First Step Towards Implementation of Health Blue Print
During the Chiefs briefing on the First Ministers Meeting Health Blueprint, there were plenty of questions and few answers for now.
Bill Erasmus, the co-chair on Health and Regional Chief O’Brien, and Saga Williams from the AFN promised to return on Wednesday with the answers.
The “Blueprint on Aboriginal Health: A 10 year transformative plan” was accepted by the Federal, Provincial governments and National Aboriginal Leaders. There was initial concern from the provinces regarding off-loading by the federal government however, it was stressed that this was an “exercise of governance and recognizing jurisdictions of First Nations”. The blueprint deals with new and existing federal initiatives. It is a framework with guidelines – intended to be flexible to recognize regional differences.
The First Nation Framework includes several commitments:
- Recognition of First Nation jurisdiction in health
- Investing in First Nation health system
- Joint comprehensive review of First Nation health programs & services
- Strengthening the role and capacity of First Nation governments in delivering health services
- Addressing gaps in services.
5-year funding
- $870M – stabilize First Nation and Inuit Health System
- $445 M – Promote transformation/building capacity. Bill Erasmus reports that there is no clear priorities for this pocket of funding.
Following this brief presentation a myriad of questions arose regarding priorities and assurance as the Federal government has not honoured the political accord. Concerns regarding “The One Window Concept”, “Pan Aboriginal Approach”, or “Horizontal Aboriginal Framework” were expressed. While questions regarding moving this forward to achieve policy were also presented.
The “recognition of regional differences” statement generated the following comment “a common approach is better than regional as it is divisive and causes AFN to act as the police”.
Generally participants expressed difficulty with understanding the Blueprint’s benefit to First Nations. In addition, it is a difficult framework to implement. Further discussions and meetings are planned. The AFN has declared that it is responsible for membership wherever they reside including off-reserve.
No link available at this time for the Blueprint document.