McGuinty Government Invests Over $1.6 Million For Aboriginal Health

TORONTO, Mar 30, 2007 - The McGuinty government is providing $1,685,737 over two years for thirteen initiatives that address the disease prevention and health promotion needs of Ontario's Aboriginal communities, Health Promotion Minister Jim Watson announced today. Read More>>

National Chief says poverty and lack of access to affordable, healthy foods the main reason for First Nations childhood obesity epidemic

OTTAWA, Mar 29, 2007 - Tuesday's release of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health's report on childhood obesity, "Healthy Weights for Healthy Kids," has recognized the underlying and confounding causes of poverty that have a direct outcome in terms of prevalence for obesity for First Nations children. Read More>>

Health Agreement Signed Between Metco Ventures Inc. and Metis National Council

WINNIPEG, Mar 28, 2007 - Yesterday, Managing Director of Metco Ventures Inc. Rick Boucher, also Vice President of the Metis Nation of Alberta Region 1, and Metis National Council (MNC) Vice-President David Chartrand, MNC Minister of Health, signed a one-year Metis Health Human Resources Initiative (MHHRI) agreement providing nearly of $1.5 million to increase Alberta Metis capacity in the health field and to support Alberta Metis students in health-related career studies. Read More>>

Nak’azdli taking steps to reduce HIV risk

Mar 28, 2007 - With Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) spreading rapidly through First Nation communities, the Nak’azdli Band is taking a proactive step to educate people on the disease. Read More>>

Commons committee urges aggressive action against childhood obesity

OTTAWA, Mar 28, 2007 - More Canadian children are overweight and for the first time the country's younger generations are expected to live shorter lives than their parents due to obesity, says a new Commons committee report released Tuesday. Read More>>

Respect your Elders and the ways of old

Mar 26, 2007 - Last weekend 100 medical professionals from across Canada and around the world gathered during the Big Land Interdisciplinary Heath Conference with the goal of learning from Labrador’s Métis, Inuit and Innu Aboriginal Elders about traditional Aboriginal medicines. Read More>>

First Nations Victoria Promotes Health

Victoria, BC, Mar 25, 2007 - Victoria is taking action to try and close the health gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal British Columbians. Read More>>

Health Canada muzzles oilsands whistleblower

Mar 23, 2007 - Dr John O'Connor of Fort Chipewyan says he's got a hunch the copious amounts of arsenic dumped into the water by the project might explain why so many of his mostly aboriginal patients are presenting with cancer. Read More>>

Aboriginal group supports passage of Kelowna bill

Mar 23, 2007 - A coalition of Aboriginal organizations are applauding the passage of a private member's bill which calls on the federal government to revisit the Kelowna Accord. Read More>>

Arctic survey looks at aboriginal well-being

March 23, 2007 - Indigenous people across the Arctic feel their well-being is linked to balancing hunting and fishing with wage-earning jobs, as well as having more control over local decision-making, according to a circumpolar survey of more than 7,000 people. Read More>>

Ottawa claims progress in improving First Nations water quality

OTTAWA, Mar 22, 2007 - The federal government says there has been substantial progress in improving water quality in First Nations communities. Read More>>

Aboriginal women suffer HIV in silence

Mar 21, 2007 - Most Aboriginal women infected with HIV suffer in silence and do not get the health care they desperately need, a First Nations panel said Tuesday. Read More>>

$6 Million Invested on Improving Aboriginal Health

Mar 21, 2007 - Under the "Act Now B.C." program, the province has just announced it is putting $6 million dollars into the implementation of the First Nations Health Plan. Read More>>

Majority vote demands Ottawa honour $5-billion Kelowna Accord on native issues

OTTAWA, Mar 21, 2007 - Parliament has voted to resurrect a $5.1-billion program for First Nations health, education and housing but the minority Conservative government will ignore the measure. Read More>>

Manitoba First Nations, students react to budget

Mar 21, 2007 - It’s been called a spending spree but the 2007 federal budget signals the death of a multi-billion fund meant to assist some of Manitoba’s poorest people, charged a Manitoba First Nations leader yesterday. Read More>>

Paul Martin accuses Conservatives of ignoring impoverished aboriginals

OTTAWA, Mar 21, 2007 –The federal Conservatives have a moral duty to help Canada's impoverished aboriginals, not because it wins votes but because it's the "right thing to do," former prime minister Paul Martin says. Read More>>

