Indigenous population says resolution for lack of confidence easily solved by representation – PortageOnline.com
May 12 2023
How do you resolve the hesitation First Nations people have with responding to race-based data requests at point of entry in health centres? First Nations Mental Wellness Coordinator Scott Thorsteinson says it’s quite simple.
“If there’s any process or program that includes First Nation or Indigenous people, there has to be representation,” says Thorsteinson. “Otherwise, you’re perpetuating a patriarchal relationship and ultimately perpetuating colonialism.”
Manitoba is the first province in Canada to make these efforts to try to more accurately identify racism in the health care system, so that First Nations people receive the same quality of care that anybody else does. Thorsteinson says more direct involvement of First Nations people is required.
He explains consultation should also be made with First Nation leaders in or around Portage when it comes to policies such as the gathering of race-based data.
