THUNDER BAY – Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) has partnered with air ambulance service provider Ornge for a career information session on health professions and air ambulance for NAN secondary school students in Thunder Bay next week
“There is a need for grass roots participation in the health system by First Nations people, and we encourage our students to consider careers in medical professions. By engaging with health care professionals at an early stage in their academic careers we hope to inspire students to pursue professions that provide much-needed medical service in our communities,” said Deputy Grand Chief Derek Fox, education portfolio holder.
The event will be held Monday, April 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School. It will allow students to learn about education and career opportunities in paramedicine, nursing, medical transportation and other health-related professions. They will receive training and certification in First Aid and CPR by volunteer high school students from southern Ontario under the supervision of Ornge staff.
“Ornge is a lifeline, especially in our remote First Nations, for the health and safety of our people. We look forward to working with Ornge and schools in our communities to provide more of our people with emergency response training like First Aid and CPR. This will help equip more of our community members with the life-saving skills to respond to emergencies,” said Deputy Grand Chief Jason Smallboy, who holds the health portfolio.
Ornge, a not-for-profit organization, co-ordinates all aspects of Ontario’s air ambulance system, the critical care land transport program, paediatric transport program and the authorization of air and land ambulance transfers between hospitals.
Ornge has six bases serving NAN territory: Kenora, Sioux Lookout, Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Timmins and Moosonee.
