AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine and Regional Chief Angus Toulouse Congratulate Award-winning First Nations Health Manager

VANCOUVER, Jan. 28 – The National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations and AFN Regional Chief Angus Toulouse, who holds the portfolio for health, congratulated Mr. Tyler White of Siksika First Nation, Alberta, on winning this year’s First Nations Health Manager’s Award of Excellence. Mr. White will be honoured before his peers at a special ceremony tonight, Wednesday January 28, starting at 8:00 pm at the Sheraton Wall Centre in Vancouver.”In his eight years as a Health Manager at the Siksika First Nation, Mr. Tyler White has demonstrated phenomenal leadership. He has modernized health care at the Siksika First Nation by improving access, expanding programming and securing a modern, innovative, state of the art facility, which is a source of pride to his community and a model for other First Nations,” said Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine.

“Mr. Tyler White has led his organization through profound change, tirelessly working to improve health services and the well-being of First Nation’s people. I sincerely congratulate him on his achievements and on winning the First Nations Health Manager’s Award of Excellence,” said AFN Regional Chief Angus Toulouse.

Among his accomplishments, Mr. Tyler White advocated for and oversaw the building of the Siksika Health and Wellness Centre, a modern facility that offers a full range of services, including: public health, home care, chronic disease management, paediatric services, mental health services, crisis response services and a renal outreach program. New dental and optometrist services are being added this year. A number of services are also offered through telehealth technology. Siksika Health was accredited with the Canadian Council for Health services (CCHSA) last year.

Mr. White has also invested in information systems that improve program-level information, as well as the management and flow of patient information to support clinical care. These include clinical office systems and electronic health records, mobile home care applications and digital diagnostic imaging.

Mr. White has also fostered innovation beyond the borders of the Sisksika First Nation, including the building of a new solvent treatment centre that will serve aboriginal youth across Canada. He has also been very dedicated in the development of the First Nations EPI Centre of Alberta strategy.

The First Nations Health Manager’s Award of Excellence raises awareness of the essential role played by First Nations Health Managers in their communities by honouring a manager who has made a significant difference in their community. Winners of this prestigious award are nominated by their peers and selected by the National First Nations Health Managers Advisory Committee.

The award is presented annually at the First Nations Health Managers Forum, which is holding its second National Conference in Vancouver BC. Approximately one thousand Health managers, health professionals and First Nations leaders are attending this year’s forum, which is sponsored, in part, through Health Canada’s Aboriginal Health Human Resources Initiative.

The Assembly of First Nations is the national political organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.

For further information: Karyn Pugliese, Health and Social
Communications, Cell (613) 292-1877, kpugliese@afn.ca