South West LHIN IHSP 2010-2013, Appendix J

Appendix J

Aboriginal Population Profile

1 South West LHIN IHSP 2010-2013, Appendix J

In order to provide a picture of the health of the Aboriginal population in the South West LHIN, population and socio-economic statistics, health status indicators and off-reserve health services utilization data are presented for our Aboriginal communities. Detailed profiles for each of the five communities in the South West LHIN are also provided and contain information on the community’s culture, governance structure, available on-reserve health services and infrastructure. An Executive Summary of the Report of the Aboriginal Meeting held on April 23, 2009 in London, follows. It is important to note that the data contained within this draft report have not been validated against community based data.

Population and Socio-Economic Statistics Overall, the percentage of the Aboriginal population in the South West LHIN is slightly lower than in the province overall (1.7% versus 2.2%).1 Population and socio-economic statistics, where available, for each First Nation is presented in Table 1. There is also a significant off- reserve Aboriginal population, but more data is needed to accurately profile this population. Population Counts

Chippewas of Saugeen Munsee- Chippewas of Oneida of the 2 3 2 Nawash First Nation Delaware the Thames Thames First Nation3 First Nation3

Total Population 2175 1588 539 2363 5209

On-reserve 715 756 167 846 2030

Off-reserve 1460 832 372 1517 3179

Socioeconomic Statistics4 for On-reserve Populations

Unemployment rate 18.2% 19.7% 16.7% 10.9% NA

Education: High school 85 (11.89%) 95 (12.57%) 10 (5.99%) 110 (13.00%) NA

Undergraduate degree 40 (5.59%) 10 (1.32%) 0 (0%) 20 (2.36%) NA

Accessibility: Distance from 50-350 km 50-350 km < 50 km < 50 km < 50 km service centre (Service Centre) () (Owen Sound) (St. Thomas) (St. Thomas) (St. Thomas)

1 Indian and Northern Affairs (INAC) Adjusted rate 2 INAC 3 Data provided by First Nation 4 All socioeconomic statistics from Statistics Canada, Census, 2006 for on-reserve only. Some First Nations reserves in this LHIN have no data available due to incomplete enumeration or non-participation in the Census but likely represent substantial Aboriginal populations.

2 South West LHIN IHSP 2010-2013, Appendix J

Health Status Census and population health data are limited for Aboriginal and First Nations populations, although available data indicates that Aboriginal populations demonstrate higher burdens of illness and injury. Aboriginal communities face greater risk factors and higher prevalence rates for chronic disease, and a variety of challenges to accessing care.

Health Services Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre The Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC), a non profit corporation (2003) operates from three locations in southwestern Ontario, two in downtown London, serving approximately 14,000 off reserve people living in urban London and surrounding area, and one in Chippewas of the Thames serving the communities of Chippewas of the Thames, Oneida of the Thames and Munsee-Delaware SOAHAC offers the following health services and programs: • Primary Health Care • Traditional Healing Program • Mental Health/Crisis Program • Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle Program • Maternal and Child Health Program • Diabetes Primary Prevention Program • After School Youth Program The Centre also provides information and referral to services on and off reserve. Native language interpretation is available. SOAHAC employs 22 staff in the following positions: • Executive Director • Program Manager • Bookkeeper • Administrative Assistant • IT Support (part-time) • Traditional Coordinator • Registered Dieticians (2) • FASD Coordinator • Diabetes Prevention Coordinator • Crisis Worker • Mental Health Counsellor • Physicians (2 full-time; 2 part-time) • Nurse Practitioners (2) • Medical Secretaries (4)

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N'Amerind (London) Friendship Centre The N'Amerind (London) Friendship Centre is a charitable, non-profit organization that has served the needs of Aboriginal people who reside in southwestern Ontario for over 40 years. We are committed to the promotion of physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual well-being of Aboriginal people within the urban setting. This commitment is realized through the implementation of culturally relevant programs aimed at developing leadership through social, recreational and educational means while increasing awareness of Aboriginal heritage and identity. Since N'Amerinds' inception, various programs and services have been implemented to offer culturally appropriate, holistic models which meet the Urban populations identified needs. N'Amerind employs 32 staff and offers the following health and service programs: • Prenatal • Family Support • Akwe:go • Wasa-Nabin • Community Liaison • Healing and Wellness • Alcohol and Addictions • Wiingshk Alternative School • Dorothy Day Learning Centre • Criminal Court worker • Family Court worker • Community Justice • Life Long Care • Aboriginal Child Resource Centre (Windsor) • Urban Aboriginal Healthy Living Program • Ontario Aboriginal Health Advocacy Initiative

