7th Annual
ABORIGINAL HEALTH FORUM

FEBRUARY 27, 2012

8:00

Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00

Elder's Opening Prayer and Welcoming Remarks from Insight Information

9:05

Co-Chair's Opening Remarks

Marvin Fox
Part-time Blackfoot Language Instructor
Mount Royal University
Board Member, Siksika Medicine Lodge

9:15

OPENING KEYNOTE ADDRESS

BC Tripartite Health Governance

Grand Chief Doug Kelly 
Chair
First Nations Health Council

On October 13th, 2011 the government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia and the BC First Nations Health Council (FNHC) signed the Tripartite Framework Agreement on First Nations health. BC First Nations have been developing a meaningful Health Partnership with BC and Canada since 2005 through a series of key agreements. Through this Health Partnership, BC First Nations will be the first in Canada to assume control of Federally Funded health services through a new First Nations Health Authority. The creation of a First Nations Health Authority will position BC First Nations to enter into partnerships with Regional Health Authorities and provincial Health Service Organizations. Cultivating meaningful partnerships has been a critical success factor in this process of health reform. In this session Grand Chief Doug Kelly of the First Nations Health Council will share the BC approach to achieving unity among BC First Nations and productive relationships with BC and Canada.

9:45

Networking Coffee Break

10:00

Working Towards a Unified Health Care System

Rose Neufeld RN MN 
Executive Director
Aboriginal and Northern Health Office
Manitoba Health

Current research shows that the disproportionate health outcomes for Aboriginal populations can be improved through local administration of health services. In many parts of Canada, federal, provincial and First Nations governments are working together to build better linkages towards a more inclusive process for the planning, policy and delivery of health care services. Consideration of the factors such as health care utilization, sustainability and health populations point to the need for policy change and a move towards a unified health care system.

10:45

CASE STUDY

Community Based Diabetes Prevention and Management Program

Hesham Nabih 
Executive Director
Diabetes and My Nation Foundation

Diabetes and My Nation initiative is a community based health management program to achieve evidence based outcomes for the prevention and management of diabetes (Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus – T2DM) in First Nations communities. It applies culturally appropriate holistic methods that bridge between traditional and western medicines, applies conventional healthcare methods and e-health to deliver awareness, prevention, education, monitored self-management, and treatment of diabetes to all age groups.

• The model
• Implementation process
• Community and stakeholders participation
• Outcome
• Sustainability

11:30

Mobile Diabetes Telemedicine Clinic – A Successful Health Care Delivery System for Remote and Rural BC Communities

Keith G. Dawson , MD, FRCPC
University of British Columbia

12:15

Networking Luncheon

1:15

KEYNOTE LUNCHEON ADDRESS

Treatment as Prevention – a Made in BC Strategy to STOP HIV/AIDS

Julio S. G. Montaner, MD, DSc (hon), FRCPC, FCCP, FACP, FRSC, OBC 
Professor of Medicine, UBC
Chair in AIDS Research, St. Paul's Hospital Foundation
Head of Division of AIDS, Faculty of Medicine, UBC
Director, BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
St. Paul's Hospital, Providence Healthcare
Founding National Co-Director
CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network
Past-President,International AIDS Society

1:45

CASE STUDY

Honouring Life: Aboriginal Youth & Community Empowerment Strategy (AYCES)

Nicole Eshkakogan B.A., M.A. 
Senior Manager, Calgary and South - Aboriginal Health Program
Population & Public Health - Alberta Health Services

• A summary of the Aboriginal Youth and Community Empowerment Strategy (AYCES); a youth suicide prevention project which support communities to identify strengths and build capacity to contribute to well-being and resiliency of Aboriginal youth and communities
• Strengthen protective factors to contribute to health and resiliency of Aboriginal youth and communities
• Establish partnerships to support awareness, education and training in the areas of well-being and resiliency for Aboriginal youth and communities
• Establish partnerships to support research and evaluation to inform future planning

2:30

The Aboriginal Perspective on Mental Health First Aid – A Program of the Mental Health Commission of Canada

Susan Dumont, B.A. Hons. (Socio/Psych), LL.B. 
Mental Health First Aid Instructor
Privacy Lawyer, Calgary
Faculty, Banff Centre Aboriginal Leadership, Indigenous Women in Leadership

MHFA training is an evidence-based workshop covering the following:

• Mental Health and Mental Health problems
• Mood disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Psychotic disorders
• Substance related disorders and
• Community Resources

3:30

CASE STUDY

"River of Life" – Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention Program

Suzanne McLeod 
Curriculum Developer CSP
Centre for Suicide Prevention

The River of Life: Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention Program is an online prevention program developed through extensive consultation with Aboriginal Elders, service providers and community members and is targeted for those who work with Aboriginal youth.

• Background of development process
• Aboriginal historical factors
• River of Life Online course content overview
• How River of Life works with other programs (ASIST, Straight Talk)

4:15

CASE STUDY

The Purpose and Benefits of Health Fairs in the First Nation Communities

Delmar Peters 
Health Director
Swan Lake First Nation

• Purpose of Health Fairs as seen through the community service providers
• Organization and advertising
• Benefits
• Importance of addressing all age groups

5:00

Co-Chair's Summation and Conference Adjourns for the Day

FEBRUARY 28, 2012

8:00

Continental Breakfast

9:00

Remarks from Insight Information

9:05

Co-Chair's Opening Remarks

Rose Neufeld RN MN 
Executive Director Aboriginal and Northern Health Office
Manitoba Health

9:15

"Good Law is Good Medicine": The Legal and Political Landscape of Aboriginal Health in 2011

Danika Billie Littlechild 
Barrister and Solicitor

• Why does law matter when we talk about Aboriginal health and wellness?
• How can we create positive working relationships with Aboriginal communities?
• National and international legal developments – how they shape the future of Aboriginal health and wellness

