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Volunteers Sought for Matawa Regional Crisis Task Force

Pandemic Influenza Planning – preparing for a quickly moving strain for which people have no immunity, and which is estimated to reach us within the next 5 years according to experts.

Dr. Kim Barker from the AFN presented the following information on Pandemic Influenza Planning.

Background

• Pandemic Influenza is an epidemic that reaches across the world 3-4 times a century
• It is always a new strain for which people have no immunity
• It moves quickly and can infect everyone causing severe illness and death
• It will take 3 months to develop a vaccine once the epidemic begins
• According to experts, a pandemic is estimated to occur within the next 5-10 years
• Unless substantial efforts in the preparation of communities for such an emergency outbreak are achieved, the risk of devastation is high
• The expanding geographical presence of avian influenza in birds (referred to as the H5N1 strain) around the world is of concern as it creates further opportunities for human exposure
• Each additional human case increase opportunities for the virus to improve its transmissibility
• The emergence of an H5N1 strain that is readily transmitted among humans would mark the start of a pandemic
• The illness rate is expected to range widely but at least a 30-40% rate. (This means that 30-40% of your community will be unwell and 30-40% of your leaders and staff will be ill and unable to work).

Preparedness Status

• Since 2002, Health Canada have transferred over $2 million dollars to FNIHB Regions to assist First Nations communities with Pandemic Planning
• Most of this work has been in the form of one-to-two day training sessions for individual community members
• These community members are then tasked with returning to their community and:
• developing a community plan
• integrating their plan with their local Provincial Health Authorities;
• testing the plan;
• updating the plan annually.
• No funding for these activities have been available to date for most communities.
• Nationally, the Public Health Agency of Canada has taken the lead to develop a National Plan, including the purchasing of vaccines and the stockpiling of antiviral drugs
• Each Province and Territory are responsible for developing their own regional plan together with provincial and territorial emergency operations.
• These Provincial and Territorial plans are meant to be used by Health Regions and Municipalities to develop emergency preparedness plans at the local level.
• Very little inclusion of First Nations in the development of these plans has occurred across the country.
• A recent survey by the AFN of communities across the country has revealed that less than half of communities have developed plans and almost none have tested them
• If Kashechewan is an indication of how prepared the Federal Government is to handle an emergency, then we must act now to ensure FN community preparedness.

Roles and Responsibilities

• First Nation leaders and their delegated health authorities are responsible for making sure there is adequate planning at the community level
• Emergency jurisdictions, especially in the area of public health remains ambiguous
• Clear written agreements need to be drawn up with other jurisdictions to ensure that support and resources are made available as communities need it
• To rely on FNIHB/INAC is not recommended.

Next Steps

• Ensure that there is an individual within your community who has the responsibility of developing the plan
• Request an update of the status of the plan including the need for additional resources
• Initiate communication with other jurisdictions (Province, Regional Health Authority or Public Health Unit) to ensure clarity on roles, responsibilities and anticipated support during a pandemic
• The AFN will continue to lobby for additional funds for communities
• AFN can act as a resource to support the community in ensuring they are in touch with the right people.

Questions & Answers Related to the Above Presentation

• What is to be included in the plan?
  - Answer – outline key activities using a template available from AFN or FNIHB.  Communicate with the school, health programs, police, fire, FNIHB in identifying resources and making a plan for mortuary facilities, storage of large quantities of vaccines, closing the school to use as a treatment and holding centre for the ill etc.
• What other supports are available through AFN?
  - Answer – raise awareness and lobby for resources including equipment and supplies
• Are our geese safe to eat?
  - Answer – The Canadian Food Security Agency is testing birds and no positive birds are in Canada at this time
• Will we have priority access to vaccines?
  - Answer – A priority listing has been created for Canada which is listed by job description (the Prime Minister is at the top of the list and Health Care Workers are next)

Six Nations has developed a comprehensive plan and an emergency preparedness plan and is willing to share their plan.

No template link is available at this time.

Equay-wuk (Women's Group) is conducting the Menonakachihewaywin Natamakewin (Better Care Giving Project), which is targeted at non-Native front-line caregivers in the Health and Wellness fields, and is intended to develop cultural competence, sensitivity, and awareness in these same caregivers.  Several online surveys have been prepared, to gather the input of as many Aboriginal persons in Northwestern Ontario as possible, at the same time as gathering the input of the caregivers themselves.