Aboriginal leaders threaten 'confrontation' over budget, Kelowna Accord

OTTAWA, Mar 21, 2007 - Aboriginal leaders threatened "confrontation" over their disappointment with the federal budget as the House of Commons prepared to vote today on a bill that compels the government to implement the Kelowna Accord. Read More>>

Federal budget places patient safety at high risk for poorest communities among Canada's First Nations

OTTAWA, Mar 20, 2007 - "Yesterday's Federal Budget perpetuates discriminatory treatment of Canada's poorest communities in access to health care," says Regional Chief Katherine Whitecloud, Chair of the Assembly of First Nations' Chiefs Committee on Health. Read More>>

Natives: Little new aboriginal funding

OTTAWA, Mar 19, 2007 - The Conservative government has rejected calls from native leaders for major new social spending to address the devastating poverty on many First Nation reserves, tabling a budget that is light on new Aboriginal funding. Read More>>

Budget offers little for homeless, aboriginals

OTTAWA, Mar 19, 2007 - A furious Phil Fontaine is raising the prospect of a native backlash after Aboriginal people were all but left out of Monday's federal budget. Read More>>

Michael Kirby named to head new Canadian Mental Health Commission

TORONTO, Mar 19, 2007 - Finance Minister Jim Flaherty called for "respect and dignity" for people with mental illness as he announced in the budget Monday the establishment of a Canadian Mental Health Commission. Read More>>

Federal Budget Reduces Stigma of Mental Illness

OTTAWA, Mar 19, 2007 - Mental illness has for far too long been ignored by governments in Canada even as depression has reached epidemic proportions and Canada's suicide rate has risen to among the highest in the developed world. Read More>>

Doctors learn cultural sensitivity from Labrador elders

Mar 19, 2007 - Mary Adams, an Inuk elder from Rigolet, taught some doctors and nurses a thing or two during the Big Land Health Conference in Labrador. Read More>>

Little cash expected in Monday's federal budget for Canada's natives

OTTAWA, Mar 17, 2007 - Scant cash is expected in Monday's federal budget to ease grinding native poverty, a brush-off that former prime minister Paul Martin says would be "tragic." Read More>>

Unity on Native agenda

OTTAWA, Mar 16, 2007 - Representatives of Ottawa Native groups met yesterday at the Odawa Native Friendship Centre as part of a consultation process on the possible designation of Ottawa as an Urban Aboriginal Strategy site. Read More>>

National Chief welcomes today's 2007 Alternate Federal Budget's commitment to close the First Nations poverty gap with rest of Canada

OTTAWA, Mar 15, 2007 - The 2007 Alternate Federal Budget, released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, allocates a total of $6.1 billion in spending for First Nations over the next three years. Read More>>

Chippewas get funds for water, elders

Mar 15, 2007 - A London-area First Nation is about to get better water and more seniors' housing. Read More>>

BC contributes to aboriginal youth conference

VICTORIA, Mar, 14 2007 - The BC Government is kicking in some cash to help aboriginal youth from across Canada prepare for a healthy and successful future. Read More>>

Traditional northern foods becoming less contaminated

Mar 14, 2007 - A study by the federal Northern Contaminants Program has found reduced levels of lead and mercury in traditional foods. Read More>>

TB vaccine losing its power, study finds

Mar 14, 2007 - The bacteria used for almost nine decades to make all the world's tuberculosis vaccines may have evolved to the point where it is almost useless in combating the disease, according to a new study involving Montreal's McGill University. Read More>>

Manitoba Aboriginal group receives boost

Mar 14, 2007 - Canadian Heritage has announced funding of up to $225,000 over three years for Manitoba-based Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc. Read More>>

Stop Smoking For All The Right Reasons

SASKATOON, SK, Mar 13, 2007 - The drive is there, and so is the determination. And now after today, a Saskatoon research group aimed at getting a working stop-smoking program off the ground has some funding. Read More>>

In Search of Métis Elders

Mar 13, 2007 - The Métis Nation British Columbia is developing a Provincial Elders Committee. Read More>>

Native American artists use art and storytelling to bring cancer statistics to life

SEATTLE, Mar 12, 2007 — As an internist and health-care economist, Scott Ramsey, M.D., Ph.D., is used to looking at cancer statistics in black and white. Lately, however, he's been seeing them in shades of vibrant red and deep blue. Read More>>

