On February 26-27, 2020., the Métis National Council held the third annual Métis Nation Health Forum at the beautiful Chateau Laurier in downtown Ottawa, with over 120 delegates from the Métis Nation, the Government of Canada, and other Métis Nation partners coming together to share knowledge and perspectives, and to explore ways in which we can continue to work together to increase the health and well-being of Métis Nation citizens.
Saskatchewan Métis Elder Jimmy Durocher opened the Forum with a moving prayer which was followed by welcoming remarks provided by the Métis Nation British Columbia Director of Health Susie Hooper. Forum Chair and MC Oliver Boulette then introduced delegates to the first panel which included Frances Chartrand, Minister of Health, Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF), Julianne Sanguins, Acting Heath Director, MMF, Susie Hooper, Minister of Health, Metis Nation British Columbia, and Tanya Davoren, Director of Health MNBC, who spoke about emerging health issues for the Métis Nation, as well as the significant work completed in the area of Métis health during this past year – not least of which is the further implementation of MMF’s landmark health benefits program which has been put in place to respond the urgent needs of vulnerable, low income and older Métis citizens in Manitoba.
Dr. Valerie Gideon, and Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) then spoke to delegates about the proposed Indigenous health legislation, a key component of the 2019 Liberal Party Election Platform, and the associated transformation activities now underway within FNIHB and Indigenous Services Canada.
A key note address by Dr. Terry Ling from the Terry Fox Research Institute created the context for a panel and plenary session on the collaborative work being done by the Metis Nation and partners to tackle cancer and cancer risk factors among citizens and their families, and to improve cancer care systems for Métis people. Speakers and panelists included Pam Tobin, Director of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Cancer Strategy at the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CPAC), Julianne Sanguins, Acting Director of Health, Manitoba Metis Federation, and Ashley Turner, the Provincial Wellness Coordinator for Métis Nation British Columbia.
This session was followed by a series of presentations devoted to Métis Youth health and well-being, a highlight of which was the participation of Métis Youth Tanny Taylor and Jayda Scott from Manitoba who shared their insights and perspectives on tobacco use, vaping and other potential health risks and challenges for Métis youth. A joint presentation on the work the Metis Nation is doing with the Public Health Agency of Canada to develop a Metis Nation-specific Tobacco Strategy rounded out this session and included presentations from Annie Smith, the Director of the McCreary Centre Society, and Caitlyn Timmins, a Program Manager working in prevention at CPAC.
The second day of the Forum began with a session examining the impacts of climate change on health. Dr. Katie Hayes from the Climate Change and Innovation Bureau of Health Canada spoke about her research on the mental health impacts of the changing climate, while Paul Courtoreille, a Volunteer Firefighter and community member from Gift Lake Metis Settlement and Lorne L’Hirondelle, Wildfire Ranger and Volunteer Structural Firefighter from the Peavine Metis Settlement in Northern Alberta each gave moving accounts of the critical work they are doing in Northern Alberta as increasingly Métis families and communities are being negatively impacted by climate change, including longer and more intense fire seasons, an increasing fire risk, and potentially greater damage and loss from fire and other climate-related events.
The final panel discussion centred on Métis Nation data needs, and how we can work collaboratively with our partners to increase access and the availability of high-quality Métis data. Brian Schnarch, the Manager of Indigenous Health and Carrie-Anne Whyte, Senior Analyst from the Canadian Institute of Health Information (CIHI), Susan Wallace from the Centre for Indigenous Statistics and Partnerships, Statistics Canada, and Nicolas de Guzman Chorny, Senior Policy Analyst from the Public Health Agency of Canada, each shared information about their respective data holdings as well as the online and interactive tools and resources that are available – or which could potentially be adapted or developed – to better support Métis-specific data gathering, analysis and reporting. All partners reiterated their willingness to continue to work with the Métis Nation in the co-development of new data systems and tools to respond to Métis Nation data needs.
The third annual Métis Nation Health Forum 2020 concluded with a fulsome discussion of how the Métis Nation, stakeholders, and partners can continue to work together and move the yardstick forward on Métis Nation health priorities in this new and exciting period of health system transformation and increasing self-governance.
Download Forum Agenda (PDF)
