Developing Métis Health Strategy
The Health Department is currently working to create a Métis Health Strategy that will serve as a framework and foundational strategy for the MN-S to identify gaps and priorities in Métis health, build health programming and partnerships. The Strategy will serve to increase Métis and non-Métis community engagement in health, as it is anticipated that a draft of the Strategy will be completed by September 2011, with a plan for Consultations in Métis communities in Fall 2011.
To date work to inform our health strategy has included, but is not limited to:
♦ Creation of a strengthened research culture and relationships with provincial academic and research institutions including the University of Saskatchewan Department of Academic Medicine (Dr. Viv Ramsden and Dr. Jacqueline Maurice); First Nations University of Canada, University of Regina and Indigenous Peoples Health Research Centre (Dr. Carrie Bourassa); University of Saskatchewan (Amanda LaVallee, Ph.D candidate)
♦ Creation of a Knowledge Network of Métis academics, researchers, community members to provide advice and direction to MN-S Health Department;
♦ Work to provide advocacy and awareness of Métis health issues, and to provide advice and direction to partners and stakeholders on Métis health issues, priorities and outcomes.
♦ Communicating and disseminating health department plans and updates to the community.
Community-Based Métis Health Survey
Through funding from Health Canada’s Aboriginal Health Transition Fund, the MN-S Health Department, with the help of its academic partners, recently completed the first comprehensive Métis Health study in the province of Saskatchewan entitled the Community Based Participatory Project: Engaging Individuals/ Families in the Development of Programs to Enhance Health and Well-being.
Executive Summary – MN-S – Community Based Health Study