NAN to Participate in Panel Discussion on Indigenous Health Priorities

Press Release

OTTAWA, ON (June 7, 2016): Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler will participate in a panel discussion on Indigenous health priorities including the implementation of the seven health-related Calls to Action from the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission during a national health conference in Ottawa this morning.

“Closing the gaps in health outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities was identified by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as a key recommendation to begin improving health outcomes for our people,” said NAN Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, who represents 49 First Nations across northern Ontario. “We need to move away from the status quo of Indigenous health issues being defined from the bureaucratic perspective, which has continually failed, to one where we are active partners in the development and implementation of strategies that meet the needs of our communities.”

On Monday, conference delegates voted overwhelmingly to choose the Calls to Action as their top priority for discussion during this morning’s Great Canadian Healthcare Debate plenary session; the second and third choices were patient safety and health innovation.

NAN and representatives of the Sioux Lookout Area Chiefs Committee on Health declared a Health and Public Health Emergency in February 2016 to address urgent and long-standing health issues caused by the inequality of health and health care services in NAN First Nations. The declaration includes immediate, intermediate and long-term action strategies and calls on the governments of Ontario and Canada to take immediate action to address this crisis.

Themed Pathways to Innovation and Change, the two-day conference (June 6-7) is hosted by the Canadian College of Health Leaders and HealthCareCAN. Approximately 700 health leaders from across Canada are expected to attend.

More information is available at: www.cchl-ccls.ca/site/nhlc

For more information please contact: Tamara Piche, Communications Officer – Nishnawbe Aski Nation (807) 625-4906 or cell (807) 621-5549 or by email tpiche@nan.on.ca.

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