New health strategy in the works for First Nations

Kinistin Saulteaux Nation may have had a large role in the creation of a new Aboriginal health plan for Saskatchewan residents; however, Chief Peter Nippi warns that actions speak louder than words.

“I am tired of engaging in discussions. Action needs to take form,” said Chief Nippi of Kinistin, two weeks following the release of the Aboriginal Health Strategy-a combined effort between the Saskatoon Health Region (SHR), Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. (CUMFI) and Kinistin Salteaux Nation.

Nippi said the new health strategy, which outlines recommendations to improve the health of Aboriginal members, is a positive initiative that helped facilitate a collaborative approach to resolving the concerns of local Aboriginal people. However, he said the two-year process to create the 74-page document would have been a waste if no changes are made.

“The health system disrespects who we are as Indigenous peoples,” said Chief Nippi of Saskatoon’s current health system. He added that several of his members have also experienced racism when they are patients at city hospitals.

Developing an anti-racism strategy along with aligning traditional healing methods with the current health care system are two of the recommendations made by the Aboriginal Health Council, who oversaw the creation of the strategy.

Ensuring medical staff are familiar with the customs and traditions of Aboriginals is a priority for Chief Nippi.

He recalled an incident in 2005 when he brought his mother to a Saskatoon hospital and she was denied her bottle of holy water and a few other items that Nippi said the staff were unaware of their importance.

“We need cross-cultural awareness,” said Nippi.

The partnership began in April 2008, where SHR sought feedback on the health services they provide. First Nations and Métis Elders were specifically involved through the “Gathering Wisdom Elders” forum held in November 2009.

The Aboriginal Health Strategy is a branch of the SHR strategic plan that was released in January 2006. One of the directions is to work in partnership to improve Aboriginal health.

“I am proud to have been part of this journey over the last two years,” said the vice-president of community service at SHR, in a press release. “I am also excited that the good work our health region has been striving to accomplish can now be strengthened and enriched by the contributions of First Nations and Métis people.”

Between January and July 2009, 34 community focus groups were created and feedback was received from 671 Aboriginal people.

Kinistin Salteaux Nation is technically outside of the SHR jurisdiction; however a large number of their members reside off reserve in the city of Saskatoon. In order for SHR to receive funding as part of an Aboriginal Health Transitions Fund grant to help support the strategy, they had to align with a community that they had prior “successful ventures” with. Both CUMFI and Kinistin had worked with the SHR on a fitness program in the past.
Nippi said one of his motivations for his community contributing to the health strategy was his passion for advocating the First Nations treaty right to health services.

The Kinistin reserve is located 39-kilometers southeast of Melfort, Saskatchewan. There are more than 980 registered band members.

SHR is the largest health region in the province, serving 291,000 residents in more than 100 cities, towns, villages and First Nation communities.