Kiikeewaanikaan – South West Regional Healing Lodge KiiKeeWanNiiKaan, Southwest Regional Healing Lodge & Learning Centre, is a family based healing lodge, located on Munsee-Delaware Nation, just 40 km southwest of London, Ontario. We are a specialized project with the Aboriginal Healing & Wellness Strategy and the Union of Ontario Indians. The Lodge is further designated as a Shelter through the Safe Haven Program of Indian and Northern Affairs and Canada (INAC). The third program area is Crisis Intervention through the Ministry of Health. Vision Statement: For the coming generations, KiiKeeWanNiiKaan will be a healing lodge for the recovery of Indigenous family values and structures. Through the provision of culturally- based human development programs concentrated on rebuilding and empowering individuals and families active on the Red Road, with a balanced lifestyle and a foundation of the original Teachings. Kiikeewanniikaan offers the following health programs and services: • 3 Week Residential Family Healing Program • Caregivers Program • Day Programs

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• Counselling services • Native Organization Retreats • Fasting Camp • Diabetes Family Healing Program • Crisis Intervention for three communities Munsee, Chippewa and Oneida Kiikeewanniikaan employs the following health and service staff: • Executive Director • Intake counselor • Family Counsellors (5) • Traditional Teacher(2) • Indigenous Healers (2) • Crisis Intervention Workers (3) • Program Coordinator • Program Support Staff (2) • Administrative (3) In 2008-2009, Kiikeewanniikaan served 1369 clients, 32 of whom were diabetic.

M'Wikwedong Native Cultural Resource Centre – Owen Sound Friendship Centre M’Wikwedong Native Cultural Resource Centre, is a non for profit Friendship Centre established in 2000. It was driven by a grass roots group and was established to address the social, spiritual, mental and physical needs of the urban aboriginal population and surrounding area. It is currently estimated the urban Aboriginal people in the Owen Sound area is approximately 1,500. Programs currently being provided are: • Canadian Prenatal & Nutrition Program • Community Kitchen • CAP-C program • Akwe:go Youth at risk Program (ages 7 – 12) • WasaNabin Urban Youth at risk (ages 13 to 18) • Life long care program • Ontario Early Years site M’wikwedong offers meeting space for Hearing, Healing, Hope Aboriginal Men’s program.

First Nations Community Profiles Where available, the community profiles contain general information, including culture and geography and governance structure; socioeconomic information that has not already been highlighted; and a health services profile, including health status of the population and available health services, infrastructure, facilities and health human resources.

5 South West LHIN IHSP 2010-2013, Appendix J

Chippewas of Nawash Culture and Geography The Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation occupy Neyaashiinigmiing Indian Reserve No. 27 on the eastern shore of the Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula on Georgian Bay. The nation is named "Nawash" after Chief Nawash, who fought beside in the . The present land base is 63.81 Km2. The community is approximately 26 Km from Wiarton, 64 Km from Owen Sound or 250 Km from and has approximately 2175 members, 715 whom live on-reserve. Governance Structure The Chief, Head Councillor, Council members, and Tribal Secretary are elected every two years. The last election was held on July 24, 2009 for the 2009-2011 term.24 July 2009. Health Services Profile Health Services The Chippewas of Nawash Health Centre was established to meet the health needs of the First Nation, and focuses on prevention and health promotion rather than treatment. The Centre houses the following health care providers and programs: • Health Centre Office Manager • Administration • Home and Community Care and Homemaker Coordinator • Non-Insured Health Benefits clerk • Community Health Nurse • Community Health Representatives (2) • Psychologist (once a week) • Traditional healer (approximately four times a year) Programs include: National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program, Foot clinic (once every two weeks).

