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

2. 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)

3. 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.

4. MHC Vision Métis Centre
The Métis 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.

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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..."

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

16. 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

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

18. 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

19. 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

20. Métis Elders Gatherings
Traditional protocols
Spirituality
Ceremony
Medicines

21. Métis
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