Media.Knet.Ca

Russell Means was in Winnipeg in September sharing his thoughts about building strong and healthy communities. His message contain challenges for everyone to consider ... "Anything you don’t work for you shouldn’t get. If you don’t work, you shouldn’t be rewarded, period. It creates a dependency syndrome that is only beneficial to those who are in control."

Means' recommendations for positive change in First Nations include:

• Abolish the Bureau of Indian Affairs (in Canada, the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs). “The Bureau of Indian Affairs is a racist, colonial office that has total authoritarian control over Indian land, resources and people...."
• Establish property rights on reserves. “It would benefit our people. Every society on Earth . . . knows that property rights enhance meaningful economic development.”
• Have your own schools. Means has adopted an immersion school model from the Maori for a Lakota school program at Pine Ridge. 
• Have your own courts. Without the protection of law, efforts to attract sustainable businesses and investment will fail.

Means' was brought to Winnipeg by the Frontier Centre for Public Policy (http://fcpp.org/), an independent, non-profit think tank founded to undertake research and education in support of economic growth and social outcomes which will enhance the quality of life in our communities. Through a variety of publications and public forums, the Frontier Centre explores policy changes required to make the Prairies a winner in the open economy. It also provides new insights into solving important issues facing our cities, towns and provinces.

The Frontier Centre web site contains several more interviews, discussions and radio presentations with Russell Means. Check out ...

• Where White Men Fear To Tread - Russell Means lays out his vision for aboriginal policy reform.
• Russell Means, America's "most famous Indian" - On four changes needed in aboriginal policy
• NCI Radio interview with Russell Means (Mp3)

This year's Canadian Aboriginal Festival is happening at the SkyDome in Toronto on November 26, 27 and 28. There are activities planned for everyone, including:

• Pow Wow
• Music Awards
• Education Day
• Market Place
• Economic Conference
• Fashion Show
• Lacrosse Competition
• Traditional Teachings
• Film & Video
• Visual Arts
• Education Pavilion
• Performing Arts
• Workshops

The sixth annual Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards will honour the premiere musical artists of the Canadian Aboriginal communities. The Awards will be taking place Friday, November 26th at the John Bassett Theatre located in the Metro Convention Centre. Click here to see the list of 2004 finalists.

"There are currently only 16 Aboriginal medical school students in the five medical schools in Ontario, which is only 0.6% of the overall enrolment of 2,584. On the basis of equitable enrolment, there should be at least 44 Aboriginal medical students at the present time. Based on population, a conservative estimate is that there should be 375 Aboriginal doctors already in practice in Ontario rather than the current dozen." 2020 VISION: A Strategy for Graduating More Aboriginal
Physicians in Ontario, September 20, 2004

McMaster University President Dr. Peter George Addresses The 2020 Vision Symposium While Symposium Co-Chairs Hon. Roy Romanow and Elected Chief Roberta Jamieson Study Symposium Materials

Click here to read more about the 2020 Vision Symposium on the Six Nations web site

Wapekeka Full Gospel Church presents:

Wapekeka Youth Rally

November 26, 27, 28, 2004

Preacher: Joseph Campbell

Guest Singers: Betty Anderson, David Mamakwa

Travel will be at own expense, Meals and Accommodations will be provided.

Contact Person:  Louie J. Brown @ 807-537-2315

Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.

NNEC technical staff Cathy Carpenter and Carlton Blackhawk received a briefing on ICT applications while touring KO's Thunder Bay offices... To read more, click here..

Neskantaga First Nation

Sobreity Pow Wow

November 19 - 21, 2004

Host Drums

Kitch-Noodagose

Sand Creek Singers

Spirit Island Singers

Seventeen First Nation grade 8 classroom teachers are participating in this week's teacher orientation session to on-line learning in preparation for the start of this year's Grade 8 on-line Science course. These classrooms have approximately 190 First Nation students who will be working together to explore the exciting world of science using a variety of new innovative learning tools. Click here to see the flash presentation for this on-line course participants.

Fernando Oliveira, the Program Coordinator for the G8 Supplementary Courses Program, worked over the summer with a number of different parents to modify the open source, e-learning platform (called Moodle) to address a number of the issues identified from last year's courses. The new e-learning environment promises to support the local students, the classroom teachers, the course markers and course teacher to deliver an exciting and interactive on-line course.

