The Chiefs Committee on Heath is a national
body that is mandated by Chiefs and Assembly to look at a whole
range of issues, such as health policy, transfer, residential
schools, diabetes and AIDS/HIV.
First Nations Health Technicians is
a cross-country body that meets four to five times a year to
discuss health issues and make recommendations to the Chiefs
Committee for action.
The AFN Health Secretariat has support
staff that coordinates information, activities, arranges meetings,
distributes information and monitors government activities and
initiatives. The AFN has been trying to promote a national Aboriginal
Health Network with Pauktuutit, the Metis National Council, NIICHRO
and the Aboriginal Nurses Association to exchange information
and work in partnership on different projects.
Residential Schools - The AFN is currently lobbying for a full federal
public inquiry on the impact of Residential schooling. They are
also developing a national healing strategy and organizing a
national gathering at the end of 1997 or early 1998. The national
strategy is put in place by the Chiefs Committee on Health in
cooperation with regional groups.
The Royal Commission
on Aboriginal Peoples - the report
expresses the need for the training of at least 10,000 health
care workers over the next 10-20 years and reassesses Health
Canada’s policy direction with respect to transfer and cuts.
Because of the magnitude of the report, the Chiefs and Assembly
have established a working group to look at the whole report
and another working group to look at the short-and long-term
issues in the report. A preliminary assessment of the report
is available.
Diabetes - The Chiefs Committee on Health has been given
the mandate to develop a national First Nations Working Group
on diabetes to strengthen local and regional activities for community-based
support programs and prevention education. They have been working
with the National Diabetes Association and community groups to
consider national strategies.
AIDS/HIV - AFN is working with the Canadian Aboriginal
AIDS network to discuss national promotion and campaigns for
awareness on AIDS/HIV and they have recently developed some fact
sheets on AIDS/HIV.
Health Models - It is the AFN’s position to identify and
make an example of those communities that are dealing with health
in an effective way. They are taking into account comprehensive
community-based services, staff development, sustainable and
flexible funding arrangements and the links between health and
social services. Other elements include respect for local traditions
and ways, utilizing the extended family, identifying local helpers
and developing local skills. The models will be taken from Canada,
the U.S. and New Zealand. The information will be compiled in
a directory that will be available in September 1997.
Health Transfer - In 1986, Treasury Board of Canada authorized
Health Canada to transfer programs and services to the communities.
About 70 per cent of communities are now involved in the transfer
process. To facilitate this process, information will be gathered
from the communities involved and will be made available. The
AFN proposes organizing a conference at the end of this year
to discuss the issue of transfer. The AFN is in the early stages
of developing a checklist to remind communities of key issues
as they discuss transfer and federal legislation to ensure the
continuity of resources over the long term.
Alcohol and Drug Abuse - The AFN has gathered aboriginal-specific alcohol
and drug abuse prevention materials from the U.S. and Canada.
The information will be compiled in a directory geared for parents
and youth to be distributed by August 1997.
Update of National Health
Issues