Conference promotes understanding of treaty health rights for Indians

Page 2

An upcoming health conference in Edmonton should help Treaty 6 Indians understand more fully their treaty health rights.

"We do try to open some eyes," said Jerome Yellowdirt, Treaty 6 community health liaison officer with the Alberta Indian Health Care Commission.

"Health is a treaty right and there's a lot of areas people don't understand. Hopefully at this conference they'll understand exactly what health is all about," he said.

The medical services branch of Health and Welfare Canada tries to discourage Treaty Indians from asserting their rights, claimed Yellowdirt.

"They have tendencies of not giving full service whereas in reality they have to give full benefits and medical services."

Health is the most important aspect of community development, says Yellowdirt.

"If you're not healthy, you're not going to get educated and you're not going to have community development," he said.

"People can only make their lifestyle healthy if they work on it."

Recreation as a tool of sound health is often ignored, he noted. Many Indians abuse alcohol and drugs, because they don't know how to use their leisure time. Too few communities have recreation directors, he added.

He said 120 to 150 people are expected to attend the conference.

Richard Saunders, health liaison officer with the Assembly of First Nations, will be a key note speaker.

The Treaty 6 conference will cover a wide range of issues including optometrics, medical transportation, dental programs, Native handicapped programs, mental health, environmental health, prescription drugs, elders' care and home care.

It's being held Jan. 23-25 at the Capilano Motor Inn (9125-50th St.) in Edmonton.