Health Transformation Team now booking engagement sessions
By Jesse Johnson
ANISHINABEK NATION HEAD OFFICE— The Anishinabek Nation’s Health Transformation Team is now booking engagement sessions with Anishinabek Nation member First Nations Chiefs and Councils. The Team is holding sessions in-person or through Zoom.
Thus far, two First Nations have met with the Team, with another meeting happening at the beginning of June. Meetings involving members are expected to take place in the future.
The Health Transformation’s Engagement and Working Group Coordinator, Lisa Restoule-Brazier, has been reaching out to Anishinabek First Nations to set up engagement sessions in order to discuss a possible health system change that would build a strong foundation for communities to exercise control over the design and delivery of their own programs and services.
The Health Transformation Team has been gaining momentum over the past two years. So far, they have recruited more staff; explored Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping; organized and attended tripartite meetings; formed a working group; designed and launched a website; and, organized a strategic planning session. The Team has also been collaborating with other Provincial Territorial Organizations to share best practices.
The Team plans to recruit more members for the Working Group; explore additional project funding; form an expert panel; draft health laws; develop committees; hold Regional meetings; and, organize a conference. They are also in the process of hiring a Negotiator to join the team.
The Working Group has representation from 24 Anishinabek Nation First Nations so far. There have been five meetings, with more meetings scheduled on a monthly basis. The first in-person Working Group meeting will take place on July 6 and 7, in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.
Many Anishinabek First Nations have been advocating for greater control over their health and wellness, consistent with the inherent right to self-determination. The Anishinabek First Nation Health Authority (AFNHA) is the entity created by First Nations to accept transfers for health services and then transform them to meet each First Nation’s individual needs and priorities.
In June 2016, the Anishinabek Nation Chiefs-in-Assembly passed a resolution directing the Health Secretariat to begin the process of engaging levels of government to progress with First Nation control of health.
Ongoing meetings between the Anishinabek Nation, federal, and provincial partners have resulted in the development of a joint Memorandum of Understanding that was signed in the Spring of 2018.
In June 2019, an updated resolution was passed by the Chiefs-in-Assembly to support the ongoing work towards health transformation.
The Anishinabek Nation’s goal is to aid their member First Nations in building a system that belongs to them. First Nations will be central to the design and implementation of health services at the community level. Health programs will have more traditional knowledge and traditional practices and medicines available to their community members. Integration of services will result in better services at a lower cost. Community participation in the AFNHA is optional and processes will be established for communities to opt-in or out.
The Health Transformation Working Group is still accepting new members to participate in the development of a new health system by Anishinabek for Anishinabek.
For more information, to book an engagement session, or to inquire on how to become a Working Group member, please contact Lisa Restoule-Brazier via e-mail: Lisa.restoule@anishinabek.ca or contact your First Nation’s Chief and Council or Health Director.
To learn more about the Anishinabek Nation Health Transformation, please visit www.health-transformation.ca.