Métis in British Columbia to benefit from Health Canada’s Aboriginal Health Transition Fund

VANCOUVER (May 14, 2009) – Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) President and Minister Responsible for Health Bruce Dumont is pleased to announce the addition of five new staff to the MNBC Ministry of Health. Five Regional Health Coordinators join the team today, funded through Health Canada’s Aboriginal Health Transition Fund, under the Province’s Adaptation Plan.The Regional Health Coordinators are geographically aligned with the five Regional Health Authorities in British Columbia. The part-time Coordinators will work with Métis Chartered Communities, Métis Nation British Columbia and the Health Authorities to establish or further build relationships, increase community capacity and facilitate improved access to existing health programs and services for Métis people across British Columbia.

MNBC President and Minister Responsible for Health Bruce Dumont expressed his excitement for this work, “Métis people in British Columbia have fell between the cracks within the British Columbia healthcare system for many years. This program is the first of its kind for Métis people in BC. Our Regional Health Coordinators will be able to provide much needed support to each of our communities and educate health policy makers about the health status of Métis people in this Province”.

Director of Health Tanya Davoren shared Minister Dumont’s perspective, “Métis Chartered Communities in British Columbia are run by volunteers who work tirelessly to promote Métis history and culture and to develop and administer programs and services. Having paid staff available in the community will greatly increase capacity in each Métis Chartered Community and provide an opportunity for Métis people to play an active part in improving their own health status.”

The Regional Health Coordinators commence their new role today and will be working in communities by next week. The five part-time Regional Health Coordinators join Director of Health Tanya Davoren, Program Assistant Tresley Tourond-Bouvier and Chronic Disease Surveillance Program Manager Dr Peter Hutchinson in the MNBC Ministry of Health.

Métis Nation British Columbia is the representative governing organization of Métis people in British Columbia. MNBC works on behalf of 59 445 (2006 Census) Métis people in British Columbia. MNBC was created in 1996 and continues to evolve today. MNBC has three levels of Métis Nation governance, thirty-six (36) Métis Chartered Communities, seven (7) Regional Governance Councils, and a provincially elected Board of Directors. Since 2003 the MNBC leadership has implemented a number of institutions of governance including the Senate, Métis Nation Governing Assembly, Youth representation, and Women’s representation.

Please visit www.mnbc.ca to learn more about Métis Nation British Columbia.

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For further information please contact:

Tanya Davoren
Director of Health and Sport
Métis Nation British Columba
1-800-940-1150
tdavoren@mnbc.ca