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Ontario government press release ...

McGuinty Government Invests Over $1.6 Million For Aboriginal Health - Multi-Year Commitment Addresses Disease Prevention And Health Promotion

TORONTO – The McGuinty government is providing $1,685,737 over two years for thirteen initiatives that address the disease prevention and health promotion needs of Ontario’s Aboriginal communities, Health Promotion Minister Jim Watson announced today.

The funding will go to Aboriginal organizations and agencies to implement culturally appropriate initiatives that will best address particular challenges facing the Aboriginal population.

“The McGuinty government appreciates that Aboriginal communities experience particular challenges with respect to healthy and active living and tobacco misuse, which is why we are pleased to invest in these 13 necessary programs,” said Watson. “We asked organizations and agencies that service these communities to tell us how best to address these challenges in their communities and these initiatives are as a result of this healthy partnership."

"This funding is very important to Aboriginal communities across Ontario," said David Martin, President of the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres. “These programs will help us to address incidents of chronic disease, such as diabetes and cancer which are many times higher that the provincial average. Most important, we will empower our youth to lead efforts to reduce commercial tobacco use in our communities. We very much appreciate this opportunity to work with the Ontario government toward improving the quality of life for Aboriginal people."

The thirteen programs that have received funding are:

• The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, Kanonkwa’Tesheio:oi Health Centre in Cornwall ($96,146)
• The Anishnawbe Mushkiki Aboriginal Health Access Centre in Thunder Bay. ($166,250)
• The De dwa da dehs ney's Aboriginal Health Access Centre in Hamilton. ($209,870)
• The Ganaan De We O Dis ^Yethi Yenahwahse Aboriginal Health Access Centre in London. ($6,042)
• The Gizhewaadiziwin Access Centre in Fort Frances. ($131,600)
• Nishnawbe Aski Nation in Thunder Bay. ($35,800)
• The N'Mninoeyaa Aboriginal Health Access Centre (North Shore Tribal Council) in Cutler. ($175,000)
• The Noojmowin Teg Aboriginal Health Access Centre in Little Current. ($131,250)
• The Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres. ($346,630)
• The Ontario Native Women's Association in Thunder Bay. ($84,435)
• The Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health in Ottawa. ($146,828)
• The Wassay-Gezhig Na-Nahn-Dah-We-Igamig Aboriginal Health Access Centre in Keewatin. ($128,888)
• The Union of Ontario Indians in North Bay. ($25,000)

The McGuinty government also recently introduced the province’s first Aboriginal-specific mass media campaign to raise awareness of the harmful effects of commercial tobacco.

Smoking kills an average of 16,000 people in Ontario each year. Tobacco-related diseases cost the Ontario health care system at least $1.7 billion a year, result in more than $2.6 billion in productivity losses, and account for at least 500,000 hospital days each year.

Ontario’s tobacco consumption has fallen by 18.7 per cent or more than 2.6 billion cigarettes since 2003. During that time, the government has increased its investments in tobacco control six-fold to a total of $60 million, including a $10 million increase in 2006 over the previous year.

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BACKGROUNDER March 30, 2007

Improving The Quality Of Life For Aboriginal People

As part of Ontario’s Action Plan on Healthy Eating and Active Living and the Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy, the McGuinty Government is committed to the prevention of chronic disease and the promotion of healthy eating and active living.

The Ministry of Health promotion is funding Aboriginal organizations and agencies in 2006/07 and 2007/08 to carry out projects supporting Aboriginal-specific prevention, education and cessation activities, as well as tobacco control resources in Aboriginal communities and culturally appropriate healthy eating and active living projects.

Funding recipients include:

The Akwesasne, Mohawks of Kanonkwa’Tesheio:oi Health Centre in Cornwall is working with local school boards to provide smoking cessation education to high school students and the Boys and Girls club as an extra-curricular activity. ($96,146)

The De dwa da dehs ney>s Aboriginal Health Access Centre in Hamilton working in partnership with YMCAs will educate Aboriginal youth to live and promote tobacco-wise lifestyles. ($209,870)

The Gizhewaadiziwin Access Centre in Fort Frances developed a smoking cessation video to discourage Aboriginal youth from smoking and to help those who are smoking quit. As well support groups for Aboriginals and their families to lead healthy eating and active living initiatives including community kitchens, baby food making workshops, and sport and recreation activities were established. ($131,600)

