Aboriginal Education Research Forum HOME “Shawane Dagosiwin” Aboriginal Education Research Forum Winnipeg, Manitoba June 2, 2005 Lois Edge, Senior Research Officer Michael Fisher, Research and Policy Officer

Origin & History Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, 1996 & National Forum on Health, 1997 NAHO established in 1999 with a unique structure Métis Centre formed in 2001 One of three distinct Centres within NAHO, also including: First Nations Centre & Ajunnginiq Centre (Inuit)

NAHO The National Aboriginal Health Organization, an Aboriginal designed and controlled body, will influence and advance the health and well-being of Aboriginal Peoples by carrying out knowledge-based strategies.

MHC Vision Métis Centre The Métis Centre @ NAHO is dedicated to improving the mental, physical, emotional, spiritual and social health of Métis in Canada through the advancement and sharing of knowledge in the field of Métis health.

Objectives Improve the knowledge base in Métis health Promote Métis health issues Facilitate and promote research and develop research partnerships Foster the recruitment, retention & training Métis in the delivery of health care Affirm traditional knowledge healing practices

Holistic Approach to Health Good health is determined by more than simply the absence of illness From an Aboriginal perspective, it is a balance between physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social elements

Concept of Population Health The Public Health Agency of Canada says: "[We] need to address the entire range of conditions and factors that determine health [and] the complex interactions among them..." http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ph-sp/phdd/

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS HEALTHY CHILD DEVELOPMENT Population Health Holistic Health INCOME & SOCIAL STATUS SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT BIOLOGY EDUCATION SPIRITUAL PHYSICAL EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS CULTURE SOCIAL SUPPORT MENTAL EMOTIONAL HEALTHY CHILD DEVELOPMENT PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT HEALTH SERVICES GENDER COPING SKILLS Métis Health

Métis in Canada “We are a people set apart. With one foot planted in our white European ancestry, and the other foot planted in the timeless tribal customs of the Indians, we belong wholly to neither and, as a result, hold on to each other and our traditions all the more tightly.” Senator John Boucher St. Louis, Saskatchewan

Statistics Canada’s 2001 Census Métis Identity Population Statistics Canada’s 2001 Census One in three Aboriginal people is Métis — 30% of the total Aboriginal population About 295,000 report Métis identity Fastest growing Aboriginal population High numbers live in western cities

Statistics Canada’s 2001 Census Métis Identity Population Statistics Canada’s 2001 Census Métis population much younger than the non-Aboriginal pop. Métis are highly mobile Improving levels of education, but still below non-Aboriginal pop. Levels of employment improving, but still behind general pop.

Statistics Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples Survey 2001 Health Status of the Métis Population Statistics Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples Survey 2001 Métis households twice as likely to be below suitability More Métis children live in low-income households than non-Aboriginal children Métis children almost twice as likely to live with a lone parent Growing physical health concerns, such as diabetes & arthritis

Statistics Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples Survey 2001 Health Status of the Métis Population Statistics Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples Survey 2001 Métis children are least likely to speak an Aboriginal language than other Aboriginal children A majority feel Aboriginal language retention and learning are important In a 2002 pubic opinion poll, Métis identified a loss of land and culture as significant contributors to poor health status

Métis Population Health Issues Similar health status as other Aboriginal groups but limited access to programs & services Lack of information Limited opportunity for Métis to self-identify as Métis Jurisdictional issues Lack of infrastructure, resources and funding

Métis Community Capacity Building Workshops Delivered in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan & Ontario Designed to “plant seeds of self-determination” Reflective of community needs Four modules: Health Information, Needs Assessment, Funding Proposals, Project Management & Evaluation

Métis Community Capacity Building Workshops Health Information and Research Planning and Needs Assessment Finding Resources & Developing Funding Proposals Project Management & Evaluation

Métis Health & Wellness Lies in culture, identity and traditional knowledge Evidenced in history and experiences as shared in storytelling Dependent on health of the land & water & our relationship with the environment

Métis Elders Gatherings Brings together Métis Elders, Healers and Seniors from BC, AB, Métis Settlements, NWT, Sask., MB & ON Promotion and revitalization of traditional knowledge and healing practices Language retention

Métis Elders Gatherings Traditional protocols Spirituality Ceremony Medicines

Métis Centre@NAHO Visit us on the web: www.naho.ca/metiscentre