J&W Murphy Foundation announces $1 million gift to Wije'winen Centre for culturally grounded end-of-life care
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
J&W Murphy Foundation announces $1 million gift to Wije'winen Centre for culturally grounded end-of-life care
Largest private philanthropic gift to the Centre to date will support
a dedicated palliative care space and death doula training
KJIPUKTUK (HALIFAX), N.S. - September 21, 2026 - The J&W Murphy Foundation today announced a $1 million investment in the new Wije'winen Centre, the largest private philanthropic gift to the project to date. The investment will support culturally grounded palliative and end-of-life care, including a dedicated care space and death doula training for the Mi'kmaw community. The gift was announced Monday at the temporary site of the Centre operations on Brunswick St. followed by a tour of the new Wije'winen Centre construction site on Gottingen Street.
The investment will help create a space within the new Centre where community members can receive care and support at the end of life surrounded by family, culture and community. It will also support death doula training, helping build capacity for compassionate, culturally grounded care for individuals and families through one of life's most profound transitions.
"Since 2016, we have invested in patient-centred hospice and palliative care, grief literacy and family support in hospital, long-term care and community settings, and this project brings those interests together in a particularly meaningful way," said Lisa Murphy of the J&W Murphy Foundation. "Our investment in the Wije'winen Centre's palliative care space and death doula training acknowledges the Mi'kmaw community's right to hold space for one of life's most profound transitions in ways grounded in their own culture, traditions and understanding. We all walk this path. We are all deserving of a community to walk with us, a bed in which someone will care for us, and a safe place for the people who love us to grieve."
The $1 million commitment is a significant investment in the Wije'winen Centre's vision of providing culturally grounded care and support through every stage of life. "Wije'winen is being built as a place of belonging - a place where our people can be surrounded by culture, family, community and care through every stage of life, including at the end of life," said Pam Glode Desrochers, Executive Director of the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Society. "This extraordinary gift from the J&W Murphy Foundation will help us create a space where people can make that journey with dignity, and where the people who love them have a safe, culturally grounded place to gather, care and grieve."
The announcement also recognizes the important role of Elders, families and community members in shaping approaches to end-of-life care that reflect Mi'kmaw teachings, traditions and relationships. Paulina Meader spoke at Monday's announcement about Elder care, the importance of program support and the opportunity to provide end-of-life care in ways that reflect the community's own cultural understanding and practices.
Now under construction at 1940 Gottingen Street, the more than 75,000-square-foot Wije'winen Centre will provide a permanent home for the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Society and bring together health, housing, cultural, family, youth and community services in the heart of Kjipuktuk.
About the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Society
The Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Society provides culturally grounded programs, services and supports for Indigenous people in Kjipuktuk/Halifax and surrounding communities. The new Wije'winen Centre will create a permanent home for that work and expand opportunities for community gathering, health and wellness, cultural programming, housing supports and connection.
About the J&W Murphy Foundation
Since 2016, the J&W Murphy Foundation has invested in patient-centred hospice and palliative care, grief literacy and family support in hospital, long-term care and community settings.
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