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“Shawane Dagosiwin”

Aboriginal Education Research Forum

Winnipeg, ManitobaJune 2, 2005Lois Edge, Senior Research

Officer Michael Fisher, Research and Policy Officer

NAHO established in 1999 with a unique structure

One of three distinct Centres within NAHO, also including: First Nations Centre & Ajunnginiq Centre (Inuit)

Origin & History

Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, 1996 & National Forum on Health, 1997

Métis Centre formed in 2001

NAHO

The National Aboriginal Health Organization, an Aboriginal designed and controlled body, will influence and advance the health and well-being of Aboriginal Peoples by carrying out knowledge-based strategies.

MHC Vision

The Métis Centre @ NAHO is

dedicated to improving the

mental, physical, emotional,

spiritual and social health of Métis

in Canada through the

advancement and sharing of

knowledge in the field of Métis

health.

Métis Centre

Objectives

1. Improve the knowledge base in Métis health

2. Promote Métis health issues

3. Facilitate and promote research and develop research partnerships

4. Foster the recruitment, retention & training Métis in the delivery of health care

5. Affirm traditional knowledge healing practices

Holistic Approach to Health

Good health is determined by more than simply the absence of illness

From an Aboriginal perspective, it is a balance between physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social elements

Concept of Population Health

The Public Health Agency of Canada says:

"[We] need to address the entire range of conditions and factors that determine health [and] the complex interactions among them..."

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ph-sp/phdd/

SPIRITUAL

MENTAL

PHYSICALINCOME & SOCIAL STATUS

EMOTIONAL

SOCIAL SUPPORT

GENDER

EMPLOYMENT

CONDITIONS

SOCIAL ENVIRONME

NT

PHYSICAL ENVIRONME

NT

COPING SKILLS

EDUCATION

CULTURE

HEALTH SERVICES

BIOLOGY

HEALTHY CHILD

DEVELOPMENT

Population Health Holistic Health

Métis Health

Métis in Canada

“We are a people set apart.

With one foot planted in our white European ancestry,

and the other foot planted in the timeless tribal customs of the Indians,

we belong wholly to neither

and, as a result, hold on to each other and our traditions all the more tightly.”

Senator John BoucherSt. Louis, Saskatchewan

Métis Identity Population

One in three Aboriginal people is Métis — 30% of the total Aboriginal population

Statistics Canada’s 2001 Census

About 295,000 report Métis

identityFastest growing Aboriginal population

High numbers live in western cities

Métis Identity Population

Statistics Canada’s 2001 Census

Métis population much younger than the non-Aboriginal pop.

Métis are highly mobile

Improving levels of education, but still below non-Aboriginal pop.

Levels of employment improving, but still behind general pop.

Health Status of the Métis PopulationStatistics Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples Survey 2001

Métis households twice as likely to be below suitability

More Métis children live in low-income households than non-Aboriginal children

Métis children almost twice as likely to live with a lone parent

Growing physical health concerns, such as diabetes & arthritis

Health Status of the Métis PopulationStatistics Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples Survey 2001

Métis children are least likely to speak an Aboriginal language than other Aboriginal children

A majority feel Aboriginal language retention and learning are important

In a 2002 pubic opinion poll, Métis identified a loss of land and culture as significant contributors to poor health status

Métis Population Health Issues

Similar health status as other Aboriginal groups but limited access to programs & services

Lack of information

Limited opportunity for Métis to self-identify as Métis

Jurisdictional issues

Lack of infrastructure, resources and funding

Métis Community Capacity Building

Workshops

Delivered in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan & Ontario

Designed to “plant seeds of self-determination”

Reflective of community needs

Four modules: Health Information, Needs Assessment, Funding Proposals, Project Management & Evaluation

Planning and Needs

Assessment

Health Information

and Research

Finding Resources & Developing

Funding Proposals

Project Management & Evaluation

Métis Community Capacity Building Workshops

Métis Health & Wellness

Lies in culture, identity and traditional knowledge

Evidenced in history and experiences as shared in storytelling

Dependent on health of the land & water & our relationship with the environment

Métis Elders Gatherings

Brings together Métis Elders, Healers and Seniors from BC, AB, Métis Settlements, NWT, Sask., MB & ON

Promotion and revitalization of traditional knowledge and healing practices

Language retention

Métis Elders Gatherings

Traditional protocols

Spirituality

Ceremony

Medicines

Métis Centre@NAHO

Visit us on the web:

www.naho.ca/metiscentre