Largest Ever National Inuit Elder and Youth Summit Set to Take Off in Qamani’tuaq, Nunavut

IQALUIT, Mar 12, 2007 - Qamani'tuaq, Nunavut, is hosting the National Inuit Elder and Youth Summit from March 12-16. Read More>>

Official opening of transitional homes for homeless Aboriginal people

WINDSOR, ON, Mar 9, 2007 - Representatives from the Government of Canada and the City of Windsor today joined guests, tenants and community supporters to celebrate the official opening of Biimskiinodin, a new addition to Can-Am Urban Native Homes. Read More>>

U.N. panel decries "dramatic inequalities" in Canada

GENEVA, Mar 9, 2007 - Canada needs to improve social services for its Aboriginal population, particularly native women who face persistent and marked inequalities, a United Nations panel said on Friday. Read More>>

Medical travel a stressful time for all

Mar 9, 2007 - A recent incident in Ottawa reveals the unbearable stresses that Nunavut's patient travel system imposes on patients, escorts and overloaded health workers alike. Read More>>

Nunavut's teen moms lead in repeat births

Mar 9, 2007 - Teenage girls in Nunavut are more likely to give birth to more than one baby than teenage girls anywhere else in Canada. Read More>>

We'll involve aboriginal people in IPY, Ottawa vows

Mar 9, 2007 - The Canadian launch of the International Polar Year at a ceremony in Ottawa last week means that 44 Canadian research projects will go forward over the next two years in the Canadian North, many of them in Nunavut. Read More>>

Canada and Alberta sign Aboriginal employment partnership agreements with two of Alberta's largest employers

EDMONTON, Mar 9, 2007 - Canada's New Government and the Province of Alberta today signed partnership agreements with the City of Edmonton and Capital Health to promote career and employment opportunities for Aboriginal people. Read More>>

International Women's Day 2007 - Ending Impunity for Violence against First Nations Women and Girls

OTTAWA, Mar 8, 2007 - Today marks the 32nd International Women's Day. This year's United Nations theme is Ending Impunity for Violence against Women and Girls. Read More>>

Native entrepreneur tries food for thought

Mar 8, 2007 - Fresh fruits and vegetables are scarce commodities in the remote northern community Darcy Kejick calls home. Read More>>

Combatting violence against women

Mar 8, 2007 - Unlike most other documentaries, Finding Dawn wasn't created to be shown on TV. Read More>>

Off-reserve housing fund announced

Mar 8, 2007 - A new housing initiative targeting B.C.’s off-reserve Aboriginals was announced Friday, and interest in the Chilliwack area has already begun, says Margaret Pfoh, president of Aboriginal Housing Management Association. Read More>>

Canada's New Government Supports Anishinaabe Kweg Research Project

SUDBURY, ON, Mar 8, 2007 - Tony Clement, Minister of Health and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for NorthernOntario, today announced funding of $19,140 for the Anishinaabe Kweg Research Project to study traditional Aboriginal healing methods in the treatment of issues such as family violence, mental health, substance abuse and grief. Read More>>

UNBC Prof Contributes to International Mercury Declaration

PRINCE GEORGE, BC, Mar 8, 2007 - A University of Northern British Columbia professor who worked with aboriginal communities throughout Canada's North to document the human health effects of mercury contamination has contributed to an international declaration aimed at drawing attention to the effects of mercury pollution. Read More>>

Health officials "not the drug police"

INDIAN BROOK, NS, Mar 8, 2007 - A doctor’s first duty is always to comfort, says the physician who chairs a committee looking into over-prescribing in native communities. Read More>>

Environmental assessment underway at Camp Ipperwash

IPPERWASH, ON, Mar 7, 2007 - An environmental assessment is underway at Camp Ipperwash as specialists check out exactly what is hidden behind the walls of buildings on the former army base. Read More>>

Increased Job Opportunities for First Nations and Métis People In Healthcare

Mar 6, 2007 - The Government of Saskatchewan signed a partnership agreement today to increase job opportunities for First Nations and Métis people in the province. Read More>>

Survey on First Nations diabetes unveiled on website

Mar 6, 2007 - First Nations in Canada will be able to see the true statistics about diabetes incidence thanks to the development of a new health survey. Read More>>

Health Integration Network discussion

Mar 6, 2007 - People from all across Northwestern Ontario gathered Monday via video conference to work towards a 10-year plan for the Northwest Local Health Integration Network. Read More>>

