Nov-17-2011 Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology

Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology

November 17, 2011
 
Speaking Notes for Udloriak Hanson, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
 
Ullaakut.  Ulluriangujunga.
 
Nunavummiutsajajunga.
 
Quviasuktunga Tamaaniigunnarama.
 
Qujannamiiglu apirijaulaurama.  Elizabeth Fordlu.
 
Thank you for the invitation to appear today. I am Special Advisor to the President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. 
 
I would also like to introduce my colleague Elizabeth Ford, ITK’s Director of Health and Social Development. 
 
The work of our organization centres on ensuring that Inuit interests are reflected in national policies affecting the Arctic, and spearheading initiatives that unite our four regions. 
 
We are pleased to provide you today with our views on progress to implement the 10-Year Plan to Strengthen Health Care.
 
As you know, this plan was the result of a 2004 meeting between Provincial and Territorial Premiers, National Aboriginal Leaders, and the Prime Minister of the day the Right Honourable Paul Martin.
 
It wasn’t billed as a First Ministers Meeting, but ITK’s President at the time, the late Jose Kusugak, famously told the assembled group of leaders:
 
“If it walks like a First Ministers Meeting and acts like a First Ministers Meeting … and smells like a First Ministers Meeting (here Jose lifted his head and sniffed the air) … then it must be a First Ministers Meeting.”
 
It was at this meeting that First Ministers and Aboriginal leaders agreed that we need an action plan to improve health services for Aboriginal Canadians…
 
They recognized that all governments have an important role to play in improving the health and the delivery of health services to Aboriginal people.
 
Inuit are facing serious … and in some cases escalating … health issues – on a scale experienced by very few other Canadians.
 
For example:
 
  • Life expectancy in the four regions that make up our homeland is an average of 12 years lower than it is in Canada as a whole – and this gap is widening 
  • The rate of tuberculosis for Inuit is 127 times the Canadian-born non-Aboriginal rate
  • Infant mortality in our regions is almost 3 times higher than in Canada as a whole
  • And the suicide rate for Inuit is 11 times the national rate
 
As a direct result of that meeting in 2004, ITK worked in partnership with federal, provincial and territorial governments and other Aboriginal organizations to develop a Blueprint on Aboriginal Health that outlines ways that we can all work to transform health outcomes.
 
Key to transforming health outcomes is addressing the social determinants of health – factors such as clean water, education, adequate housing and access to nutritious food, that all play an essential role in physical health.
 
For Inuit, this is one of the most important components of the Blueprint. It is also one of the least advanced.
 
Housing, for example, notwithstanding the Blueprint’s commitment to funding for infrastructure, remains far below national standards across our regions.
 
All the key indicators – space per person, safety, affordability, and so on – lag behind the national norms.
 
Thousands of new units are needed and thousands more need major repair.
 
It is hard not to be discouraged by this, when we know that overcrowded and substandard housing contributes directly to poor mental health and our extremely high TB rates.
 
Another part of the Blueprint addresses engagement and inclusivity. Critically, it emphasizes that Aboriginal organizations must work “as equal members” with federal, provincial and territorial governments.
 
Unfortunately this has often translated into a pan-Aboriginal approach, which does not serve Inuit interests, or may not lend enough time and consultation for effective engagement.
 
First Ministers and Aboriginal Leaders did in fact recognize in the Blueprint that public health issues for Inuit, Metis and First Nations are very different, and that…
 
“Inuit-specific strategies must be adopted to accommodate the unique conditions of Arctic environments, the distinctive features of Inuit culture,” … and the requirements of land claims agreements.
 
Furthermore, the Blueprint obliges governments to ensure that a continuum of mental health care is made available to Inuit in, or close to, their home communities. 
 
Inuit are in a state of deep and protracted mental health crisis – and such services have never been more urgent.
 
There remains a pressing need for mental health infrastructure and services, including counseling and addictions treatment centres in the Arctic. 
 
We believe these problems are so severe that there must be immediate dialogue among Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers of Health to consider immediate intervention in some communities.
 
Two other initiatives arising from the Blueprint provided some welcome results for Inuit.
 
The Aboriginal Health Transition Fund allowed Inuit to implement projects to improve the integration of F/P/T-funded health systems, and adapted existing health programs and services to better serve the needs of Inuit.
 
It also helped increase participation of Inuit in the design, delivery, and evaluation of health programs and services, and created several new “Inuit Regional Engagement Coordinator” positions.
 
Unfortunately, the program proved to be unsustainable – projects created under the initiative are no longer being funded.
 
The Aboriginal Health Human Resources Initiative allowed for progress in a number of important areas including community-based worker training and health career promotion.
 
But it too suffers from a one-size-fits-all pan-Aboriginal focus.
 
Going back to the goals of First Ministers and Aboriginal Leaders in 2004 … the Blueprint was meant to be a ‘transformative’ plan.  It is a solid document that sets out a solid framework but as the title also suggests…it is a “Work in Progress.”
 
Specifically, the recommendations on mental health and housing, and on creating Inuit-specific systems – require more work and more progress. 
 
The message I would like to leave you with today is that Inuit are committed to working with governments to take direct and immediate action on implementing these recommendations.
 
In concluding my remarks, I thank you once again for your invitation today; we will do our best to respond to any comments or questions you may have for us.
 
Qujannamiik.
 
Content Categories