Evidence of meeting #22 for Indigenous and Northern Affairs in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was care.
A video is available from Parliament.
5:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Marc Garneau
Ms. Idlout has no other recommendations.
I will go to Ms. McPherson for two and a half minutes.
5:20 p.m.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I would like to ask a question of Grand Chief Daniels and Ms. Clark, if I could, because I know I have a very short amount of time.
Very clearly, would the mental well-being of indigenous people improve if elders and traditional counsellors were incorporated into the NIHB program, similar to the way other service providers are incorporated?
5:20 p.m.
Southern Chiefs' Organization Inc.
I wouldn't go down that route, simply because you're sort of trying to put a brown face on a system that is failing already. I think it needs to be controlled by first nations leaders and first nations experts. I think that's really the only way. We will have our elders with us the whole way. It's always been done that way. We always speak and start in a good way.
I would not be in favour of that process. I think that's the process that's been done for the last 30, 40 or 50 years.
5:20 p.m.
Manager, Policy and Research, Native Women's Association of Canada
Echoing what Grand Chief said, starting in a good way is the best way, but if you cannot start in a good way.... I don't believe the health of first nations has been started in a good way at the hands of the government.
If we can make these small steps, they will lead to improvements in health. Having your traditional people, knowledge and ways of knowing incorporated within your health care is bound to lead to improved mental health for everyone. We're currently looking into this exact topic at NWAC, you know, to put some data behind it.
5:20 p.m.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Ms. Clark, we have about 30 seconds, so if you'd like to reiterate any other learnings that you didn't have an opportunity to say earlier, that would be great.
You get the last 30 seconds.
5:25 p.m.
Manager, Policy and Research, Native Women's Association of Canada
Absolutely. I think an area that has been really overlooked within NIHB is the utilization of pharmacists. Obviously they're dispensing medications, but they can treat minor ailments. Minor ailments can often lead to larger ailments, if you don't get them treated quickly.
Pharmacists are the most accessible health care providers within the country and often are significantly easier to access than doctors. If we can utilize pharmacists in a better capacity, I think that could be one drop in the bucket of getting towards better health for indigenous folks.
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Marc Garneau
Thank you very much. This brings us to the end of our panel.
On behalf of the committee, I would like to thank Ms. Idlout, Ms. Clark and Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. Thank you for your opening remarks and your testimony on this very important subject.
We will now engage in the process of putting together a report. You were the last witnesses we've heard. We very much appreciate your taking the time. We apologize for starting an hour late, but we very much appreciated your testimony.
With that, colleagues, we will suspend so that we can go in camera.
[Proceedings continue in camera]