GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA AND SASKATCHEWAN SUPPORT SEVEN PROJECTS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF FIRST NATIONS AND MÉTIS PEOPLE

Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health and Saskatchewan Health Minister Don McMorris today announced support for seven new projects in Saskatchewan aimed at improving the health of First Nations and Métis people.

"This government is pleased to be working with Saskatchewan, Aboriginal organizations and regional health authorities to improve health service delivery to First Nations and Métis communities in the province," said Aglukkaq. "The projects being announced today will help meet targeted health needs in a culturally appropriate manner."

"Our government is pleased to support projects that will help address the serious health care challenges in Aboriginal communities," McMorris said. "This is an important part of a long-term partnership that will lead to better integration of services and improved health outcomes for Aboriginal people."

Through its Aboriginal Health Transition Fund (AHTF), the Government of Canada is investing a total of $13.8 million in Saskatchewan over five years (2005/06-2009/10) to improve the health of the nearly 142,000 First Nations and Métis people living in the province.

Nearly $2.4 million of this amount is being allocated to support the following seven new projects:

• $558,000 to the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan for adapting the provincial health system to better meet the needs of Métis people.
• $212,800 to the Kelsey Trail Health Authority to enhance mental health, alcohol and drug addiction services, and better meet the needs of Cumberland House community residents.
• $163,810 to the Sunrise Health Region for maternal child health initiatives for First Nations residents of the Kamsack area.
• $317,000 to the Prairie North Health Region, BTC Indian Health Services, Inc., the Meadow Lake Tribal Council and numerous First Nations to develop inter-organizational services teams on mental health and addictions. The funding will also be used to improve communications and joint staff training.
• $392,000 to the Regina-Qu'Appelle Health Region to ensure culturally-appropriate home care services are provided to Aboriginal people.
• $368,000 to the Regina-Qu'Appelle Health Region for the Métis Community Health Co-ordinator Initiative, which improves access by Métis people to health services.
• $377,000 to the Kinistin First Nation, the Saskatoon Health Region and the Central Urban Métis Federation to coordinate health services through a formal health council and secretariat.

Regional health authority representatives worked with First Nations and Métis organizations to develop the proposals, which were then submitted to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health for review. The ministry consulted with an independent panel of experts before deciding which projects should receive support through the AHTF.

"Health care providers must work with First Nations and Metis people if we are to make progress in improving the health status of Saskatchewan's Aboriginal people," First Nations and Métis Relations Minister June Draude said. "These projects will establish important partnerships that will remove barriers to First Nations and Métis people receiving health care services and make the services delivered more culturally relevant."

"I would like to congratulate the First Nations leadership and regional health authorities involved in establishing partnerships that will improve health outcomes for First Nations of Saskatchewan," Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Vice-Chief Glen Pratt said. "From prenatal support to home care services, these investments will further adapt the provincial health system to meet the needs of First Nations children, youth, elders and families."

"The future of Saskatchewan will be predicated on the health of every citizen of this province, which includes the Métis," Métis Nation - Saskatchewan president Robert Doucette said. "We are pleased to work with the provincial government on this important initiative which will allow meaningful input and action on policy development and the delivery of health services by Métis citizens for Métis citizens in the province of Saskatchewan."

The AHTF is a five-year initiative (2004 to 2010) which seeks to improve the integration of Federal, Provincial and Territorial funded health systems, adapt existing health programs and services to better serve the needs of Aboriginal peoples (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), improve access to health services, and increase the participation of Aboriginal peoples in the design, delivery, and evaluation of health programs and services.

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For more information, contact:

Karen Hill
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083

Health Canada
Phone: 613-957-2983

Josée Bellemare
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Phone: 613-957-0200