The Grade 8 on-line supplementary program is another innovative service being delivered through Industry Canada's First Nations SchoolNet program and the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Regional Management Organization (RMO). The RMO team is supporting First Nation schools across Ontario in a number of areas including:

• developing broadband connections to the local schools that can then be shared with other local organizations, businesses and community members to ensure the ongoing sustainability of these connections;
• providing computers and multi-media equipment that can be used by the students and community members in producing and publishing local information, resources and services on-line;
• researching and creating local success stories about First Nation schools, communities and individual champions engaged in the creative and innovative use of these communication technologies;
• partnering with other organizations and First Nation schools in developing video conferencing workshops and sessions that address local needs and issues;
• delivering a helpdesk service to support First Nation schools and groups in the use of these interactive technologies and connectivity solutions;
• hiring local youth to work with education authorities and schools in the development and delivery of on-line services, activities and information.

Everyone is invited to explore these services on-line at http://g8.firstnationschools.ca to find out how the RMO team can support your local school and its on-line activities. Or call Jeannie Carpenter, RMO Administrator toll-free at 877-737-KNET (5638) ext 0 to find out how you can become involved in these opportunities.

Representatives from the six regional management organizations (RMO) are meeting with Industry Canada officials in Cranbrook, BC to develop a strategic plan to better support First Nation schools in their efforts to become the leaders in the delivery of education programming through the innovative use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Carl Seibel, FedNor's Telecom Officer, is attending this session with Brian Beaton, K-Net Coordinator as the Ontario RMO representatives. Other members of the RMO team will be joining the meeting via video conferencing.

These strategies include discussions about working with First Nations and their organizations across Canada to ensure EVERY school and community is provided with the opportunity to develop their own broadband infrastructure. With broadband infrastructure in place, First Nations are positioned to become involved in the development of local social and economic opportunities including telehealth, e-learning, e-commerce, e-government, etc.

Industry Canada programs and staff are working with communities across Canada to develop local broadband infrastructure. Many First Nations have already created their own community broadband solution. The challenge now is to get other Federal and Provincial government departments (like Indian Affairs, Heritage Canada, etc) investing in the ongoing operational costs of this infrastructure and the resulting applications. Health Canada is today investing in the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Telehealth Initiative that is making telemedicine and medical education programs available in remote First Nations across northwestern Ontario. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) made a commitment in 2003 to fund the Keewaytinook Internet High School but the annual struggle to secure the necessary funding to operate this service in thirteen First Nations demonstrates a lack of support for the uses of these infrastructure on the part of this department. These are just two examples from the many broadband applications and the work that is required to create new opportunities in First Nations using broadband infrastructure.

The meetings in Cranbrook will include people from across the country using the K-Net video conferencing network and bridging service. The meeting is being facilitated by Harvey McCue. The agenda follows:

4th FIRST NATIONS SCHOOLNET
NATIONAL STRATEGIC
PROGRAMME PLANNING MEETING
October 12-14, 2004
Delta St. Eugene Mission Resort, Cranbrook, B.C.
Facilitator:  Harvey McCue

Tuesday, October 12th

6pm – 9pm First meeting with the Techmobile – St. Eugene Mission· The “Techmobile” is a multimedia truck designed to provide education regarding broadband to communities. St. Mary’s Room

Wednesday, October 13th

Connectivity
9am – 9:30am Keynote Speech: Chief Sophie Pierre, St. Mary’s BandChief Pierre is a nationally recognized leader whose vision has always been building for the future to make a better life for her nation and people.  She attended St. Eugene Mission residential school as a child and has been the driving force to convert it to a $40 million resort/casino. Chief David Room

9:30am – 10:15am E-Learning Direction – Pierre Gendron

10:30am – 12:00pm Strategic Planning Session 1: Mandate, objectives

• Mandate, programs objectives and priorities
• Collective objectives, individual member objectives
• Who is the target audience?
• Has your view of the FNS objectives/mission evolved?
• Current viewpoint of conference participants

Promising Initiatives
1:00pm – 3:00pm Strategic Planning Session 2: Continuing the discussion

• What is success?
• Measurements, indicators
• Industry Canada requirements – coping with the change
• First Nations requirements – coping with the change
• General Overview – Suzanne Robert
• RMAF/RBAF – Bruno Makoundi
• Broadband – Gerry Briggs 

3:15pm – 5:00pm Strategic Planning Session 3: Continuation

• Working with Education Authorities – Issues, Challenges and Outcomes · Events

Thursday October 14th

Moving Ahead
9:00am – 9:20am Strategic Planning Session 4 · Administrative Details - Suzanne Robert, FNS Program Manager