NAN - Nishnawbe Aski Nation in Thunder Bay developed a conference and traditional land-based learning camp for Aboriginal youth that encourages cessation of commercial tobacco use and promote active living. ($35,800)

The Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres is providing a train-the-trainer program to staff at its 28 friendship centres across Ontario. The training will promote physical activity, healthy eating and smoke-free living to women and youth. ($346,630)

The Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health in Ottawa developed a project entitled “Walking the Healthy Journey Throughout the Life Cycle”. The project will focus on prevention and cessation of commercial tobacco use, healthy food choices that are available on a limited budget and increasing physical activities that reflect Aboriginal traditions. ($146,828)

The Union of Ontario Indians, headquartered in North Bay, received support to begin development of an “Anishinabek Nation Smoke-Free Strategy” to address the health and economic burden of commercial tobacco use in 43 member First Nations. ($25,000)

The Anishnawbe Mushkiki Aboriginal Health Access Centre in Thunder Bay was funded to work with the Thunder Bay Urban Aboriginal Strategy and the Lakehead School Board to develop active living and healthy eating initiatives in five schools and neighbourhoods. Monthly active living activities and children’s community kitchens will be held at each site. As well, the Centre will develop a 12 week life skills training session on the causes of tobacco abuse, smoking myths and realities, helping participants move towards quitting or harm reduction approaches ($166,250)

The Ganaan De We O Dis ^Yethi Yenahwahse Aboriginal Health Access Centre in London received funding to support healthy living training for 30 health care workers from London Urban Aboriginal agencies, as well as from the seven surrounding area reserves. ($6,042)

The Noojmowin Teg Aboriginal Health Access Centre in Little Current received support for community workers to participate in the “Community Nutrition Advisory Program” being facilitated by the Sudbury and District Health Unit. These newly trained community staff will then coordinate two Take Five programs within the seven local First Nations areas targeted towards First Nation parents and their children and focused on reducing health problems including obesity, diabetes, heart problems and other health issues. ($131,250)

The N'Mninoeyaa Aboriginal Health Access Centre (North Shore Tribal Council) in Cutler received support to develop the “Grow Healthy Families” project. This initiative fosters families taking responsibility for their health by providing them with tools, support and infrastructure to be successful and promoting healthy lifestyle choices. ($175,000)

The Ontario Native Women's Association in Thunder Bay will develop community health gatherings in Kenora and Sudbury. The gatherings will include speakers on diabetes awareness, physical activity, nutrition and overall healthy living. ($84,435)

The Wassay-Gezhig Na-Nahn-Dah-We-Igamig Aboriginal Health Access Centre in Keewatin received funding to hire a health promotion coordinator. The coordinator will carry out community-based activities designed to promote traditional healthy nutrition and active lifestyles that focus on issues including asthma, heart disease, diabetes, and other nutrition topics. ($128,888)

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For further information:

Adam Grachnik
Minister’s Office
416-326-8497

Julie Rosenberg
Ministry of Health Promotion
416-326-4833

From CBC News ...

Obese children will die younger than their parents: report
March 27, 2007 - CBC News

About one-quarter of Canadians aged two to 17 are overweight or obese, and they are expected to live shorter lives than their parents, the Commons health committee warned Tuesday.

Click here for PDF copy of the Healthy Weights for Healthy Kids Report

An all-party committee report titled Healthy Weight for Healthy Kids calls on the federal government to stop the trend toward increasing obesity levels among Canadian children by the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, and to decrease levels by at least 25 per cent by 2020.

The excess weight puts children at risk of a range of preventable health problems, including Type 2 diabetes, susceptibility to heart attack and stroke, joint problems and mental health issues.

"It has been said that obesity outranks both smoking and drinking now in its effects on health and health costs," said committee chair Rob Merrifield, a Conservative MP for the Alberta riding of Yellowhead.

"For the first time in recorded history, today's younger generation will live shorter lives than their parents. Yet parents, and this is, I believe, the most alarming statistic that we found, do not recognize the problem."

According to a survey by the Canadian Medical Association, nine per cent of parents identified their children as being overweight or obese.

Rates among aboriginal children are worse, with 55 per cent living on reserves being overweight or obese, compared with 41 per cent for First Nations children living off reserves, said the report.

Children on reserves are also snacking on processed, high-sugar foods, but statistics suggest obesity levels go down considerably if one meal a day is made of traditional First Nations food, Merrifield said.

