Treaty 6 women gather

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Once a year, Aboriginal women from the Treaty 6 area come together to share information and concerns with fellow delegates. The conference, "Preparing for the New Millennium," was hosted by the Advisory Council of Treaty 6 Women and it focused largely on the maintenance of First Nation treaty rights. It was held Feb. 6 to 8 at Edmonton's Ramada Inn and was attended by people from 34 of the province's 44 reserves.

At issue again this year were health services, continuing problems associated with Bill C-31 and First Nation memberships, as well as housing needs, social service programs and education.

The passing of Bill 11 remains a sore spot for a lot of women in that the new legislation lends support to for-profit clinics and hospitals and some fear it could lead to increased medical costs and lengthened waiting periods for treatment.

A delegate scolded Indian Affairs representatives at the conference over the quality and extent of health care for First Nations people. "I think we should have the best medical care in Canada," she stated.

Another delegate questioned why there aren't "more people sitting in your positions" as supervisors and directors of programs. The question went unanswered.

Not to be overlooked was the realm of traditional medicine and practitioners. When asked about the rights of First Nations people to call upon the services of traditional healers, a Health Canada spokesman affirmed that there is "some flexibility to use the community wellness funding."

In general, though, there is concern in the area of liability. "We can only pay for people who are licenced, who are governed by a regulatory body," he added.

An increasing concern was apparent regarding HIV and AIDS in the Aboriginal community.

Dr. Wadieh Yacoub informed his audience that, "In Edmonton, in 1998, 25 per cent of the new cases at the HIV Clinic were Aboriginal, while less than four per cent of the total population of Edmonton is Aboriginal."

When one delegate expressed concern that there has not been sufficient HIV awareness offered at community levels, a Native health provider, Rose Martial, spoke up saying; "I'd like to see more workers on the street, not on the tenth floor of offices."

Speaking for Wabasca Elder Rita Auger, another delegate asked the crowd whether it supports a review of the Feather of Hope, a local organization that offers HIV/AIDS programming.

Dr. Yacoub responded that " the wheels are in motion."

Gambling sometimes affects health and the general well-being of First Nation people.

Frank Large, community liaison for Treaty 6, a former NADAAP worker and one of the few males at the conference, addressed the gathering to explain a disturbing discovery he has made, and he quoted some Nechi Institute research: "that the people who most abuse drugs and gambling are women."

He acknowledged that this happens to be a concern that is receiving more attention today. For example a gambler's anonymous program was developed by the Poundmaker's Lodge and Nechi Institute in St. Albert.