President's Update on Metis Rights Page 14 - 15 ISSUE NO. 84, MARCH 2015 MÉTIS NATION OF ONTARIO HEALTH SUMMIT 2015 MNO On Cutting Edge Of Métis Health Research MNO President Gary Lipinski addresses the 2015 MNO Health Summit Full coverage on pages 3 through 8 Summit attracts key researchers and elected offi cials A BEAUTIFUL GIFT SIERRA NOBLE TO DR. JANET SMYLIE PAGE 2 HEADLINE PAN AM TO ADDRESS GAPS INSIDE GAMES ABORIGINAL IN INDIGENOUS PAVILION HEALTH RESEARCH PAGE 11 PAGE 24 40025265 M V 2 March 2015, Issue no. 84 T M V FAMILY W , N. Produced by the Métis Nation of Ontario Communications Branch: The Christmas Julie Cruikshank Mike Fedyk Marc St. Germain Métis sash Sara Kelly submitted by | Tammy Webb, MNO Manager of Labour Market Contributors Aly Alibhai hirley Folz was presented Anne-Marie Armstrong with a Métis sash by her Jodi Blue granddaughter, Shawna Jack Bouchard S Hansen, this past Christmas. Jerry Clarke Shawna is the niece of Tammy Jocelyn Dupuis Beth Honsberger Webb, Métis Nation of Ontario Alis Kennedy Manager of Labour Market. Geoff Koehler Attached to the sash was the Barb Lair following letter: Cyndy Laliberte Gerald Lavallee Bernard Leroux Gary Lipinski Glen Lipinski Robynn Maluga-Sadler Sharon McBride Joanne Meyer Jonathan Migneault Tina Nichol Joseph Paquette Jon Rochon Genevieve Routhier Hank Rowlinson Susan Schank Raymond D. Tremblay Don Trout Anne Trudel Victoria Vaughn Tammy Webb Submissions: Shirley Folz (left) proudly wears the sash that her Communications Branch granddaughter Shawna Hansen (right) made her Métis Nation Of Ontario for Christmas. 500 Old St. Patrick Street, Unit D Ottawa ON K1N 9G4 [email protected] Publication #: Pm 40025265 Submission Policy: MNO encourages contributions from MNO citizens and staff. 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Call 1-855-798-1006 ext 2 or send an email to [email protected] M V March 2015, Issue no. 84 3 NATION MÉTIS NATION OF ONTARIO A panel of experts addresses delegates at the MNO Health Summit. HEALTH SUMMIT 2015 MNO on cutting edge of Métis health research Distinctive Métis approach impresses experts by | MNO Staff ver 200 delegates from 42 different ential audience to Toronto for the three-day that lead to chronic disease and mental health zens from across Ontario were in attendance, agencies attended the 2015 Métis Summit was ground-breaking research car- disorders in Métis people; the importance of providing valuable insights into how the re- ONation of Ontario (MNO) Health ried out by the MNO Chronic Disease Sur- concentrating on preventative measures to search should be interpreted to better serve Summit (the Summit), February 22-24 in To- veillance Program in concert with a num- avoid chronic and emergency health situ- Métis. MNO President Gary Lipinski stressed ronto. Delegates represented non-profi t or- ber of key partners including most notably ations; and the need to reduce barriers that the importance of MNO citizens being a part ganizations dedicated to disease prevention the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences prevent those in remote communities from of these discussions. and cures, hospitals and other health insti- (ICES) and Cancer Care Ontario (CCO). accessing healthcare services. The data dem- “We know that access to timely care and tutions, government ministries and agencies, The research provided the latest available onstrates that signifi cant health disparities treatment is a particular challenge facing universities and colleges, Local Health Inte- data on coronary heart disease, diabetes, can- exist between Métis and the general Ontario Métis, and that is why it is important for the gration Networks, Aboriginal organizations cer, respiratory disease, musculoskeletal dis- population. A summary of the research can MNO to be at the right policy tables,” he said. and consulting groups. These representatives ease, renal disease, mental health, and health be found on page 6. “Systems change, and seamless health care is included medical doctors, university profes- risk factors in the provincial Métis popula- A major feature of the research was its essential in increasing earlier diagnosis and sors and researchers, government policy mak- tion. During the Summit, three main themes distinctive Métis approach, which included treatment.” ers and elected offi cials. emerged, with speakers and panellists focus- taking into account the unique history and What drew this distinguished and infl u- ing on recognizing the distinct risk factors culture of Ontario Métis. MNO staff and citi- (Cont’d on page 4) M V 4 March 2015, Issue no. 84 HEALTH SUMMIT 2 3 4 1 - Métis singer-songwriter Amanda Rheaume opened the summit with a selection of her award- winning music. 