Backgrounder - Protecting the Health of Aboriginal Canadians

Acting quickly to help people and communities in need
The Government of Canada is fully aware of the effects that the H1N1 flu virus is having on people in First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities. We are firmly committed to helping care for those who contract the virus and to preventing its spread.

In particular, Health Canada’s First Nations and Inuit Health Branch   and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)   have:

• collaborated with provincial, territorial, First Nation and Inuit partners to monitor the spread of the virus;
• ensured members of First Nation and Inuit communities receive timely and accurate public-health information;
• prepared to distribute the H1N1 flu virus vaccine through immunization clinics, some of which will be located on reserves;
• supplied personal protective equipment, such as face masks, for frontline healthcare providers in First Nation communities; and
• transferred physicians, nurses and other professional healthcare personnel to First Nation communities hit hard by the virus.

Guided by the Influenza Pandemic Planning Considerations in On Reserve First Nations Communities   (Annex B), the Government of Canada has also worked with many First Nations to prepare comprehensive pandemic plans and integrate those plans with provincial ones. More than 90 percent of all First Nation communities now have plans. Work continues with the remaining communities to ensure that all communities have developed and tested their pandemic plans.

Supporting the work of Health Canada and PHAC, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) plays a vital role in making sure First Nation and Inuit communities experience no disruptions to critical community services.

INAC also works with the governments of Nunavut  , Yukon   and the Northwest Territories   to ensure all Northerners can access health and emergency services that are comparable to those available in communities south of 60.

In addition, INAC’s Office of the Federal Interlocutor (OFI) for Métis and Non-Status Indians also recently invited various government departments and agencies to discuss H1N1 as it relates to urban Aboriginal and Métis communities. Participants looked at ways of enhancing awareness and outreach for the at-risk off-reserve Aboriginal and Métis populations. Additional meetings are now underway.

Helping build strong and healthy First Nation and Inuit communities
The Government of Canada also understands that dealing with immediate concerns is only one part of the challenge. First Nation and Inuit communities must be strong, healthy and prosperous – not only to prevent further flu pandemics, but also to enhance overall quality of life. That means improving the quality of education, ensuring all community members can access clean water, constructing new homes and repairing existing ones, and developing effective social services for First Nation and Inuit children and families.

The government is taking action to build strong, healthy and prosperous First Nation and Inuit communities. For example, Canada’s Economic Action Plan invests:

• $400 million to improve the quality of homes on reserves;
• $165 million to complete several water and wastewater infrastructure projects;
• $200 million to build new social housing in the North, $100 million of which is for Nunavut;
• $325 million to support partnerships and programs that deliver services to children and families;
• $200 million to construct 10 new schools on reserves and perform three major school renovation projects; and
• $150 million to construct and renovate critical community-services infrastructure such as health clinics, nurses’ residences and police stations.

These new investments complement long-term investments made during the past two years—vital investments such as:

• $270 million each year to address emergency housing needs on reserves;
• $103 million through the Building Canada Plan to build eight new schools and perform renovations on several others;
• $300 million through the Northern Housing Trust to help members of First Nation and Inuit communities purchase homes of their own; and
• $368 million to improve access to clean water in First Nation communities.

Protect yourself by learning more
The Government of Canada will continue to work hard to help members of First Nation and Inuit communities build a higher quality of life. First and foremost, Canada will continue working closely with provincial, territorial, First Nation, Métis and Inuit partners to make sure Aboriginal communities can respond quickly and effectively to help those who suffer from the effects of the H1N1 flu virus and prevent the spread of the virus.

At the same time, members of First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities are encouraged to learn more about the virus and what they can do to protect themselves from it. Visit FightFlu.ca   and find out what you can do to fight the H1N1 flu virus in your home and community.