Standing with the First Nations of Manitoba for better health, health care, and health management

At a large rally at the Legislature on Wednesday, I stood side by side with aboriginal leaders such as Grand Chiefs Ron Evans, Sydney Garrioch and Chris Henderson to speak out for better attention to the health needs of aboriginal people.

For many years, as a physician and a politician, I have worked with and for aboriginal people in Manitoba to address health concerns. As a recent example, twice this year I have visited Cross Lake First Nation because they have a health care crisis in their community. They have had a huge shortage of nurses and there has been an totally inadequate response from the federal and provincial governments (see also http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2006/09/health-care-in-cross-lake-and-four.html).

It is in the interest of all Manitobans that the health and health care needs of First Nation communities be addressed more than they are today. Poor health, whether from diabetes or any other condition, is associated with greater difficulties in achieving the highest possible quality of life. With poor health comes escalating health care costs for both federal and provincial governments. It is time to change our approach and do much better than we have done.

For years the mantra of successive provincial Conservative and NDP governments has been that First Nations health is primarily or solely a federal issue, and to use this as an excuse to avoid acting. The truth is that the health of First Nations is an issue for everyone and certainly an issue for both federal and provincial governments. Yes, part of the provincial role is to help hold the federal government accountable. But the provincial government must do much more than this. Under current agreements there are many areas of health care delivery to First Nations people which fall under provincial responsibility, even when there is a federal responsibility to cover some or all the costs.

Enough is enough. It's time the provincial government took a stand with Manitoba First Nations instead of avoiding the issue.