Health
The Chiefs of Ontario Health Secretariat supports increased opportunities for First Nations to participate and influence regional and national health policy, health systems (Federal and Provincial) and program development in all Health areas as mandated by the leadership.
The Health team’s long-term goal is reflected in the 2009 First Nations Strategic Health Plan’s Vision for First Nations Health:
“In the year 2033, we the First Nations people have control of our health, our own health systems and environment, living our traditions that value life and care of self. We live healthy lives (physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually), as well as governing our own healthy communities.”
The Health Secretariat will focus on the following strategies to support the achievement of First Nations health goals:
- Research, policy and legislative analysis, and advocacy.
- Relationships, collaboration, partnerships, and tripartite processes.
To achieve the following priority outcomes:
- A First Nations Research and Data Management Centre.
- A strategy for Jordan’s Principle in Ontario.
- Mental health and addictions research, promotion programs, and wellbeing initiatives.
Human Trafficking
Since time immemorial, First Nation peoples have had mechanisms for culturally safe practices that reconcile sexual violence and sexual exploitation within their community. These natural healing ways and justice methods have been interfered with for centuries by settler colonial justice systems. The natural healing paths and accountability mechanisms have suffered a great cultural injury, and this has resulted in an epic destructive colonial influence on our people. This discussion paper highlights the need for ending sexual violence and sexual exploitation in First Nation communities.
The Anti-Human Trafficking Community Supports Fund is available to community-focused anti-human trafficking organizations to address the short and long-term needs of survivors of human trafficking. This fund will help service providers deliver dedicated and specialized supports, prioritizing survivor-led programming and services for children and youth who have been sexually exploited.
The Call for Applications on ontario.ca/getfunding has extended its deadline to August 7, 2020, to all applicants serving survivors of human trafficking that meet eligibility criteria, including agencies currently receiving CSF and ILIF funding.
For technical difficulties with downloading application forms, or uploading your completed submission, please contact: TPON Client Care, available Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at:
- Telephone: 416-325-6691 or 1-855-216-3090
- TTY/Teletypewriter (for the hearing impaired): 416-325-3408/Toll free 1-800-268-7095
- Email: TPONCC@ontario.ca
For all other program-related questions, please contact our office at this email (antitrafficking@ontario.ca) or at 416-327-7010.
Human trafficking is a crime. A restraining order can be an important legal tool in protecting survivors and individuals at risk of being trafficked from the threat of exploitation and violence. Learn about what human trafficking is, what you can do to stop it and what help is available at www.Ontario.ca/HumanTrafficking.
Parents and guardians of a child survivor or a child at risk of being trafficked will also be eligible for free legal support. A restraining order can be filed any time after a survivor has been trafficked, regardless of how much time has passed.
To access services, please call the toll-free human trafficking helpline at 1-833-999-9211. TTY – 1-888-340-1001.
For more information on eligibility and the pilot program, please click below
Data Governance Committee
The Chiefs of Ontario is looking for individuals, youth and Elders/First Nation Knowledge Keepers that have knowledge and experience in First Nation health research, research practices, community-based research, experience with the Regional Health Survey (RHS), reviewing and writing research projects, knowledge of First Nation research ethics to sit on the First Nation Data Governance Committee.
Trilateral Health Senior Officials Committee
All Ontario Chiefs Assembly in June 2011 passed Resolution 11/38 directing OCCOH to establish TFNHSOC with the provincial and federal governments.
It was further agreed that the Federal government be engaged as an active participant given its historical and continuing role with First Nations. Health Canada, representing the Federal government is committed to participate in a trilateral process with Ontario First Nations and the provincial government to improve health outcomes for First Nations, in a manner that is guided by the honour of the Crown.
These discussions have lead to the establishment of a Trilateral First Nations Health Senior Officials Committee (TFNHSOC) to work collaboratively in identifying and implementing practical measures on specific priority areas. COO maintains that: “First Nations have a right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health (physical, mental, spiritual, emotional and environmental) through their Inherent Rights including Treaty Rights” and aspires to the development and implementation of an Ontario-First Nations Health Accord. Notwithstanding this aspiration, the parties agree to continue and strengthen existing government-to-government relationships regarding First Nations health in Ontario. The parties (Ontario, Canada, and COO) agree to work collaboratively in identifying and implementing practical measures in specific areas over the short term to begin to address the health program and service gaps that exist while exploring ways to continue and strengthen the government-to-government relationship over time.
The parties agree that the TFNHSOC will develop approaches to protect and promote the health of First Nations people by:
- undertaking targeted activities in the priority areas of mental health and addictions with a focus on prescription drug abuse; public health; diabetes prevention and management; and data collection and analysis;
- collaboratively identifying health service gaps for First Nations people living on-reserve in relation to identified priority areas;
- advancing the availability and effectiveness of services for and within First Nations communities in Ontario;
- improving the integration and coordination of federally and provincially funded health services for First Nations communities in Ontario which focus on improving health outcomes;
- providing practical recommendations on how to improve collaboration on federally and provincially funded health services in the identified priority areas for First Nations communities in Ontario ; and
- exploring ways to continue and strengthen the government-to-government relationship between First Nations, Ontario and Canada.
- attempt to address the unique geographical and socio-economic concerns of many First Nations communities in Ontario
Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)
The NIHB Program is a national program that is designed to support First Nations people in reaching an overall health status that is comparable with Canadians.
Health Research & Data Management
The Health Research and Data Management Sector strategic directions are building upon the Chiefs of Ontario’s main objective and the Health Strategic Plan that was developed in 2009.
Mental Health & Addiction
The First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Framework (FNMWC), launched on January 28 2015, is comprehensive of mental wellness services across a continuum and outlines opportunities to build on community strengths and control of resources in order to strengthen existing mental wellness programming for First Nation communities. The establishment of the FNMWC Implementation Team (IT) has been a key component to implementation of the framework from a social determinant of health approach. The team which is co-chaired by FNIHB, the AFN and an Indigenous mental health leader, is comprised of First Nation regional representatives and Indigenous organizations with a focus on mental health and addictions, alongside other key federal departments. The team supports the ongoing implementation of the framework, and ensures transition in the system to support the provision of culturally-based, culturally-relevant and effective mental wellness services to First Nations in the coming years.
- Indigenous Wellness Framework
- History and Process
- Framework Presentation Thunderbird FNMHA
- FNMWC Presentation_Thunderbird PF_October 2015
- FNMWC Implementation Overview January 2016
- First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Summary Report_Final_EN
- First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Framework_Final_EN
- Brief Guide for Using the FNMWC Model_April 15
- 2013 07 20 Draft MW Continuum Ontario Region Report
- 20-05-2016 First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum
- 02 – FNMWC – Defining Concepts
Annual Health Forum
The Chiefs of Ontario health forum is an annual event connecting First Nations across the province on the topic of healthcare. Information about all upcoming health forums can be found on our special Chiefs of Ontario Assembly Center website.
Contact Health
Carmen R. Jones
Director of Health
Carmen.Jones@coo.org
or Alice@coo.org
(416) 597-1266
Toll-Free: 1-877-517-6527
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