Opportunity to Raise Profile of FASD and Work Being Done Across Jurisdictions

YELLOWKNIFE (9 September, 2008) – The Northwest Territories Minister of Health and Social Services, Honourable Sandy Lee today joined her colleagues in the Canada Northwest Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (CNFASD) Partnership in recognizing the importance of September 9 in raising the awareness of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in the jurisdictions.The CNFASD partnership is an alliance of seven jurisdictions, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon, that works towards the development and promotion of an interprovincial/territorial approach to prevention, intervention, care and support of individuals affected by FASD. In addition, the partnership funds the Canada Northwest FASD Research Network, the only research network working in this area in the northern and western regions of Canada.

“Today, each minister responsible for FASD in the partnership is taking the opportunity to speak out about the work being done in the area of FASD,” said Minister Lee. “United, we can deliver a strong message about the importance of continuing our focus on FASD. The research network that we fund is providing us with some excellent results after only three years and we are making inroads in gaining recognition for our work by the federal government.”

At the local level, Minister Lee said much work is also being done.

In addition to our involvement with the Canada Northwest FASD Partnership, the NWT Department of Health and Social Services is developing an NWT FASD Strategy including a five year action plan. Both documents take an integrated approach and are being developed in close conjunction with regional partners and stakeholders. The completion of the Strategy will provide a base from which to deliver programming and will lead to more strategic and coordinated service delivery across the NWT.

In addition, we are working collaboratively with a number of partners such as Health Canada and NWT community governments and organizations to ensure the delivery of community based programs that can better respond to the local needs of children and their families. Last year in the NWT, the Department supported eleven (11) community based projects targeting FASD including, awareness workshops in the Sahtu Region, life skills sessions for affected youth in Yellowknife, a Family Outreach Support Worker in Fort. Simpson, and a Traditional Parenting Train-the-Trainer course in the Beaufort Delta Region.

The NWT is also partnering with the Yukon and the Nunavut governments in the development of pan-territorial mass media initiatives. As part of a multi-year agreement, the three northern territories are working together to use shared mass media campaigns to have a stronger, more relevant impact on northern residents and the health choices they make. The FASD campaign is one example of how work will be done collaboratively in this way.

There is much to do in the NWT to help children and families affected by this disability. FASD has life long implications and affects all areas of functioning.

“As ministers we agree that individually and collectively, we have done a lot of good. but we know that we can achieve more by working in partnership with other jurisdictions by sharing resources and information and creating a stronger voice at the National level,” said Minster Lee
The partnership hosts international conferences throughout the west; as well as educational symposiums for individual jurisdictions.

“We will continue to lead the way in this area and stand proud about the work that we have done and continue to do,” said Minister Lee.

For more information, contact:

Brad Poulter
Cabinet Communications
Office of the Premier
Government of the Northwest Territories
(867) 669-2302