The Norway House Cree Nation Primary Care Clinic is helping residents navigate the transition to new provincial health identification by hosting outreach sessions to assist with health card applications. The initiative aims to support community members in securing both the new plastic Manitoba health cards and the digital versions recently launched by the province.
Manitoba began its shift from traditional paper health cards to new plastic cards on January 15, 2025. By February 2025, more than 200,000 residents across the province had already applied for the updated cards, which feature imagery of the northern lights. The province expanded these options further on January 12, 2026, by introducing a digital health card available through a mobile application.
These outreach sessions are hosted at the Kinosew Sipi Nanatawiwekamik Health Centre of Excellence. Opened in August 2024, the $157.9 million facility serves the community’s 9,095 residents, providing a local hub for this administrative support.
The assistance is particularly important for northern communities, where limited internet connectivity can create significant barriers to completing online applications. Having accessible health documentation is also a priority for provincial health officials, especially during emergencies such as wildfires when residents may need to leave their homes quickly. Digital and plastic cards ensure that essential health identification remains available even when paper documents are difficult to transport or prone to damage.
Existing paper cards remain valid, and residents are not required to switch to the new cards immediately. Those interested in receiving help with their applications can contact the primary care clinic for information on upcoming outreach sessions.
Norway House Cree Nation continues to work toward ensuring all community members have reliable access to the updated provincial health services.