After searching the web to research the water crisis at Kashechewan ...came across a website set up to discuss the Kashechewan water crisis ...

Patrick Periard has set up a website called http://www.kashechewanreserve.com. He would like feedback from the First Nations on this subject, and is encouraging comments and ideas ... Please check this site out and lend your voice ... help make a difference. ... Pauline Littledeer

Click here for a list of the current news items concerning the Kashechewan water crisis.

The Aboriginal Health Conference being planned for October 25 - 26 in Thunder Bay, is a new initiative being spear-headed by the regional Ontario Hospital Association (OHA).  This event will bring together health providers, including the hospitals and other agencies with the end-users of aboriginal health care in Northwestern Ontario. The focus from the Ministry of Health is toward integrated services across the region.  The OHA feels it is important, at this time, to bring these all parties together for shared education, information and networking. 

The education and information is important, but the networking that will be available at this event is equally important to facilitate understanding and collaboration.

The theme of the conference is: Integration, Coordination and Collaboration – Building on Successes. The conference will allow for better understanding of how to successfully integrate Aboriginal healing processes, programs and services into "mainstream" healthcare in Northwestern Ontario.

Cost for this three-day event is $175 for the conference only, $225 for the conference and dinner/entertainment, October 26, 2005. For more information and registration information visit http://www.ohanorthwest.ca/?Aboriginal_Health_Conferenc

Speakers include: Colin Wasacase, Barbara Hall, MOHLTC, Bernice Dubeck, Pat Chilton, Rene Southwind, Geordi Kakepetum, Robin and Katherine Greene, Josie Potson, Ron Wakegijig, Janet Gordon, Garnet Angeconeb, Grand Chief Stan Beardy, Lawrence Martin and more ....

AFN is seeking input from community members on their draft First Nations Blueprint for Health.

"Input and feedback from all First Nations is welcome and will be considered up until one month prior to the First Ministers Meeting on Aboriginal Issues (expected in late November 2005). It at this time that the AFN is anticipating hosting a Policy Summit to review all material to be presented at the 2005 FMM.

Please provide your comments and feedback to Bryan Hendry, AFN Health and Social Communications Officer, at 1-866-869-6789 ext. 229; cell 613-293-6106; bhendry@afn.ca."

From Assembly of First Nations web site at http://afn.ca/article.asp?id=3

First Nations Health News Alert
For Your Review: Draft National First Nations Contribution to the Blueprint on Aboriginal Health, First Ministers Meeting of 2005

Assembly of First Nations
In collaboration with all First Nations Regions and Treaty Organizations - Agenda for Restoring & Improving First Nations Health

Letter to the Honourable Ujjal Dosanjh
Minister of Health - Health Canada

The ministry's press release promises ... The report Is Valuable Advice For North West Ontario Local Health Integration Network

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY REPORT
Integrated Service Plan for Northwestern Ontario : Report of the Special Advisor, Tom Closson
16 pages | 190 k | PDF format

FULL REPORT
Integrated Service Plan for Northwestern Ontario : Project Report Submitted to the Special Advisor
284 pages | 981 k | PDF format

THUNDER BAY –Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman today released a report developed by Special Advisor Tom Closson that will serve as valuable advice for integrating and improving health services for northwestern Ontario residents.

"I want to thank Tom Closson for spearheading a truly collaborative and comprehensive report and the steering committee for their energy and ideas," Smitherman said. "The analysis and recommendations will be invaluable to the North West Ontario Local Health Integration Network as it works to improve local health services for area residents."

Smitherman provided the report to Dr. John Whitfield, Chair, North West Ontario LHIN, today to use in local health planning efforts. Smitherman said that the report may serve as a model for how LHINs across the province can approach local health care planning.

Last May, Closson, then president and CEO of the University Health Network, was named by the government to work with the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, other local providers and the ministry on a plan to help the hospital better achieve its role as a regional hospital and to improve health service integration throughout northwestern Ontario.

