ABORIGINAL HEALTH ISSUES TO BE DISCUSSED IN WINNIPEG

First Nations and Métis Relations Minister June Draude will be in Winnipeg on Monday and Tuesday to attend a National Aboriginal Health Working Summit.

"We have a young and growing First Nations and Métis population in Canada," Draude said. "We want to work together with First Nations and Métis people and the federal government to improve the overall health of Aboriginal people and to ensure the full participation of Aboriginal people in all health occupations. These health improvements will ensure that First Nations and Métis people are better able to benefit from Saskatchewan's current economic prosperity."

"It will take strong partnerships to address the significant health challenges facing First Nations and Métis people," Health Minister Don McMorris said. "This summit is a good opportunity to build those partnerships. We want to involve First Nations and Métis people in the development and delivery of health care services."

Minister Draude is attending the two-day event with representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and the Métis Nation - Saskatchewan. Other Ministers from across the country as well as First Nations and Métis leaders will also be attending.

Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Vice-Chief Guy Lonechild sees this summit, as an opportunity to re-affirm and re-vitalize the commitment for the well-being of our people. Our physical, emotional, traditional and spiritual health of the individual, including children, the family, and the community will not be realized unless there is meaningful transformation of the existing health care system.

"I firmly believe, we can achieve these results through our tripartite agreement with the Federal Government and the Province of Saskatchewan," Vice-Chief Lonechild said. "We are encouraged by the Federal Budget for a more co-ordinated approach on a more responsive Health Service Delivery System for First Nations."

"The combined efforts of the Métis Nation and the provincial and federal governments are needed to ensure that Métis people and their health issues are given the attention they require to close the existing gaps between Métis and non-Aboriginal health care," Métis Nation - Saskatchewan president Robert Doucette said. "Healthy Métis families lead to healthy Métis communities, which in turn lead to a healthy province."

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For more information, contact:

Alethea Foster
First Nations and Métis Relations
Regina
Phone: 306-787 5701
Email: afoster@fnmr.gov.sk.ca