The report calls on the federal government to immediately:

• Start a comprehensive public awareness campaign.
• Mandate standardized labels on the front of packages.
• Remove trans fats from the Canadian diet and replace them with an alternative low in saturated fat.

"We have to change the paradigm so that it's unfashionable to overeat and it's very fashionable to exercise more," Merrifield said.

It will probably take a generation to change the culture, but it is possible, said Conservative MP Steven Fletcher, who sits on the committee.

In response to the report, non-profit consumer group Centre for Science in the Public Interest renewed its calls to limit commercially motivated pressures on children to eat, drink and be inactive.

The Commons committee's report called for a review of the food and beverage industry's self-regulation of their advertising to children.

++++

From CTV News ...

Report reveals staggering child obesity numbers
Updated Tue. Mar. 27 2007 - ctv.ca

The childhood obesity "epidemic" means Canadian kids will, for the first time in recorded history, live shorter than their parents, warns a new report.

The Commons health committee report released Tuesday concludes 26 per cent of Canadians between the ages of two and 17 are overweight or obese, an increase of 15 per cent from 1978.

The staggering numbers show that on reserves, 55 per cent of First Nations children in that age group are considered grossly overweight.

The report, titled "Healthy Weights for Healthy Kids," says obesity outranks smoking and drinking in its impact on health and costs related to health-care.

"We're killing our kids with kindness," warned Conservative MP Rob Merrifield, chairman of the Commons health committee which produced the report after nine months of consultations.

The all-party report says Canada has one of the world's highest childhood obesity rates, ranking fifth among 34 countries that are a part of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The added weight is triggering higher rates of preventable life-threatening diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, while also causing joint problems and mental health issues, the committee says.

Children are consuming too many calories in fatty and processed foods and sugary drinks, and spending too much time in front of the TV and computer, MPs warn.

"The link between obesity and the increased consumption of sweetened drinks is particularly disturbing," the 60-page report says. "It has been estimated that sugary drinks may be responsible for as much as one pound per month weight gain in adolescents."

An even more disturbing figure was the fact that only nine per cent of parents recognized their children to be obese or overweight.

"This is the most alarming statistic we found, that they do not recognize the problem," Merrifield said.

The panel says the federal government must immediately ban trans-fats and launch a public awareness campaign to warn of the health care crisis.

The committee recommends changes take place at all levels, including at home, in schools, in the community and in advertising and media markets.

Other recommendations include:

• Putting mandatory, standardized labels on the front of food packages;
• Helping children get more exercise through programs such as Participaction; and
• Collaborating with First Nations and Inuit to curb obesity among aboriginal children.

The committee set 2010 as the target date for halting the rise of childhood obesity, the year Canada hosts the Winter Olympics.

"This is a year when all of Canada's attention will be focused on physical activity, the pride of Canada, our youth and healthy living," said Heart and Stroke Foundation CEO Sally Brown.

General obesity costs Canada about $1.6 billion a year in health-care costs. The panel said it costs the economy another $2.7 billion in lost productivity, disability insurance, reduced quality of life and mental health problems due to stigmatization and poor self-esteem.

With a report from CTV's Monica Matys and files from The Canadian Press

AFN Health Directorate is requesting that all First Nations provide them with an update about local health needs and priorities BEFORE MARCH 15!

Communiqué to First Nations Communities - Sustainability of First Nations Health Resources - Information Request

March 2007

TO: All First Nations Chiefs of Canada
RE: Sustainability of First Nations Health Resources - Information Request

National Chief Phil Fontaine of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and federal Minister of Health Tony Clement signed a joint work plan on December 7, 2006, at the AFN Special Chiefs Assembly. This joint work plan is not about a new process, but rather is intended to achieve deliverables within a six-month timeframe that targets five key priorities:

1. Cross-Jurisdictional Agreements;
2. Sustainability;
3. Management and Accountability;
4. Performance Measurement; and,
5. Legislative Base for Public Health.

The joint work plan has received support from the AFN Chiefs Committee on Health with the caveat that it must build on the existing work – work completed by First Nations regions, Tribal Councils, Treaty areas and communities during the development of the national and regional contributions to the First Nations Framework in the Blueprint on Aboriginal Health endorsed by First Ministers and First Nations leaders in 2005. As well, the joint work plan is not intended to replace or delay negotiations undertaken by specific First Nations in funding, policies or programming pertaining to their health care delivery systems and their health care needs.