Saugeen First Nation Cultural and Geography The Saugeen First Nation, located south of the approximately 40 km west of Owen Sound, Ontario, has approximately 1,588 members, 756 of whom live on reserve. The Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation and the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation share the same traditional territories in southwest Ontario. They were a part of the ancient Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibway, , and Pottawatomi. They are part of the Anishinabek Nation that occupied and controlled the Great Lakes and all the land around the lakes at the time of contact. Nawash and Saugeen First Nation share the same aboriginal and treaty rights to fish for trade and commerce (rights under section 35 of the Constitution and recognized by courts in the Jones-Nadjiwon decision of 1993). Their traditional territories also include the land under the waters of to the international boundary and the land under the waters of Georgian Bay to the mid point. Oral and documentary evidence indicates that the Saugeen Ojibway had exclusive use of these waters, primarily to engage in fishing-an activity central to their economy and culture.

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Governance Structure Saugeen First Nation has 1 Chief and 9 Councilors. Health Services Profile For the past 45 years, the Saugeen Health Centre has had a nurse and receptionist funded by Health Canada. Programs operated out of Saugeen are sourced by Federal and Provincial dollars and include: education, membership, finance, scroll, information technology, housing, Band administrator, executive staff, Chief and Council, economic development, lands and leasing, G’Shawdagawin Day Care, Kabaeashawin women’s shelter, elders facility, Mino Bimaadsawin Health Centre, employment and training centre, library, works department, fisheries department, waterworks, and water project manager. Saugeen Health provides the following services: • Home and Community Care • National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program • Community Health and Environmental Health • Building Healthy Communities – Mental Health • Maternal Child Health • Canada Prenatal and Nutrition Program • Medical Transportation • Healthy Babies Healthy Children and Brighter Futures • Chiropodist • Diabetes Program • HIV/AIDS Program • Family Violence • Parole and Probation Program • FASD • Health Canada Nurse and Receptionist • Aboriginal Head Start on Reserve

Munsee-Delaware First Nation Culture and Geography The Munsee-Delaware First Nation occupies the Muncey reserve which is located on the west bank of the Thames River, 24 km west of St. Thomas and covers 1054 hectares. The territory is home to 167 First Nation people with another 372 living off the reserve for a total membership of 539. The First Nations language is Delaware. Socioeconomic Information Three fifths of all workers are employed in the services sector, with three fifths of these in non- government service industries. The remainder is employed in forestry, agricultural and manufacturing industries. Health Services Profile Health Services Health centre staff include a Community Health Representative, National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program worker and First Nations and Inuit Health Branch Nurse (part-time). Services provided include:

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• Prenatal and postnatal care • Parenting classes and child development • Baby food making classes • Health education • Addiction programs • Home care and home visits • Immunization • Foot care • Communicable and sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS • School health services • Grief counseling • Blood sugar and blood pressure screening

Chippewas of the Thames First Nation Culture and Geography The Chippewas of the Thames First Nation occupy the Caradoc Reserve which is located 24 km west of St. Thomas on the west bank of the Thames River and covers 3646.8 hectares. The territory is home to 846 First Nation people with another 1517 living off the reserve for a total membership of 2363. Their language is Anishinabek. • Chippewa has an integrated agreement with First Nations and Inuit Health for federal health services • Chippewa is affiliated with the Union of Ontario Indians • Chippewa does have videoconference capability, but need to obtain expertise to hook up • Chippewa has satellite internet access Health Services Profile Health Services Chippewa Health employs 33 health staff in the following positions: • Health Director • Administrative Assistant • Home and Community Care (Community Health Nurse) • Community Health Nurse • Health Clerk, Non-Insured Health Benefits • Community Wellness Case Manager • Community Wellness Workers (2) • Community Health Representative/Healthy Babies Coordinator/Seniors • Community Health Representative • West Nile workers (2) (April to October) • Personal Support Workers (24) Health programs and services offered include: • Alcohol and Drug Program • Prenatal Nutrition Program • Home and Community Care Program • Nutrition Program

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• Immunization Program • Foot Care for Diabetics (visiting podiatrist each month) • SOAHAC primary health care clinic situated within the Chippewa Health Centre complements current services • Chippewa is implementing a Youth Suicide project through National Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative • Chippewa is a member of the South West Area Health Board of the Union of Ontario Indians • Non Insured Health Benefits • Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative • HIV/AIDS prevention program • Community wellness/Mental Health program • Healthy Babies/Healthy Children program • Maternal Child Health Program • Seniors Exercise program

Oneida of the Thames Culture and Geography The Oneida of the Thames First Nation, located on 5420 acres of reserve land near London, Ontario, has approximately 5,209 membe