First Nations have been advocating for greater control over their health and wellness, consistent with the inherent right to self-determination. In June 2016, the Anishinabek Nation Chiefs-in-Assembly passed a resolution directing the Health Secretariat to begin the process of engaging levels of government to progress with First Nation control of health.

Ongoing meetings between the Anishinabek Nation, federal, and provincial partners have resulted in the development of a joint Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement was signed in the Spring of 2018. In June 2019, an updated Resolution was passed by Chiefs-in-Assembly that supports the ongoing work towards Health Transformation.

The Anishinabek Nation Health System will be First Nation-designed, delivered and administered. The First Nations Engagement Sessions are being conducted throughout the Anishinabek Nation territory to bring Anishinabek First Nations together to discuss a comprehensive system change based on social determinants of health.

The Health Transformation is not about providing more resources or amending pre-existing policies or structures; it is about laying a strong foundation for Anishinabek Nation First Nations to exercise control over the design and delivery of our own health and wellness. The system will recognize holistic and traditional medicines, and integrate culturally-safe and relevant delivery of care and services that will result in healthier communities and citizens. The Health Transformation is by Anishinabek for Anishinabek to secure the well-being of the next seven generations.

What is Health Transformation?

Health Transformation will give First Nations a high-quality, culturally-driven health system that is tailored to community needs and is designed and controlled by First Nations. Health Transformation is not devolution; it is First Nations taking control of their health.

Why do we need Health Transformation?
The current state of First Nations health services does not meet the needs of citizens. Indigenous Peoples suffer significant health disparities when compared to the non-Indigenous population. For example:

• life expectancy is shorter and avoidable mortality rates are higher among Indigenous Peoples;
• First Nation adults have more than double the risk of dying from avoidable causes when compared to non-Indigenous adults;
• mental illness and suicide rates are higher in Indigenous People. Depression and PTSD are prevalent in First Nations people living both on and off-reserve; and, the suicide rate is much higher, along with self-harm among youth and adults.

Communities with higher levels of community control have been proven to have improved health outcomes.

What are the benefits of Health Transformation?

• First Nations would assume control and be central to the design and delivery of all health services at the community level.
• Better integration and coordination of services to support a seamless continuum of care, thereby addressing service gaps, duplication of effort, and fragmented service provision.
• More effective and efficient programs to be achieved through aggregated health service delivery.
• Creating better and higher-paying jobs.
• Improved health outcomes and more responsive service delivery.
• Larger and flexible budgets with long-term escalators.

For more information, please visit www.health-transformation.ca or email HT@anishinabek.ca.