10:00

The Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Unique Challenges and Resiliency

Andrea Carter 
Community Engagement Coordinator
AIDS Calgary Awareness Association

• Overview of the current situation: Over-representation of Aboriginal populations in the Canadian HIV/AIDS epidemic, with especially high incidence rates in the prairie region
• Discussion of key challenges facing Aboriginal communities and individuals at risk or otherwise affected by HIV/AIDS
• Strategies for addressing the issue: self-determination, culturally competent knowledge exchange and capacity building

10:45

Networking Coffee Break

11:00

Oral Health Disparities Between Young Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Children in Canada

Dr. Maryam Amin, DMD, MSc, PhD 
Assistant Professor and Head
Division of Pediatric Dentistry
Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry
University of Alberta

• The prevalence and severity of dental diseases among Aboriginal children
• Unique challenges that influence dental health of Aboriginal children
• Barriers to an optimal oral health
• Innovative research initiatives to improve the oral health and well being of this population

11:45

CASE STUDY

E.A.G.L.E. Circle for Women – Ending Aggression Group, Living Empowered Anger Awareness and Information Program for Women

Lenora Richardson, B.Nps. 
Program Facilitator
Sunrise - Native Addictions Services Society

The E.A.G.L.E. Circle for Women is a United Way of Calgary and Area funded program. This unique program is for women from all cultural backgrounds who want to learn about the roots of aggressive behaviour, how to express anger constructively, and how to communicate effectively. The E.A.G.L.E. Circle has been helping women for over 15 years by providing an informative, caring, supportive environment for the participants to learn, grow, and heal within themselves and their relationships. This program also examines and looks at solutions for healing "Angry Relationships".

12:30

Networking Luncheon

1:30

"Nature Deficit Disorder" – Getting Youth Outdoors, Active and Healthy

Michael Lickers. MALT 
Executive Director
Ghost River Rediscovery

This presentation will use PowerPoint, story and emergent outcomes from attendee questions and comments to:

• Share some practical and hard won lessons from the Rediscovery movement, a culturally based wilderness program developed by Aboriginal communities, tested and refined in communities and cultures around the world for 30 years
• Show how this program serves urban Aboriginal youth in Calgary and the surrounding area and contributes to changing the lives of young people whose worlds have been disconnected or misguided
• Examine the phenomena of "Nature Deficit Disorder" and the impact on our youth

2:15

The Workings and Benefits of TeleOpthalmology

Shelley Ellis, RN 
TeleOphthalmology Eye Care Nurse, TeleOphthalmology
Diabetic Retinal Screening Program
Inter Tribal Health Authority

• Mobile TeleOphthalmology Clinics on Vancouver Island
  • Discovery
  • Engagement
  • Delivery
  • Project to program

3:00

Networking Refreshment Break

3:15

CASE STUDY

Syilx Wellness Perspective

Pauline Terbasket 
Executive Director
Okanagan Nation Alliance

Vanessa Mitchell, BA
Health Hub Coordinator
Okanagan Nation Alliance

Mic Werstuik
Councillor
Westbank First Nation

• Integrated strategic focus areas
• Cultural & community assets
• Sustainability through community capacity development

4:00

CASE STUDY

C.R.O.W. Program for Men – Caring, Responsible, Overcoming, Willing

Emile Ward 
Program Facilitator
Sunrise - Native Addictions Services Society

The C.R.O.W. Group is a United Way of Calgary and Area funded program.

The program is for men from all cultural backgrounds who want to learn and heal domestic abuse in their lives and relationships. Topics include: understanding anger, understanding domestic violence, belief systems, conflict resolution, communication skills, healthy boundaries, and healthy relationships.

4:45

• Health Directors
• Directors and Managers of Community and Social Services
• Chiefs, Community Leaders and Band Council Members

From Health Service Organizations:

• Health Directors and Managers of:
  • Aboriginal/Population Health
  • Population Health
  • Chronic Disease
  • Health Promotion
• Medical Practitioners, Nurse Practitioners

• Health Canada
• Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
• Regional Health Authorities
• Federal, Provincial and Municipal Governments
• Health Focused Associations
• Consulting Companies

Okii! Tansi! Hello and Welcome!

Insight Information's 7th Annual Western Canada Aboriginal Health Forum has been developed to provide timely information on recent developments in healthcare programs and services available. We will explore the latest challenges, solutions and best practices in Aboriginal health care. Community-based and traditional approaches to healthcare that many health practitioners believe are essential to a successful health care delivery framework will be examined.

This program is intent on promoting dialogue with the faculty and conference participants, asking questions after each session and joining in on the information exchange on these important initiatives. Networking luncheons and informal breaks give you the opportunity to further discussion and establish important contacts.

The expansion and improvement of health care services for Aboriginal communities is crucial in order to address health care disparities, reduce inequities and improve health outcomes. It is important that governments and First Nations work together on this agenda. Don't miss this opportunity to hear about practical steps being taken to improve the health of Aboriginal communities and to receive the conference materials prepared by the speakers, which will be a valuable resource for future reference and use.

We look forward to your attendance and seeing you there!

Deborah F. Pace Ph.D.
Blood Nation
Clinical Consultant,
Healthy Minds/Healthy Children Clinical
Outreach Service, Alberta Health Services, Calgary Zone

Rose Neufeld RN MN
Executive Director
Aboriginal and Northern Health Office
Manitoba Health

COPPER SPONSOR

Register 3 delegates for the main conference at regular price at the same time and you’re entitled to register a fourth person from your organization at no charge. For other group discounts, please call 1-888-777-1707. All discounts must be redeemed when booking, discounts will not be valid or applied after this time.