TORONTO – Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day reports, “Yesterday in a positive turn of the corner on the First Nation approach on Health in Ontario; support and pause was given to an MOU with Ontario on a First Nation framework.
“The signing of the MOU was postponed to accommodate PTO regions that ‘need more time’ and information on details. Respectfully, the importance of communication and COO executive roles — is paramount.
“History tells us one thing — the Local Health Integrated Network System in Ontario and its governance under the corporate LHINs structure —– is not effective for the vast majority of First Nations in Ontario.
“In fact, those like the North Shore Tribal Council have demonstrated it can build its own corporate and cultural approach to health in the North Shore First Nations. Sioux Lookout First Nation Health Authority is another example of this. Ultimately, we must support and coordinate health systems planning that comes from and is based on First Nation authority and jurisdiction.
“I commend those FNs that came out to work through these issues and to see Health Transformation through to our own paths and foundations for FN Community Health systems — never losing sight of the TreatyRight to Health and the Inherent Jurisdiction to govern our own affairs in #Healing, #Wellness and #PrimaryHealthCare.
“Unity —– it’s where we find strength, its how we will find success and how we improve Quality of Life for Our People.”
