Manitoba chiefs ratify health agreement

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Self-government in Manitoba came one step closer to realization after provincial chiefs approved a framework agreement on health care services for their people.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs ratified the Health Framework Agreement for First Nations Peoples in Manitoba at a two-day conference on First Nations Health held at Dakota Tipi First Nation Aug. 30.

The agreement is the end product of a process started in February 1991 involving six drafts and years of discussions under the direction of the Chiefs Health Committee and with the federal health minister.

John Robson, health co-ordinator for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs aid once the process is in place, First Nations will be governing the provision of health services themselves - they will be making decisions about how their health care system will work.

"This resolution authorizes Grand Chief Phil Fontaine to work with Ottawa to get the necessary administrative and fiscal resources in place for phase two, "said Chief Sydney Garrioch of Cross Lake First Nation, a committee member.

The agreement includes nine fundamental principles, one of which includes federal government commitment "to seek the advice of Treaty First Nations on how to achieve a mutually acceptable process to interpret the treaties in contemporary terms, while giving full recognition to their original spirit and intent."

Fontaine told the assembly and audience of more than 200 that this reference to spirit and intent is intrinsic not only in the health framework process, but also in other dismantling initiatives.

"In my view, there is sufficient protection for our treaty rights including very specific reference to a contemporary interpretation of the spirit and intent of our treaties, something that we've never been able to get government to acknowledge. We have this time."

The objective to be followed for the implementation phase of the agreement are to develop and describe the types of health systems by which the First Nations of Manitoba and their organizations will govern and deliver health care services. They will define government roles in relation to those systems, develop possible future relationships between First Nations and non-Aboriginal health care systems, inventory existing services and identify the steps and authorities required to transfer regional federal health care responsibilities to First Nations health authorities.

Concerns about the lack of a time frame were raised before ratifying the agreement but Garrioch explained that that was done purposefully because the second phase may take longer than phase one's three and a half years.

Fontaine added they wanted optimum flexibility and as much time as needed to negotiate an agreement acceptable to all First Nations.

Among other concerns, Doug Hastings, councillor with health portfolio from Gods Lake Narrows emphasized the need for ongoing consultation with First Nations communities to discuss serious health care deficiencies.

"Major emphasis must be placed on consultation with the grassroots community to find out their many local needs."

Although there were concerns regarding most of the principles and objectives of the framework's phase one, Garrioch said the interpretation of health care as a treaty right as defined by First Nations people and the scrutiny of existing provincial and federal services will probably take up most of the second phase discussions.

Ed Primrose, councillor with health portfolio from Nelson House First Nation told Windspeaker that it was important to keep people at the community level informed of the progress in agreements in connection with dismantling of Indian Affairs.

While the second day of the conference was slated for the Health Framework Agreement, the first day was devoted to providing orientation on the work of the Joint assembly of First Nations/Medical Services Branch Task Force on Future Management

of Non-insured Health Benefits. These include vision care, dental cre, drugs, medical transportation and medical equipment.

"Many people expressed concerns over the hardships and restrictions regarding present policies," said Garrioch, also co-chairperson of the national task force. "With the establishment of the joint task force with five Assembly of First Nations representatives and five Medical Services Branch representations, we're trying to put principles in place acceptable for First Nations people who will all be given the opportunity to provide specific areas of concerns."