Creating Partnerships for Health Promotion in Aboriginal Communities SMARTRISK Learning Series November 22, 2007 SMARTRISK Learning Series November 22, 2007

Why Are we Here?  OHPRS 2004 Needs Assessment  Aboriginal Awareness Raising

Key Aspects of Report  Aboriginal People  Aboriginal World View  Aboriginal Health Priorities  Health Promotion Material  Building an Effective Aboriginal Network

Aboriginal Peoples in Ontario Who make up the Aboriginal People in Ontario?

First Nation  60 Distinct Nations in Canada  14 Distinct Nations In Ontario  133 First Nations  First Nation Population: 131,500 in Ontario

How many First Nation cultures can you identify?

First Nation Political Structure  134 First Nation’s in Ontario  5 Regional Political Territorial Organizations  1 Regional Coordination Organization  1 National Coordination Organization

Chiefs of Ontario Independent First Nations Assoc. of Iroquois & Allied Indians Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Council Treaty #3 Union of Ontario Indians First Nation Political Structure

Inuit  45,000 Inuit People in Canada  1,375 in Ontario

Inuit Political Structure  Primarily located in northern Canada north of the 60th parallel  Presence primarily in Ottawa  No Provincial Inuit Organization  1 National Coordination Office

Métis  48,350 in Ontario

Métis Political Structure  Twenty-four Community Councils  Nine Ontario Regional Offices  Métis Nation of Ontario  Métis National Council

MNO Governance Overview

Urban Aboriginal People  Estimated % of the Aboriginal population reside in urban centres  Serviced by the National Association of Friendship Centres  1 Regional Coordinating Friendship Centre  Twenty-seven Friendship Centres

Map of Friendship Centres

Health Status Royal Commission on Aboriginal People (1996) Regional Health Survey (2002)

Report Considerations  Inuit – population in Ontario does not provide sufficient information to be included in this summary  Métis - share similar socio- economic and health profile as other Aboriginal peoples. There has not been a comprehensive health study for the Métis People.

Aboriginal Health Status “Factors contributing to ill health of Aboriginal peoples stem not from bio-medical factors, but from social economic and political factors” RCAP

Aboriginal Health Status The Deeper Issue

Aboriginal Health Key Highlight “Non-Aboriginal service agencies and institutions …., undertake a systematic examination to determine how they can encourage and support development of Aboriginal health & improve appropriateness and effectiveness of mainstream services to Aboriginal peoples and engage Aboriginal communities in such an examination” RCAP

Aboriginal Health Key Highlight  Holism  Equity  Control  Cultural Competency

Aboriginal Health Promotions Where/How do Aboriginal peoples currently access health promotion resources?

Aboriginal Health Promotions Can the current process be improved upon?

Aboriginal Health Promotions Currently, there are three approaches being utilized

Aboriginal Health Promotions An external process based on a set of goals and objectives

Aboriginal Health Promotions

The Second: A collaborative approach

Aboriginal Health Promotions

A Third Approach

Adaptation

Aboriginal Health Promotions Is there even an interest in the Aboriginal community for support by Ontario Public Health?

Building a Supportive Aboriginal Network “It is a great deal easier to reject the ideas and aspirations of people (agencies) with whom we have never shaken hands, with whom we have never laughed together over a joke, or with whom we have never sat down to a shared meal.” Mayor of Kamloops, BC “It is a great deal easier to reject the ideas and aspirations of people (agencies) with whom we have never shaken hands, with whom we have never laughed together over a joke, or with whom we have never sat down to a shared meal.” Mayor of Kamloops, BC

Next Steps A System Level Strategy

Goals To increase OHPRS capacity to effectively serve Aboriginal populations, given the system’s resources and capacity

To recommend strategies to encourage train-the-trainer programs, the engagement of volunteers and health promoters from Aboriginal communities, and the development of effective methods and approaches for outreach and service delivery Goals

Objective #1 To increase awareness of Aboriginal culture and health issues

Objective #2 To increase OHPRS capacity to effectively serve Aboriginal populations, given the system’s resources and capacity.

Objective #3 To promote effective methods and approaches for outreach and service delivery

A Strategy The Two Row Wampum

A Strategy Education & Awareness Building

A Strategy Training

A Strategy Linkages

A Strategy Promotional Strategy

Nya:weh “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Meade “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Meade