Health is a Treaty Right

Press Release

February 26, 2025

Joint Statement from Chief Joey Hunter, Chief Sylvia Koostachin-Metatawabin,Chief Hosea Wesley, Chief Elizabeth Kataquapit, and Chief Peter Wesley

As leaders of our respective First Nations, we stand united in reaffirming that health is a treaty right, and we remain committed to ensuring that our communities receive the highest standard of care. Access to quality, culturally safe, and equitable healthcare is not a privilege—it is a treaty right, an inherent right and a fiduciary obligation that the federal and provincial governments must uphold.

We have heard the many concerns raised by our members, including those expressed on social media. Please know that we are not sitting idle—we are actively working to address these issues and move forward in a positive way. Our communities deserve healthcare that is accessible, inclusive, and reflective of our realities, and we will continue to push for the improvements our people deserve.

We are committed to working with Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA) to improve our relationship and ensure that the voices of our communities are heard. It is essential that WAHA remains accountable to our people and responsive to the needs of our communities. We expect WAHA to improve communication, service delivery, and transparency to ensure our members receive the quality care they deserve.

We will also be working closely with Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) to examine the challenges our members face when accessing healthcare services in Moosonee, Timmins, Kingston, and other locations where they are transferred for care. NIHB programs, as administered through WAHA and Ininew Patient Services (IPS), must be reviewed to ensure that our members receive the proper medical travel support, accommodations, and essential services they require. These challenges must be addressed to ensure that our members receive the support and services they need, no matter where they are.

Our advocacy efforts focus on:

• Ensuring better communication and transparency between NIHB, WAHA, IPS, and our communities.
• Working with NIHB, WAHA, and IPS to improve medical travel, accommodations, and access to services.
• Ensuring WAHA is accountable to our people and responsive to the needs of our communities.

We acknowledge that there are many challenges, but we want our members to know that we are committed to fighting for better healthcare, better services, and better outcomes for our people. We will continue engaging in meaningful discussions with WAHA, as well as the federal and provincial governments, to push for real change.

We ask for the continued support of our communities as we work together toward solutions. This is about more than just healthcare—this is about upholding our treaty rights, our dignity, and our future.

IHT5