9:20am – 10:30 · Additions to FNS infrastructure

1. FNS Advisory Board
2. Aboriginal E-Learning Virtual Institute
3. Potential Networking- FNS- Federal and Provincial Governments
4. Unifying the RMOs
5. Key Players
6. Decisions/Actions

10:45am – 12:30pm Strategic Planning Session 5 – Final Steps, Moving Forward

1:00pm – 2:45pm Moving Forward - Discussion 

All of the sessions will utilize a Roundtable format

This is your chance (before Friday October 15) to write to the Ministry of Health with suggestions and thoughts about all of the region of northwestern Ontario (which now also includes the Cochrane district in the new plans) being "grouped" into one LOCAL Health Integration Network (LHIN). This LHIN is suppose to be able to deliver "an integrated health care system that is patient-centred and responsive to local health care needs."

Below is the Ministry of Health's  invitation to participate in this consultation process. Be sure to write to transforminghealth@moh.gov.on.ca with your thoughts and recommendations before Friday, October 15. Hopefully the voice of the north will be heard about these Toronto solutions that seem to only serve their institutions, corporations and environments.

Taking Action to Improve Health Care

Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
October 6, 2004 Bulletin from MOHLTC Web Site

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/transformation/index.html#2

The provincial government is making major changes to the province's health care system so it can better meet the needs of Ontarians today, and remain sustainable for generations to come.

The government's action plan for change is anchored on a clear vision, healthy Ontarians in a healthier Ontario, and based on what matters most to Ontarians - better access to the right care, at the right time, in the right place.

This plan is focused on achieving the following results :

• a system that is better integrated and easier for the patient to navigate;
• reduced wait times for cardiac care, cancer care, hip and knee replacements, cataracts and MRIs;
• better access to comprehensive, around-the-clock health care to people in their own communities; and
• expanded access to home care and long-term care to free up hospitals and treat people more quickly.

Visit this site often to find out more about how your government is delivering change.

Changing health care in Ontario to place patient care front and center will require leadership, teamwork and input from all those involved. That's why we want to hear from you. Write to us at

transforminghealth@moh.gov.on.ca

Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs)

Ontario has committed to the creation of an integrated health care system that is patient-centred and responsive to local health care needs. Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) provide both the vision and the enabling structure to achieve these goals.

Local Health Integration Networks:
Building a True System

The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's Health Results Team is proud to provide you with the first of a series of reports about our health transformation initiatives. We will use various methods to communicate with and seek feedback from health care providers and groups about our plans and activities.

This first bulletin is intended to inform healthcare providers and Ontario citizens about the government's plans to better integrate and coordinate health services at the local level. It will inform you about how we are bringing together the planning and delivery of health care services within set geographic boundaries. We call the new system Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs).

The LHIN Vision

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is committed to working with our province's dedicated healthcare professionals to improve the healthcare system because Ontarians deserve the best healthcare.

This is part of our goal of transforming the healthcare system to make it more patient-centred and responsive to local needs.

LHINs are a "Made-in-Ontario" solution that engages communities in health system transformation by enhancing and supporting local capacity to plan, coordinate, integrate, and fund the delivery of health services at the community level.

LHINS are an important part of the evolution of health care from a collection of services to a true health care system.

Unlike the integrated models in place in other provinces of Canada, LHINs will not be providers of clinical services, but will coordinate service delivery. Existing provider organizations will continue to be relied upon to deliver services.

Principles

The principles guiding the LHINs' mandate and responsibilities reflect a vision for medicare reform that ensures :

• Equitable access based on patient need
• Preserves patients' choice
• Measurable, results-driven outcomes based on strategic policy formulation, business planning and information management
• People-centred, community-focused care that responds to local population health needs
• Shared accountability between providers, government, community and citizens

Why LHINs?

We need to make better use of - at the local level - the strengths and advantages of Ontario's vast healthcare community. Despite many successful individual efforts at integration, healthcare providers still operate in an extremely complex environment, dominated by sector-specific silos. Consider that Ontario's healthcare system is comprised of :

• 155 hospitals
• 581 long-term care facilities
• 42 Community Care Access Centres
• 37 local Boards of Public Health
• 55 Community Health Centres
• 70 community and public health labs
• 353 mental health agencies
• 150 addictions agencies
• 5 Health Intelligence Units
• 16 District Health Councils
• 7 Regional Ministry offices

Today, the individual Ontarian must navigate a system that has numerous unaligned programs and services, as well as conflicting and overlapping boundaries. A common set of boundaries across the system will facilitate the proper integration of healthcare services and will ease the movement of people across the continuum of care so that they get the best care, in the most appropriate setting, when they need it. Local Health Integration Networks provide both the vision and the enabling structure to achieve these goals.

Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) will be 14 community-based organizations with a unique mandate to plan, coordinate, integrate, manage, and fund care at the local level within their defined geographic areas.

Mapping the 14 LHINs

The 14 LHIN geographic boundaries were created to reflect local areas where people naturally seek health care.

These were determined by using evidence-based methodology in collaboration with the

Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES). http://www.ices.on.ca/

The boundaries are permeable for patient care. People will continue to be able to choose their health care provider as they do today.

All 14 LHINs contain at least one high volume hospital.

See LHIN regional maps http://www.health.gov.on.ca/transformation/lhin/lhinmap_mn.html

1. Erie St. Clair 2. South West 3. Waterloo Wellington 4. Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant 5. Central West 6. Mississauga Oakville 7. Toronto Central

8. Central 9. Central East 10. South East 11. Champlain 12. North Simcoe Muskoka 13. North East 14. North West

Methodology

Working with ICES, the Ministry used the following methodology to determine the Local Health Integration Network boundaries :

Step 1 :

Establishing Hospital Service Areas (HSAs) :

• ICES used the postal codes from patient hospital discharge abstracts to locate a patient's home location, comparing this to the location of the hospital where the services were received.
• Patient locations were mapped to Statistics Canada's Census Dissemination Areas (DAs) as the basis for the patient origin.
• Each DA was then assigned to the one hospital where most of the hospital admissions were made and groupings were built up to form Hospital Service Areas (HSAs).

Step 2 :

Once HSAs were determined, they were grouped further into larger Hospital Referral Regions (HRRs) following a similar methodology :

• Admissions to the top 50 high volume (HV) hospitals in Ontario were used to determine regional travel patterns.
• The HRR boundaries form the basis of the Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs).
• The Ministry considered various options for the number of LHINs from a system management perspective.
• The decision to have 14 LHINs was made based on the experiences of other jurisdictions in Canada for the effective management of the healthcare system.

Step 3 :

The appropriateness of the "fit" for each area was tested by calculating a "Localization Index" :

• The Localization Index is a measure that shows what percentage of the population receive health services locally.
• For the LHIN areas, the Localization Index ranges between 57.8% and 97.2% indicating a good match between these new areas and where people receive their health care.

Hospital and Localization Index Data Chart [PDF]

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/transformation/lhin/bulletins/data_chart_100604.pdf

Governance and Accountability

LHINs will be organizations governed by an appointed Board of Directors and bound by performance agreements with the Ministry. The Boards will be appointed by an Order-in-Council. Board members will be selected using a merit-based process, with all candidates assessed for fit between skills and abilities of the prospective appointee and the needs of each individual LHIN. The appointment process will be transparent and consistent - with clear and understandable guidelines applied consistently to all Board appointments.

Board members will be expected to possess relevant expertise, experience, leadership skills, and have an understanding of local health issues, needs and priorities.

It's Your Turn

Changing healthcare in Ontario to place people front and centre requires leadership and teamwork from all of us. That's why we want your involvement and input. For our part, we commit to keeping you informed of further developments, acknowledging your concerns and issues, and providing you with feedback. We have created a transformation website to keep you informed and to receive your views and input and will be using online methods to communicate with you.

At this stage, we encourage you to assist us in the planning work for LHINs that is currently underway. Look for LHIN Bulletin #2 in two weeks, which will contain the outline of an engagement process for LHIN health care providers to develop a plan for delivery of service in their geographic area.

In the meantime, we would like your feedback on the following questions :

1. What examples of healthcare integration already exist in your LHIN area?
2. What are the critical factors for the successful implementation of the LHIN in your area?
3. What role can you and your organization play in collaboration with the Ministry as the LHIN planning work continues in your area?

Please send your comments on these questions to

transforminghealth@moh.gov.on.ca by October 15. We will report back on your feedback in a future bulletin.

Thank you for working with us on this important initiative. We look forward to hearing your suggestions for how we can create a better-integrated and patient-centred healthcare system together.