Improving First Nation Health System in Ontario Top Priority for Chiefs in Ontario Province-wide Health Forum

TORONTO— The Chiefs in Ontario are ready to host the Working Together: To Strengthen the Circle of Wellness Health Forum for First Nation communities from across Ontario starting on February 24, 2009 at the Courtyard Marriott in Toronto, Ontario.The three-day forum will enable First Nation health professionals and community service providers to engage with government through information updates such as the Regional Health Survey, the survey of choice for First Nations in Canada. The Chiefs of Ontario plan to showcase data at the Forum and encourage Ontario First Nations to participate. Additionally, there will be an update on the Ontario First Nation Public Health Project: a tripartite initiative intended to guide the development of a “made in Ontario” approach for Public Health services for First Nations in Ontario.

“We’re ensuring communities have the information they need so they can formulate programs that are geared for them,” says Regional Chief Angus Toulouse. Toulouse adds, “This forum will demonstrate how we can work together to build those relationships First Nations have with government.”

The Minister of Health and Long Term Care David Caplan will address the Health Forum on relationship building with First Nation leadership in the province. In addition to the information updates to programs and services, several new health initiatives will be launched by the Chiefs of Ontario. They include:

– The Ontario First Nations Integrated Health Promotion Strategy, a new initiative set to promote healthy eating, active living and healthy smoke-free communities will be dedicated to the late Howard Pamajewon. Pamajewon, a former Chief from the Anishinabek community of Shawanaga lived an active lifestyle and promoted healthy living, sports and culture. Family members Ann and Bella Pamajewon will attend the launch of this new initiative.

– The Chiefs of Ontario Injury Prevention Program will launch a new Child Car Safety campaign with several seat belt check sites in communities throughout the province, and a Child Car Safety Poster and DVD campaign.

– The Aboriginal Health Human Resources Initiative will announce a new Health Care Role Model campaign. This campaign geared to First Nation students, will feature several First Nation Health professionals, para-professionals and students from across Ontario in a poster and web campaign.

“We are encouraging communities to participate in this forum. We aim to gather input from this forum to ensure that we continue to provide a solid base for program planning and resources,” says Regional Chief Angus Toulouse. “We are providing First Nation Health directors and health professionals with the opportunity to engage and access health information.”

The Chiefs in Ontario, comprising the 133 First Nations in Ontario, is a political forum and secretariat for collective decision-making, action and advocacy.

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For more information or interviews with the Regional Chief, please contact:
Kathleen Pilcher, Chiefs of Ontario
807-626-9339 or 416-452-2474
kathleen @ coo.org (no spaces)