A rough sketch of the conference logo

Plans for a national Aboriginal Injury Prevention Conference in June 2004 are underway! On March 30, 2003, a conference-planning meeting took place in Winnipeg that brought together frontline workers from Aboriginal communities, researchers, policy makers and persons/agencies specifically involved in injury prevention and control.
NIICHRO is playing a major role as organizer of this event and works under the direction of a National Steering Committee of
the National First Nations and Inuit Injury Prevention Working Group (NFNIIPWG), a formally recognized body whose activities are funded by Health Canada. The following is a list of just some of the participant organizations that attended this meeting:

-First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB)
-National First Nations and Inuit Injury Prevention Working Group (NFNIIPWG)
-Alberta Centre for Injury Control and
Research (ACICR)
-National Indian and Inuit Community Health Representatives Organization (NIICHRO)
-Transport Canada

Major decisions taken regarding the conference are
outlined below:

Conference theme:
Towards Community Action on Aboriginal Injuries

Date:
June 9-12, 2004

Place:
Winnipeg Convention Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Major goals:
1. Promote awareness and action on injury among the Aboriginal population of Canada.

2. Support networking and development of
working linkages between Aboriginal and
non-Aboriginal practitioners and organizations.

Solicitor General of Canada
IMPACT Manitoba
SAFEKIDS Canada
St. Michael’s Hospital

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Note: The NIICHRO Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday, June 12 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm in the Main Hall, Winnipeg Convention Centre.

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Framework for Workshops and Training Modules:

More than 20 themes will be available within four broad areas, such as the ‘Conceptual Framework’ that is used by the National First Nations and Inuit Injury Prevention Working Group (NFNIIPWG):

a. Injury Data and Surveillance – Communities have expressed the need for a standardized system for collecting community-based injury data. Although there is significant data available on a national and regional level, it does not necessarily correspond to what is occurring in individual communities. Therefore, it is recognized that there is a need for national, regional, provincial and community data. The Conference 2004 aims to give people the tools to locate data and assist in interpreting it.

b. Research – While there is a significant body of
research on injury, research challenges remain in many areas that the Conference intends to shed light on. Some topics include: What is the economic burden of intentional and unintentional injuries? Who is at risk for particular types of injuries? How can you make research work for you? How can research funds be accessed?

c. Capacity Building – In order to equip Aboriginal
communities to develop injury prevention
programming, an important aspect is knowledge acquisition through the formation of strategic links with leading injury prevention organizations and experts.
The Conference proposes to offer training workshops on topics such as ‘Injury Prevention 101’, ‘Injury Prevention Best Practices’, ‘Evaluation Methods’, ‘Regional Experiences – Sharing Stories’ as well as offering training certificate courses.

d. Communication – An important part of communication is the sharing of success stories, giving basic information on injury prevention, background information on working within the ‘Conceptual Framework’ and information on specific programs such as the ‘Buckle Up Program’.

Keep tuned in to In Touch magazine or the NIICHRO website for additional information on the developments of the conference.