Launch of Northeastern Ontario’s First-Ever Aboriginal Health Care Reconciliation Action Plan

Sept. 21, 2016 – Steps to improve the health care status and patient journey experienced by Aboriginal Northerners began today at a cultural celebration to launch the North East Local Health Integration Network (NE LHIN) Aboriginal Health Care Reconciliation Action Plan.

With an opening prayer by Elder Hilda Nadjiwan and drumming by the Young Thunderbird Group, the event at Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre in Sudbury marked an important milestone in efforts to address health disparities for Aboriginal people living in Northeastern Ontario.

The need for a reconciliation plan was identified through LHIN engagements with Aboriginal Northerners and advice from the NE LHIN’s Local Aboriginal Health Committee (LAHC), an advisory committee to its Board of Directors. The plan reflects the voices of Aboriginal Northerners and includes an environmental scan of population health and existing services across the region.

“It is our vision to support the healing process of our communities in order for our future generations to never have to suffer from uncontrolled poor health and well-being,” said Gloria Daybutch, Chair of the NE LHIN’s LAHC.

The strategies of the plan are developed around the directions of the cultural medicine wheel – Opportunities (East), Relationships (South), Knowledge and Understanding (West), and Sustainability and Evaluation (North) – a widely recognized approach that represents wholeness, balance and interconnectedness.

The plan is aligned with the priorities of the NE LHIN’s Integrated Health Service Plan for 2016-
2019, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report (which includes 94 calls to action to aid
in the reconciliation of the legacy of Canada’s residential school system), and Ontario’s First
Nations Health Action Plan.

“This Reconciliation Action Plan is a starting point on a journey to ensure more equitable health
care services for Northeastern Ontario’s Aboriginal people,” said Louise Paquette, NE LHIN
Chief Executive Officer. “Just as we recognize that we cannot overcome decades of
challenges, we know that we need to deliver on a vision for the path forward, and we must take
these important first steps together.”

FACTS
The NE LHIN will implement the actions outlined in the plan over the next three years, in
partnership with its LAHC. The actions aim to improve the health care status and patient
journey experienced by Aboriginal Northerners. Some of the actions outlined in the plan
include:

1. Supporting increased access to traditional healing programs.
2. Strengthening mental health and addiction services and ensuring Aboriginal health
   care leaders are helping to lead the work needed while having the opportunity to
   provide their input into the changes required.
3. Continuing to collaborate with all levels of government to minimize gaps in services
   for Aboriginal Northerners.
4. Encouraging health service providers to make their physical environments more
   welcoming to Aboriginal people.
5. Tying actions to metrics so that the NE LHIN can continually evaluate the impact of
   the work.
6. Developing a plan to ensure cultural competency safety training for NE LHIN staff,
   board members, and NE LHIN-funded health service providers.

• To read the complete plan, visit www.nelhin.on.ca or click on this link.
• 11% of Northerners identify as Aboriginal/First Nations/Métis.
• The NE LHIN’s LAHC was established in 2009 to advise the LHIN on health service
  priorities within Aboriginal communities. Its members include senior Aboriginal health care leaders from across Northeastern Ontario.
• In general, Aboriginal people experience a lower health status than other Northerners. The primaryhealth conditions experienced by Aboriginal Northerners, include:

1. Higher rates of medically complex chronic health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and
mental health disorders.
2. Physical aging at a younger age due to multiple chronic conditions.
3. Higher cases amongst Aboriginal youth of mental health issues, chronic illnesses and poor
oral health.
4. High rates of suicide and suicide ideation.
5. Over-representation as clients in addiction services across Northeastern Ontario.

• Every year, the NE LHIN invests more than $39 million to deliver health care services to
  Aboriginal people living in Northeastern Ontario, and holds accountability agreements with
  35 Aboriginal providers.
• “Listen to Gloria Daybutch, Chair of the North East
  LHIN’s Local Aboriginal Health Committee talk
  about the importance of reconciliation and how you
  can become involved and be part of this shared
  journey towards reconciliation”

For more information: Contact Katerine Moyer, Project Coordinator at 705-840-2215 or
Katerine.moyer@lhins.on.ca

NT5