The federal and provincial governments joined the Saskatchewan Indian Nations in signing a Memorandum of Understanding on First Nations Health and Well-Being on August 19.

Canada’s health minister Tony Clement, Saskatchewan’s health minister Don McMorris, Chief Lawrence Joseph and Vice-Chief Guy Lonechild sealed the deal in Fort Qu’Appelle to raise aboriginal health standards to the level of the rest of society. The need for this agreement is a sad reminder that some among our aboriginal population have fallen behind.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will establish a formal partnership to improve the coordination of health programming, reduce administrative duplication, better adapt programs to the needs of First Nations, and address the gaps in health services for First Nations people.

While the MOU is not legally binding, it is designed to accomplish several things. It will help to improve the health and well-being of First Nations people and eliminate the disparity in health status between First Nations and other Saskatchewan residents. It will adapt and better integrate health and wellness programs by eliminating duplication, closing gaps, improving co-ordination and improving First Nations participation in the health system. The MOU will also establish a coordinated three-way partnership for improving the health of First Nations people and their communities in Saskatchewan. The agreement is intended to launch a planning process to develop a 10-year First Nations health and wellness plan.

Vice-Chief Guy Lonechild assures both governments that his people are receptive to the agreement: “We believe First Nations are ready to take control and ownership of a more holistic and forward-thinking health and wellness plan that meets the needs of our communities and provides opportunities for our people in all sectors of a health care system. Most importantly, this historic evolution of our Treaty relationship will help to provide critical health care to First Nation children, youth and families first, providing clearly, a more seamless and culturally appropriate service. Our traditional medicines and approach to wellness must continue to drive change in today’s health care system.”

An inter-governmental steering committee has been established to oversee the implementation of the MOU. It will identify priority areas for collaboration and develop performance indicators to measure progress.

This federal government is working to shore up lapses in health policy and advocacy for aboriginals that have gone lacking in the past decade. We have witnessed a steady decline in health strategies and aboriginal policy, and we are taking action to introduce innovative solutions in the short- and long-term. This government believes the people of Canada deserve nothing less.

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The audio version of Garry's September 8, 2008 op-ed column can be heard by clicking here