The AFN’s involvement in the joint work plan will be conducted under the oversight of the AFN Chiefs Committee on Health and the AFN Executive, guided by recommendations from the National First Nations Health Technicians Network. Through this process, First Nations regions have the opportunity to participate in, and review, the work plan’s activities and outcomes. For more information, and to review the entire document, please visit the AFN website at www.afn.ca and, under policy areas, click on Health and Social.

Sustainability of Health Funding

The main priority at this stage of the joint work plan is the lead taken by AFN in completing an analysis into the sustainability of health funding. This work will provide options for allocating resources based on the workload in a community. This contrasts with more abstract funding formulae approaches that federal departments use based on per capita figures, or based on modified formulae that consider some other cost drivers, such as geographic location.

Workload can mean, for example, the number of clients who are seen every day in the health clinic, the number of home care visits during the week, and/or the number of pregnant women or births in the community. Measuring workload accurately is a way to make sure that enough resources are provided each year to meet the health service needs of the community.

We Need Your Input

Currently, there is very little national information on what communities have really determined to be their funding needs. Community funding proposals submitted to Health Canada’s First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) are not compiled either regionally or nationally in the negotiating of contribution or transfer agreements. For this reason, the AFN is asking for your assistance in sharing information on how you have assessed what health resources are needed in your community. We have attached a survey questionnaire for communities to complete. This information will help us to create a more accurate picture of need, and the preferred methods of communities for measuring this need, including workload, salaries and infrastructure. Timelines for completing the sustainability analysis is March 31, 2007, so any information you can share by March 15, 2007, is much appreciated.

Please be assured that we will NOT identify your community in any of our reports and this information will not be shared outside of the AFN Health Secretariat and its contractor, FAV COM.

If you have any questions or concerns about the survey, please contact Gina Doxtator, Assistant Director of Health, 1-866-869-6789, extension 413, or gdoxtator@afn.ca..

Please visit here to access survey.

Health Council of Canada press release ...

Health Council of Canada Releases Inaugural Health Outcomes Report on March 5th in London, Ontario

TORONTO, March 4 - The Health Council of Canada will release a report on health outcomes on March 5 entitled Why Health Care Renewal Matters: Lessons from Diabetes. The report will be released in London, Ontario and the event will be webcast live at www.healthcouncilcanada.ca.

The report examines the way chronic health conditions - specifically diabetes - are diagnosed, managed and treated in this country and explores changes in lifestyle and care that can have profound, practical and positive effects on the health and quality of life of Canadians with chronic health conditions. One in three Canadian adults has a chronic health condition and one in 20 has diabetes.

Through a synthesis of data and research evidence from Canada and abroad, the report sheds light on why renewal matters in very human terms.

The report, the first in a series on health outcomes, will be released at the London InterCommunity Health Centre. Dr. Ian Bowmer, Vice Chair of the Health Council of Canada and Dr. Stanley Vollant, Councillor, Health Council of Canada will present the report. Michelle Hurtubise, Executive Director of the London InterCommunity Health Centre and one of the centre's clients will also be on hand to comment.

WHAT: Health Council of Canada releases inaugural health outcomes report, Why Healthcare Renewal Matters: Lessons from Diabetes

WHO: Dr. Ian Bowmer, Vice Chair, Health Council of Canada
Dr. Stanley Vollant, Councillor, Health Council of Canada
Michelle Hurtubise, Executive Director, London InterCommunity Health Centre

WHERE: London InterCommunity Health Centre
659 Dundas Street East
London ON

The report release will also be simultaneously webcast on the Council's site, www.healthcouncilcanada.ca. For media to participate, dial 1-800 732 0232 or 416 644 3420 at least 10 minutes prior to 10:00 a.m. ET.

WHEN: Monday, March 5, 2007 (all times EST)
10:00 am Speakers highlight key findings of report
10:45 am Floor opens for questions
11:00 am Opportunity for one-on-one media interviews

On the day of the release, copies of the report will be made available at the event and can also be downloaded at www.healthcouncilcanada.ca at 10 a.m.

The Health Council of Canada, created by the 2003 First Ministers' Accord on Health Care Renewal following the recommendations of the Romanow and Kirby reports, is mandated to monitor and report on the progress of health care renewal in Canada. The 26 Councillors were appointed by the participating provinces, territories, and the Government of Canada and have expertise and broad experience in community care, Aboriginal health, nursing, health education and administration, finance, medicine and pharmacy.

