Evidence of meeting #42 for Indigenous and Northern Affairs in the 42nd Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was communities.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON
Thank you, Madam Chair.
This question is for Chief Bear.
You mentioned two communities with programs that appear to be in development, Lac la Ronge and Sturgeon Lake, I think. Are you able to elaborate on what specific programs are available there and whether those models can be transferred to different communities across the country?
Fourth Vice-Chief, Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations
Just recently with the crisis at Peter Ballantyne, Chief Peter Beatty talked about what they were doing in dealing with trauma. At Sturgeon Lake, of course, they've been leading the charge for one of our communities in terms of children and Indian child and family services, and prevention, and elders. Lac la Ronge, being more remote, has the connection to the land, and the land-based programming is there for us, but they are also looking again at the Fort Qu'Appelle Indian Hospital. They have that Eagle Moon Health Office. There is a group of elders who have worked with the health region, and those models and approaches have been very valid solutions. Then again there is the inclusion of our youth. I know the leadership community is working hard. There are parenting programs as well.
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON
What about the models that you've come across in your communities that can be applicable to different parts of the country?
Chief Executive Officer, Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations
What was the last part?
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON
It was about models of treatment or healing that are available in different communities that you serve and that can be translated into different areas of the country or different communities.
Chief Executive Officer, Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations
Most of what I've been observing has been mainly in mainstream health. What is really missing is the cultural and spiritual component to wellness that I don't see in many of our communities, or in mainstream. In the Navajo Nation, which I'm a descendant of, in the hospitals, the medical doctor works hand in hand with the spiritual medicine man in healing the person.
If we start looking at including that in our hospitals, in our health centres, and especially right in our first nation communities, I think it will address many of the issues. I know within Maskwacis Cree there are side programs that the community members work with themselves, which I haven't seen in the mainstream yet.
Fourth Vice-Chief, Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations
Sorry, I just wanted to supplement that.
There was also a conference last week with Fox Valley and Yorkton Tribal Council, ICFS. That's another successful program that's helping families, healing the family as a whole rather than just the individual.
Also, there's another program that's very exciting. Chief Margaret Bear and the Ochapowace have a hub, a wraparound, integrated approach. Once again, if you can fix housing, you can fix a lot of things.
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON
Ms. Johnson, do you want to add anything to that?
Co-Minister of Health, Children and Youth, Métis Nation of Alberta
Yes, I just want to add that I'm very happy to hear about the programs first nations people have in place. They sound wonderful. I would love to be part of those models. We would love to have some of those implemented ourselves, as our programs are only ones that government runs.
I've said before that we don't have any dollars at all or any recognition given to us. If I could be privy to some of those models, maybe we could look at, with our paper, implementing things that we know are best practices and have worked.
There's a fine line between our first nations people and Métis. Many of our families are both Métis and first nation. Many of our children are brother and sister. One was first nation and one is Métis, and that caused a lag in dollars.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal MaryAnn Mihychuk
Thank you.
We hear you. Thank you.
We have the last round of three minutes. It's for Alistair MacGregor.
Alistair MacGregor NDP Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I'm going to direct all of my questions to Chief Heather Bear.
I want to ask some questions on behalf of one of my colleagues, Georgina Jolibois, the member of Parliament for Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, the entire northern half of the province of Saskatchewan. She also served, I think it was for 12 years, as the mayor of La Loche. In the interests of getting onto the public record and providing evidence in this report for the federal government, I want to get your view with respect to the municipalities in northern Saskatchewan.
Do you think that they are well equipped to serve indigenous individuals who live in their jurisdictions? If not, what do you suggest the federal government do to help municipalities to accommodate indigenous individuals who are entitled to the same services as members of their reserve?
Fourth Vice-Chief, Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations
Once again, of course, it's always the mighty dollar. It's a shame that we have to keep reiterating that.
What happened in La Loche was a tragedy. Of course, at that time we didn't know whether to call the young man who killed himself and others a perpetrator or a victim. I know the communities have come together—first nations, Métis, and non-first nations—but I think there are still underlying issues there. Yes, you can put facilities there, but you need the resources, the ongoing sustainable resources. I believe there's a school coming.
I was there in La Loche right after it happened. It was just about money for a school. Yes, infrastructure is important, but we have people, a community, in trauma. We need to think about people more. Infrastructure is important. It's so complex. I know there is a model. I know that in Cumberland House, Chief Lorne Stewart has signed the first MOU with the municipality there. There are some communities that are doing some good work right now.
Like I say, our people are realizing that we need to work together if we're going to make real change. It's always the funding that's getting in the way of putting a lot of these issues to bed. It's a long and a hard process, but I think we're getting there.
Liberal
Fourth Vice-Chief, Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations
I just want to say that doesn't mean there aren't other examples, like in Biggar when the two children were....
Liberal
The Chair Liberal MaryAnn Mihychuk
I want to thank the presenters. I know that you came a long way to be here. We are very grateful that you did, and your open and honest responses are very important. I'm sure all members appreciate that. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Sylvia. I know it's difficult not being here, and being on the phone, so Ms. Johnson, we want to thank you for participating.
I remind all of you that you can leave your briefs or submit a brief with the clerk or online. Thank you very much for your participation.
Co-Minister of Health, Children and Youth, Métis Nation of Alberta
Thank you very much.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal MaryAnn Mihychuk
That concludes the round of questions. I'm wondering if we are good with adjourning at this time, because we don't have other presenters for the next round.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal MaryAnn Mihychuk
Thank you very much, everyone. I look forward to seeing you on Thursday.