2 - A panel of experts, led by MNO Senior Policy and Research Analyst Storm Russell (second from left), discussed the research fi ndings. 3 - (L-R) MNO Community Wellness Worker Donna St. Jules; MNO Community Wellness Worker Heather Briel; MNO Healing and Wellness Violence Against Aboriginal Women Coordinator Sahra McLean; PCMNO Youth Representative Mitch Case. 4 - President Lipinski (centre) with MNO Chair France Picotte (left) and Deborah Richardson 1 (right), Deputy Minister of the Ontario Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs. Summit stresses importance of Métis way-of-life (Cont’d from page 3) elivering the Summit’s food sources changing,” he said, istered as First Nations. As a Métis opening prayer, Provisional Council Scott Carpenter, MNO Manager keynote address, Presi- noting the effects of more fast food person with a family heritage he of the MNO (PCMNO) Executive of Education, Way of Life and Spe- Ddent Lipinski encouraged and sugar being introduced into was proud of, this was unacceptable Senator Reta Gordon expressed the cial Projects provided an impres- those assembled to be mindful of the Métis diet—effects that lead to him and so he was faced with the cultural sovereignty and pride of sive display of Métis handicrafts, the unique challenges experienced to chronic health conditions such choice of either losing his cultural the Métis people, thanking the Cre- artwork, and historical artefacts by the Métis both historically and as obesity and diabetes. “Those identity to access lifesaving medi- ator for bringing the assembled at- that greeted conference-goers as today. He presented a comprehen- struggles of the past, people think cations or to die proudly as Métis. tendees together. “To be Métis,” she they arrived. Métis youth fi ddler sive overview of Métis history, in- that’s history and that’s behind us “Is this really an option?” President said, “is to be blessed with the fruit Alicia Blore further livened up the cluding the infl uence of the fur but it isn’t. This history connects Lipinski asked. of not one but two family trees; not crowd by playing several high-en- trade and the landmark Powley and us to where we are today, halved but doubled, ergy waltzes and jigs. Daniels cases. He also spoke of eth- and it really determines being twice blessed.” A session on Métis history and nogenesis—the process by which where we go forward.” We know that access to timely The opening re- way-of-life was led by Dr. Brian cultures are formed—and how in President Lipinski ception featured Tucker, MNO Associate Director the case of the Métis this has in- went on to explain how care and treatment is a particular award-winning of Education and Way of Life and volved not only the formation of government refusal to singer-songwriter and Margaret Froh, LLB., Director of traditions and values informed by recognize the Métis as a challenge facing Métis, and that is MNO citizen Amanda Strategic Policy, Law and Compli- mixed European and Aboriginal distinct people has had Rheaume, whose ance, which provided delegates heritage, but also by a long history far-reaching effects on why it is important for the MNO emotional ballads with the broad context for under- of fi ghting the courts and the Ca- the health of MNO citi- drawing on her fam- standing the significance of the nadian government for recognition zens. As an example, he to be at the right policy tables.” ily history, provided health research within the Ontario as a distinct people and the ability told the story of a Métis delegates with an- Métis narrative. A panel composed - Gary Lipinski to exercise traditional rights such as man who served as a other way to connect of front-line MNO staff related sto- harvesting. witness during the Pow- with Métis culture. ries from community members “As we move into the modern ley case and who had developed a Considering the importance Expressing similar sentiments in about the unique health challenges era with restrictions that are im- heart condition. The government, of Métis culture and way-of-life his closing prayer, PCMNO Senator experienced by the Métis. posed on us, governments failing President Lipinski said, told this to the research, it was natural that Rene Gravelle, urged everyone to to recognize our legal and consti- man that the medication he needed these were highlighted throughout give more love to their families and tutional right to harvest, we see would be covered but only if he reg- the MNO Health Summit.