Cornelia Wieman Appointed to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Governing Council

OTTAWA, Mar 6, 2007 - The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, today announced the appointment of Cornelia Wieman to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Governing Council for a three-year term. Read More>>

Mi’kmaq drug abuse rampant

INDIAN BROOK, NS, Mar 6, 2007 — The 18 names on a piece of paper on Doreen Bernard’s kitchen table are people from this First Nations community whose deaths have been related to prescription drug use over the past few years. Read More>>

Encouraging healthy living at Dakota Tipi

Mar 5, 2007 - It was healthy living with a traditional twist as Dakota Tipi School held its second annual winter fair at the First Nation on Friday. Read More>>

Prevent it, find it, manage it, says the Health Council of Canada in its new report on chronic illness in Canada

LONDON, ON, Mar 5, 2007 - Canada can and must do a better job of preventing, identifying and managing the growing prevalence of chronic diseases, according to the Health Council of Canada's inaugural report on health outcomes. Read More>>

Aboriginal urban youth organization gets shot in the arm

WINNIPEG, Mar 5, 2007 - Ottawa will be providing a financial boost to Winnipeg-based organizations working with urban Aboriginal youth.

Charest calls on Harper to honour Kelowna aboriginal accord

PIKOGAN, QC, Mar 04, 2007 - Quebec Premier Jean Charest called Saturday on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to honour the Kelowna accord, saying the money the federal government had pledged would make a big difference in the lives of Quebec's First Nations. Read More>>

Simon applauds human dimension of polar research projects

Mar 3, 2007 - The federal government has lived up to its promise to include a human dimension in the International Polar Year research it approved, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Mary Simon says. Read More>>

Floating health lab to tour Nunavut next two summers

Mar 2, 2007 - Look for it in your community: a massive health survey called “Qanuippitali” that researchers will conduct over the next two summers across Nunavut from aboard the Amundsen, the Canadian Coast Guard’s floating laboratory. Read More>>

Diabetes soars in Ontario

Mar 02, 2007 - The number of people in Ontario with diabetes more than doubled in the decade between 1995 and 2005, according to a new study by Toronto researchers. Read More>>

Dental therapy students battle tooth decay in northern Sask.

Mar 1, 2007 - Increasingly sugary diets have been hurting teeth in northern Saskatchewan, an area where dentists are scarce. Read More>>

Inuit press rights case against U.S. over carbon emissions

WASHINGTON, Mar 1, 2007 - Northern Canadians told an international commission Thursday that carbon emissions from the United States have contributed so much to global warming that they should be considered a human-rights violation. Read More>>

First Nation suicide prevention program working: health worker

Mar 1, 2007 - A health worker in Sheshatshiu says suicide prevention programs appear to be making a difference. Read More>>

Committee endorses plan for aboriginal advisory group

OTTAWA, Mar 1, 2007 - An aboriginal affairs advisory group at City Hall is one step closer to reality after councillors on the community services committee unanimously endorsed the idea Thursday. Read More>>

Plight of natives hits home

Feb. 28, 2007 - Stirred by the suffering of Aboriginal people living on remote, dirt-poor, alcohol-ravaged reserves in Northwestern Ontario -- like Third World inhabitants within one of the world's wealthiest countries -- Canadians have flocked to their telephones and computers to donate money, merchandise, time and expertise to a budding cause among Canada's charitable and humanitarian agencies. Read More>>

Melting ice, Arctic health will get millions for International Polar Year

OTTAWA, Feb. 28, 2007 - Melting ice and Arctic health will get millions of dollars in federal funds Thursday as Ottawa kicks off International Polar Year. Read More>>

Minister Clement launches a National Healthy Pregnancy Campaign

OTTAWA, Feb. 28, 2007 - The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, today launched during a FITMOM Canada class in Ottawa, a five-week national Healthy Pregnancy Campaign to raise awareness of the health considerations for a healthy pregnancy. Read More>>

Aboriginal seniors small in number but culturally important: StatsCan

Feb. 28, 2007 - Aboriginal seniors make up a tiny percentage of the overall senior population in Canada but are a key link to culture and language in their communities, says a Statistics Canada report. Read More>>

Fight First Nations Poverty, Hargrove Urges Conservatives

Feb. 28, 2007 - The upcoming federal budget must make a long overdue financial commitment to truly fight poverty in First Nations communities across Canada, CAW President Buzz Hargrove says. Read More>>