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Aboriginal representatives from across northern Ontario wrapped up the Mii Kwen Daan - Continuing the Dialogue with NOSM representatives with a series of recommendation. Video archives of the sessions are available by joining the http://meeting.knet.ca online environment. Please join the ongoing discussion forums to add your contributions to this "Continuing the Dialogue".

NOSM Press Release ...

Aboriginal Workshop Recommends Further Development of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine

Fort William First Nation, August 3, 2006 --  95 Aboriginal, community and health care leaders from all across Northern Ontario spent the past three days engaged in discussions at a workshop hosted by the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM).  The Mii Kwen Daan - Continuing the Dialogue " workshop, held at Fort William First Nation, provided a forum for participants to discuss opportunities to further engage Aboriginal communities into the ongoing development of the School of Medicine.

Some of the recommendations arising out of the discussions centered around:

• Communications: Evaluate the mechanisms used to communicate with Aboriginal communities to maximize their impact and effectiveness.
    
• Community Engagement: Provide further opportunities for students and community staff to interact and learn from each other to prepare them for community and cultural learning experiences.
    
• Admissions: Advocate for greater financial support for Aboriginal medical students and applicants.
    
• Curriculum: Development: create additional opportunities to increase and sustain cultural awareness.
    
• Research: Establish an Ethics Review sub-committee of the Aboriginal Reference Group.   

Rosie Mosquito, Nishnawbe Aski Nation and Chair of the NOSM Aboriginal Reference Group commended the School of Medicine for its progressive approach to Aboriginal issues.  "The School's efforts to engage the Aboriginal communities of Northern Ontario into its curriculum and administration are truly progressive.  With a 'think-outside-the-box' approach, NOSM leadership has pushed the parameters for a successful medical education program."

NOSM Founding Dean Dr. Roger Strasser was extremely pleased with the workshop's outcomes.  "The Northern Ontario School of Medicine has a mandate to be socially accountable reflecting the cultural diversity of Northern Ontario.  Workshops like this, help to ensure that the School of Medicine is succeeding in its efforts to engage Aboriginal communities into the School's programs.  We look forward to working with the Aboriginal Reference Group to review the recommendations arising out of this workshop." 
 
The Mii Kwen Daan - Continuing the Dialogue workshop was a follow-up to the 2003 Follow Your Dreams workshop held in Wauzhushk Onigum First Nation.  During this initial workshop, Aboriginal participants provided specific recommendations for creating an "Aboriginal friendly" medical school.  A Mii Kwen Daan - Continuing the Dialogue workshop report will be published in the coming months and posted to www.normed.ca. 

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is a pioneering faculty of medicine. The School is a joint initiative of Lakehead and Laurentian Universities with main campuses in Thunder Bay and Sudbury, and multiple teaching and research sites across Northern Ontario. By educating skilled physicians and undertaking health research suited to community needs, the School will become a cornerstone of community health care in Northern Ontario.

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For further information, please contact:
Tracie Smith   Marlene Moore
807-766-7314 or 807-624-7862 705-662-7243
tracie.smith@normed.ca  marlene.moore@normed.ca

Communications Unit
Northern Ontario School of Medicine

West Campus
Lakehead University
955 Oliver Rd.
Thunder Bay ON  P7B 5E1
Tel: 807-766-7300
Fax: 807-766-7370

East Campus
Laurentian University
935 Ramsey Lake Rd.
Sudbury ON  P3E 2C6
Tel: 705-675-4883
Fax: 705-675-4858
E-mail: NormedNews@NorMed.ca