 target of 90 percent of diagnostic scans within 60 days.

“For our patients, it means improved access and shorter wait times. For our owners, it means continuing to invest in healthcare in Saskatchewan while creating jobs and economic opportunity in our communities.”

The expansion features a new 1.5T magnet, which complements their 3T magnet, allowing for additional and specialized MRI exams that the Saskatchewan Health Authority requests, said Humphreys.

Leaders from the First Nation ownership said that the expansion also means increased opportunities for their members.

“Our people are very proud, and our citizens can look forward to jobs in an area they have never traditionally worked,” said Robert Head, Chief of Peter Chapman Band.

“We are so pleased to reopen, do more for so many people, and cut those wait times down.”

In order to improve access to diagnostic imaging services for remote and underserved communities, NMI is sending a medical radiation technologist to communities approximately 18 days a year to screen for conditions like tuberculosis.

NMI is also an accredited clinical placement site for Saskatchewan Polytechnic and Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, giving medical students community based experience.

“This expansion means much more than simply growing a business,” said Kirby Constant, Chief of James Smith Cree Nation.

“It means greater economic independence for our Nation, long term revenue that can be reinvested into our people, and more employment, training and career opportunities for our citizens.”