AMC Challenges Data Accuracy in Recent CIHI Report, Advocates for Equitable Healthcare Solutions

Press Release

August 22, 2023

Treaty One Territory, Manitoba – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) questions data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). A recent report from the CIHI on the national healthcare system fails to provide an accurate representation of data related to First Nations.

The CIHI’s snapshot covered four priority areas: primary care access, health worker supply, mental health services, and modernizing health information systems. However, Manitoba’s provincial data and Statistics Canada data lack specific First Nations indicators, hindering accurate assessments of the healthcare system’s performance for First Nations.

AMC Grand Chief Cathy Merrick emphasized the importance of addressing historical and systemic colonial impacts on data collection and inference. “These legacies have led to significant healthcare disparities among First Nations, creating substantial barriers to accessible and equitable healthcare services. The alarming gap in life expectancy between First Nations compared to other members of society underscores the need for comprehensive solutions.”

The AMC calls for immediate collaboration between federal and provincial bodies, CIHI, First Nations leaders and researchers to collect data responsibly using First Nations-led approaches that respects First Nations’ data sovereignty. Identifying core issues and crafting tailored solutions is vital.

Proposals by AMC and First Nations include:

• Enhancing data collection collaboratively with First Nations for accurate reflection of their healthcare needs.
• Enacting meaningful, First Nations-led health strategies with cultural competency training.
• Establishing permanent community-based health centers/mobile units for accessible care.
• Allocating equitable resources for tailored healthcare solutions in Manitoba.
• Inclusion of First Nations in negotiations for health agreements.

These solutions target urgent, short-term needs and long-term systemic changes. Collaboration ensures culturally appropriate, effective solutions.

“Engaging First Nations in planning promotes respect, appropriateness and effectiveness. Collaborative approaches strengthen trust, understanding, and equitable healthcare partnerships,” concluded Grand Chief Merrick.

For more information, please contact:

Communications Team
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Email: media@manitobachiefs.com

About the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs

The AMC was formed in 1988 by the Chiefs in Manitoba to advocate on issues that commonly affect First Nations in Manitoba. AMC is an authorized representative of 62 of the 63 First Nations in Manitoba with a total of more than 151,000 First Nation citizens in the province, accounting for approximately 12 percent of the provincial population. AMC represents a diversity of Anishinaabe (Ojibway), Nehetho / Ininew (Cree), Anishininew (Ojibwe-Cree), Denesuline (Dene) and Dakota Oyate (Dakota) peoples.

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