James Bay coast First Nations exploring bilateral health agreement with federal government
First Nations suspend involvement in health integration agreement
by: Rick Garrick - Wawatay News - May 28, 2009
Kashechewan, Attawapiskat and Fort Albany have suspended direct involvement with the Weeneebayko Area Health Integration Framework Agreement until further notice.
“We signed the agreement in Aug. 2007,” said Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Hall. “This is 2009 – nothing is happening.”
Hall said considering the delay, she decided to take time to think about the situation and review other models and a possible bilateral agreement with the federal government.
She said communities in Saskatchewan have a bilateral agreement with the federal government, an opportunity her community did not know about, to her knowledge, before signing the Weeneebayko Area Health Integration Framework Agreement.
The Weeneebayko Area Health Integration Framework Agreement is an agreement between Attawapiskat, Fort Albany, Kashechewan, Mocreebec Non-Profit Development Corporation, Weenusk First Nation, The Corporation of the Town of Moosonee, Canada and Ontario which sets out the framework to establish an integrated health care system in the Weeneebayko area.
The agreement calls for the establishment of the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority to plan, manage and deliver health care services with a transition period of up to five years during which Canada will reallocate the federal hospital funding to certain community-based health programs to Weeneebayko Area Health Authority.
The agreement also calls for the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority to work with Canada and Ontario to establish an annual consolidated operating budget; work with Ontario and others to improve recognition of its remote, northern location with the hospital funding formula; undertake all necessary activities to integrate the operations of the James Bay General Hospital, the Weeneebayko General Hospital and the federal nursing program; and develop a strategic infrastructure development plan and submit related funding proposals to the appropriate authority.
Hall said the three communities are scheduled to meet May 27 and 28 to review their options.
“Right now we are going to carry on the health programs in existence,” Hall said.
Moose Cree First Nation is currently engaged in talks with Health Canada regarding a bilateral accord.
“The citizens of Moose Cree First Nation are concerned about the downloading of health care to the province,” said Moose Cree Chief Norm Hardisty. “Canada cannot abrogate its treaty relationship with Moose Cree First Nation.”
Kashechewan Chief Jonathan Solomon said more time is required to explore other models of integration and his community is now exploring a bilateral agreement with the federal government.
“The Kashechewan First Nation has a distinct relationship with the crown by virtue of the treaty,” Solomon said. “It is my duty to have a discussion with Canada on a nation to nation basis on health.”
Fort Albany Chief Andrew Solomon said his community is awaiting legal opinion on the next steps to take regarding the integration agreement.