For further information: on the Health Council of Canada, contact: Paul Cantin, Media Relations, W: (416) 480-7085, C: (416) 526-1593, pcantin@healthcouncilcanada.ca;. Nazia Khan, Media Relations, W: (416) 360-6183 ext. 229, Nazia@tsa.ca

Cancer Care Ontario is excited to inform you that the Aboriginal Tobacco Strategy will be hosting an Aboriginal Youth Summit on March 29-31st, 2007.

DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATIONS is MARCH 9.

Click here to view the conference poster.

We are able to sponsor 80 youth (ages 14 to 20) in travel, accommodation and meals to participate in the summit. Youth who are interested in receiving a sponsorship will need to apply by March 9, 2007. If you are interested in applying for sponsorship or if you are interested in attending but do not require a sponsorship please visit www.tobaccowise.com.

Click here for the registration form 

All the information about the Youth Summit they can access from our website at www.tobacco.wise

Contact information:

Lois White
Aboriginal Cancer Care Unit
Cancer Care Ontario
505 University Ave., Toronto ON   M5G 1X3
Phone 416-971-9800 ext. 3595
Fax:  416-971-6888
Lois.White@cancercare.on.ca or
Patricia.Elliott@cancercare.on.ca
http://www.tobaccowise.com

Equay-wuk (Women’s Group) is providing 40 area health and social service organizations with cross-cultural sensitivity training materials.  The mail-out will include:

1. “Menonakachihewaywin Natamakewin (Better Care Giving Project)” Training Facilitator’s Manual
    
2. “A Guide for Professional Caregivers:  Self-Advocation for First Nations Clients” and
    
3. a Workshop Support CD.

Equay-wuk (Women’s Group) has now completed the Menonakachihewaywin Project, a cross-cultural sensitivity training project to assist frontline “professional caregivers” who interact with aboriginal clients in a variety of settings.  The Menonakachihewaywin Project was funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) under the OTF Granting Priority of "Healthier Ontarians".

An earlier project conducted in 1998/99 by Equay-wuk (Women’s Group) produced “A Guide for Professional Caregivers – Self-Advocation for First Nations Clients”, which is a self-help manual that was distributed to local facilities.  The 2004 Menonakachihewaywin Project has revised the Manual and Guide through a combination of research, Elder interviews, caregiver working group meetings and a cross-cultural training workshop.

Equay-wuk (Women’s Group) is an aboriginal women’s organization serving women, youth and families who reside within Northwestern Ontario First Nation communities.  It is a non-profit, provincially incorporated (1989) organization with charitable status serving aboriginal people from 31 First Nation communities in Northwestern Ontario.  Equay-wuk (Women’s Group) is independent from any other women’s group in Ontario.  (Website: www.equaywuk.ca)

For more information about this, Contact:

Felicia Waboose,
Program Director
Equay-wuk (Women’s Group)
Tel: (807) 737-2214
Fax: (807) 737-2699
email: equaywuk@nwconx.net

Ontario government press release ...

Notice of Proposed Regulation Under the Local Health System Integration Act, 2006 Aboriginal Health Council

February 26, 2007

Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs)

On March 28, 2006, the Local Health System Integration Act, 2006 (LHSIA) was presented to the Lieutenant Governor in Council and received Royal Assent. The Ministry is currently developing the regulations and operational policy needed to support the implementation process. Some sections of the Act are not currently in force and are expected to be proclaimed in the Fall 2006 and Spring 2007.

The draft regulation posted here relates to the Aboriginal Health Council that will advise the Minister about health and service delivery issues related to Aboriginal and First Nations peoples and priorities and strategies for the provincial strategic plan related to those peoples. The draft regulation lists the organizations from which Council members will be selected.

All proposed regulations under LHSIA will be published in The Ontario Gazette for 60 days and will be posted on the Ministry website for public review and the opportunity for feedback. Following the consultation period, the Minister reviews the comments received and reports any recommended changes to the Lieutenant Governor in Council (LGIC). The final regulation is presented to the Legislation and Regulations Committee and Cabinet and then presented to the LGIC to sign it into law. Once the final regulations are filed with the Registrar of Regulations and posted in The Ontario Gazette, they are enforceable.

Click here for a copy of the Notice of Proposed Regulation Under the Local Health System Integration Act, 2006 Aboriginal Health Council 4 pages | 26k | PDF format.