The Closson report contains 21 recommendations on how to better integrate and coordinate local health care services, including acute hospital care, primary care, long-term care, mental health and addiction and regional health management.

"The North West Ontario LHIN will carefully consider the recommendations in Tom Closson's report," said Whitfield. "The insights and advice were the result of broad community input and will challenge us to work together to raise the quality of local health care."

"It is my hope that Mr. Closson's recommendations will allow us to solve the challenges of providing equitable and appropriate care to the diverse communities that make up the north west," said Michael Gravelle, MPP Thunder Bay-Superior North. "The recommendations will help ensure that Thunder Bay Regional Hospital is open to the entire region."

This initiative is part of the McGuinty government's plan to build a health care system that delivers on three priorities - keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing wait times and providing better access to doctors and nurses.

For further information :

Members of the media :

David Spencer, (416) 327-4320 Minister's Office

Dan Strasbourg, (416) 314-6197 Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

Members of the general public : (416) 327-4327, or (800) 268-1154

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June, 2005

Vision for the Restructuring of Health Services in Northwestern Ontario :
Improve the health status of people in Northwestern Ontario through an emphasis on health education, disease prevention, health maintenance and access to health services that incorporates the physical and mental health of the population.

This vision requires significant attention to the restructuring, integration and enhancement of primary community care and primary hospital care. The recommendations in this report will maximize the population's access to health services by integrating services along the continuum of care, emphasizing culturally sensitive service delivery and providing services as close to home as is feasible with respect to the safety of care, quality of care and the economics of the care delivery systems.

The Report of the Special Advisor contains the recommendations that will provide the best opportunities for system enhancement, while clarifying the important role of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) within the system. The Hay Report to the Special Advisor includes all of the data gathered over the past nine months in Northwestern Ontario, literature reviews, summaries of consultations that took place during that time and summaries of over 70 submissions received from the community with regard to the work of the Special Advisor. In addition, the Special Advisor received invaluable advice and assistance from a Steering Committee made up of community leaders and health care professionals who live and work throughout Northwestern Ontario.

Webequie First Nation Healing Empowerment Conference and Traditional Pow-Wow

The Healing Empowerment Conference is scheduled to take place in Webequie on August 30 - September 1, 2005. The theme of the conference is " Opening & Creating Healing Trails".

A Traditional Pow-Wow is also scheduled to take place after the Healing Empowerment Conference. The dates of the Pow-Wow is September 1 - 3, 2005.

Visitors are welcomed to come and participate in the events.

For more information :

contact ::

Lillian Suganaqueb @ 807-353-6531 or @ home 807-353-1196

Susan Okeese @ 807-353-1264 or @ home 807-353-1398

Bob Wabasse @ 807-353-1270

Connecting Communities For Better Health
National First Nations Telehealth Summit 2005

September 23-24, 2005 at the Fairmont Hotel in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Plan to attend this important conference which will chart the course for the future of First Nations Telehealth at the community, local, regional and national levels.

More information on this conference will be posted at www.afn.ca by July 25, 2005.

Health Canada is a sponsor of this conference.

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Click here to see poster for

“Doing Research Our Way – Celebrating 10 years of RHS”

Critical up-to-date information on the latest health issues impacting First Nations today!
First Nations Research Conference
November 13, 14 & 15, 2005
Government Conference Centre
2 Rideau St., Ottawa, ON

Assembly of First Nations National Conference on Residential Schools

“A fair and just resolution of the Residential Schools Legacy”

July 19, 20 & 21, 2005 - Vancouver, BC

National Chief Phil Fontaine invites you to participate in an information and interactive conference on Residential Schools

Conference Poster - Small | Large (pdf)
Registration form - (pdf)

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Other on-line resources from the AFN Residential School web site:

• AFN's Report on Canada's Dispute Resolution Plan to compensate for Abuses in Indian Residential Schools (Nov. 17/2004) Download the Report here: Residential Schools Report.pdf
• Residential School Survivors Contact information Database - Please download the form here: Survivors Contact Sheet.pdf (complete and mail to the AFN)
• Residential School Records and personal information by filling out an Informal Request form from www.irsr-rqpi.gc.ca (do not mail this form to the AFN)