Good afternoon, all. Thank you, all, for giving us this opportunity here today.
My name is Chief Rupert Meneen. I'm from the Tallcree Tribal Government. I have been part of this group for the last 10 years, working on this culturally inclusive facility that we're talking about.
I'm one of the four chiefs who form the North Peace Tribal Council, which includes the Dene Tha', Tallcree Tribal, Beaver First Nation, and the Little Red River Cree Nation. We represent a population of approximately 7,500 on reserve and almost 4,000 off reserve, many living within the Mackenzie region, and including the Métis population. Over 40% of the Mackenzie region is indigenous.
We have a dire situation in the north. We have elders who are in overcrowded homes and are not being afforded the opportunity to live out the rest of their lives in a place where they don't have to cook or fight for a bed to sleep in. They do not and will not move into a facility with unfamiliar surroundings that is out of their home region and away from loved ones.
We have elders in long-term beds in our hospital because there are no supportive living beds for them. Our elders and spiritual leaders are respected in first nations' communities, and I feel that it is my job as a chief to do what I can to make sure they are treated with the respect that they deserve.
It used to be that the younger generation would care for our elders, but now with the social crisis around addictions, opioids, housing shortages, and unemployment it has created an environment where the younger family members can't care for our elders.
We think it is important for this standing committee to look at the broader picture of the actual needs for care within our region. Long-term care is one component. Another is home care. Another is housing. I am in support of a culturally inclusive facility right now based on our infrastructure. The location is best-suited to be within Fort Vermilion. We live in rural and remote areas where health care is challenging, so health care includes both the facilities and care prior to entering the health care system.
Our life expectancy is lower in the north than in many other regions due to poor socio-economic conditions, and residents need seniors' lodges 10 or more years earlier than the non-indigenous population. The reason we are getting overlooked so much is that the data between Alberta Health Services and Health Canada is not captured or tracked in the same way, and the funding formulas are largely focused on urban populations.
What we want and what is needed right now, number one, is for the Government of Canada and the respective provincial government to get on the same page in gathering and tracking data in rural, remote, and northern communities. Number two, there should be several business cases, including one in Fort Vermilion, that review public-private partnership to deliver culturally inclusive health services. Number three is to build capacity, train the people needed to build the facilities and to staff, manage, and support seniors' and elders' care.
Again, I want to thank you, all, for allowing us to present on this much-needed facility. I thank you again for allowing us this time with you.