FIRST AID/CPR INSTRUCTOR COURSE

An EMP Canada – Medic First Aid Core (first aid and CPR) Instructor course costing $570.00 has been scheduled:

When:  May  2, 3, 4, 2007

Where:  

Regional Training Center
15 Ocean Av., 2nd Floor
Kenora, ON
(The old St. Joseph Hospital, down the street from Lake of the Woods Dist. Hospital)

The course will include the EMP Canada College Classroom Communicator Self-Study Guide, Basic (Emergency), Basic Plus (Standard), and all levels of CPR. The Self-Study guide must be done 2 weeks in advance and returned.

Register now……

Deadline for Registration is April 14. 2007

Please complete and fax or mail this form to the address at the bottom of the application:

Name: ______________________________________________________________
Company/ Organization: _______________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________
City: __________________________________  Prov.: ______ P.C.: _____________
Tel(W): (       ) _____________   Tel (H): (       ) _________________
Fax: (       ) ______________   e-mail: _________________________

Payment ($570.00): ____________

ON THE MOVE

Increasing the participation of girls and young women
in physical activity and sport

WORKSHOP INVITATION

On the Move is a national initiative to increase opportunities for inactive girls and young women (ages 9-18) to participate in sport and physical activity. On the Move is coordinated by CAAWS, the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (http://www.caaws.ca/e/).

This interactive, issue-based session will provide an overview of the initiative, share best practices from across Canada, and provide “how-to” tips to increase the participation of girls and young women. Lessons learned and evaluation findings from Team Spirit: Aboriginal Girls in Sport, a national project to increase community sport opportunities for Aboriginal girls and young women, will also be discussed. Appropriate for everyone from practitioners to policy makers, the workshop will also provide an opportunity for participants to network and discuss collaboration and local action to make a difference in the lives of girls and young women in our communities.

Complimentary On the Move Handbooks will be given to each participant, and information about other resources and initiatives provided by CAAWS will be available.

About the Workshop Facilitator
Sydney Millar (B.Kin, MA) is CAAWS’ On the Move National Coordinator and Team Spirit Project Manager. Sydney has traveled across Canada promoting On the Move and talking to practitioners and policy makers across sectors and jurisdictions about how to increase the participation of girls and young women. She lives in Vancouver BC.

When:  

Wednesday, March 7, 2007
10 am to 2 pm – lunch will be provided

Where:       Sioux Lookout Recreation Centre
                     84 King Street
 
Cost: Participation is FREE

R.S.V.P. to:  Alan Howie, Manager of Community Services
 alhowie@siouxlookout.ca  807-737-1994

Registration deadline is Monday March 5, 2007

Click here to see the REPORT SUMMARY (PDF, 43K)

Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority and Northwestern Health Unit press release ...

Cost of Eating in Remote First Nations Unaffordable

Every year the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) and health units across the province, calculate the cost of a basic food basket.  In June 2006 in partnership with the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA), data regarding the cost of eating and some staple household items were collected from three remote First Nation communities; Sachigo Lake, Sandy Lake and Wunnumin Lake. The average monthly cost of feeding a family of four in the three communities was $1382.44.

This is almost 200% more than the cost of eating in the Kenora Rainy River Districts in 2006.   In 2006, a family of four on a remote First Nation would have paid about $16, 600 for food for the year. If that same family relied on social assistance they would only have brought in about $14, 400 for the year, this leaves a $2200 deficit before factoring in shelter, heating of homes, clothing and other necessities. “Because of high rates of unemployment and the reliance on the social assistance programs, many people are living way below the poverty line and in deplorable, third world conditions,” says Janet Gordon, SLFNHA Director Health Services.

The food basket is based on meeting basic nutritional needs. People in the north are being forced to compromise their nutrition by settling on less nutritional food to feed their families. This results in compromised health status, increasing the burden of preventable chronic disease like diabetes, heart disease and stroke, which already run rampant in the north. “The cost of eating in the north is unacceptable.  Good food is either unaffordable or unavailable and people can’t keep up.  It’s time for government to step up and support First Nations to meet their basic needs”, says Jennifer Maki, NWHU Public Health Nutritionist.

The food basket results will be used to lobby government for a reasonable living wage, to increase access to affordable food and to ultimately improve health in First Nation communities. For more information contact the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority or Northwestern Health Unit.

For more information contact:
Janet Gordon
Director, Health Services
Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority
807-737-6125

Jennifer Maki
Public Health Nutritionist
807-737-2292, ext 29
jmaki@nwhu.on.ca