Many Hands, One Dream Partnership
Many Hands, One Dream is a collaborative initiative aimed at building a new vision of health that has First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families at its core. The Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) is one of more than 11 national organizations, including the NCCAH, involved in a long-term strategy to reduce the health inequities facing Aboriginal children and youth in Canada.
The Many Hands, One Dream partnership was formed in 2005 after more than 160 Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal health professions, community leaders, teachers, social workers, parents and others gathered at a national summit in Victoria, BC in 2005. We invite you to read the Many Hands, One Dream quarterly newsletter for information about upcoming events, initiatives, success stories and other news from organizations and communities across Canada. Click here to sign up.
Many Hands, One Dream Partners include:
Jordan's Principle
The organizations involved in the Many Hands, One Dream are promoting a national advocacy campaign to encourage provincial and territorial governments to adopt a child-first principle to resolving jurisdictional disputes involving the care of First Nations children.
A recent research report indicates that jurisdictional disputes involving the costs of caring for First Nations children are common, with nearly 400 occurring in 12 sample First Nations child and family service agencies in just one year. Jordan's Principle honours a young First Nations child from Norway House Cree Nation, Man., who was born in 1999 with complex medical needs and languished in hospital for years while the federal and provincial governments disputed who would pay for his at-home care. Jordan died in hospital at age five, and did not spent a day in a family home.
In December 2007, members of Parliament voted unanimously in support of a private member's bill to adopt Jordan's Principle. Under “Jordan's Principle,” children would no longer face delays or disruptions in essential medical and health services while governments argue over who will pay the bill.
For more information on Jordan's Principle, please visit the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada.
Network Environments for Aboriginal Research BC
A BC-based website, widely recognized for its timely information on Aboriginal research issues, access to research databases, and regular enews bulletins, will continue to provide its services thanks to the support of the NCCAH. Although funding for the Network Environments for Aboriginal Research BC ceased April 1, 2010 the program will continue through the Centre for Aboriginal Health Research (CAHR) at the University of Victoria, B.C. NEARBC's resources include an Aboriginal Health Abstract Database organized by categories that include: mental health, injury and suicide, child and maternal health, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, and chronic disease, diabetes, tobacco and infectious diseases. It also provides acccess to an on-line health e-library and free electronic journals
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
The mandate of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is to learn what happened in government-funded, church-run Indian residential schools and inform all Canadians about its findings.
Background
More than 130 residential schools, dating from the 1870s, were located across the country. The last school closed in 1996. During this era, more than 150,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children were placed in residential schools often against their parents' wishes. Many were forbidden to speak their language and practice their own culture. The impacts of residential schools have been felt throughout generations and have contributed to social problems that continue to exist. Arising out of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, the largest class-action settlement in Canadian history, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada is seeking to help heal the harm caused.
National Apology
An estimated 80,000 former students are living today. On June 11, 2008, the Prime Minister, on behalf of the Government of Canada, delivered a formal apology in the House of Commons to former students, their families, and communities for Canada's role in the operation of the residential schools.
The Work of the Commission
The Commission will document the truth of what happened by relying on records held by those who operated and funded the schools, testimony from officials of the institutions that operated the schools, and experiences reported by survivors, their families, communities and anyone personally affected by the residential school experience and its subsequent impacts. The Commission hopes to guide and inspire First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples and Canadians in a process of truth and healing leading toward reconciliation and renewed relationships based on mutual understanding and respect.
Please visit the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada for more information on events, activities, reports and processes.