Soleil levant hiver 2014 ENG.pub

MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL DIRECTOR
Mrs. Marjolaine siou ï
Defending our rights in health and social services
for nearly 20 years!
ur team has been super busy over the past few
months. In this issue you will find several articles on
the training that you or your team members have
participated in, updates on the different projects we
are working on and new publications of interest.
And finally, I’d like to invite you to celebrate the 20th
anniversary of the FNQLHSSC! From now through July 9,
information capsules will be posted weekly on our website to highlight our progress and commemorate the
projects that have been completed over the years!
Among which, we’d like to make a special mention of
several briefs, including one on racism, one on the Green
Paper on sport, recreational and physical activity and
another on the lives of people living in nursing homes.
These documents have exposed the reality of the vast
majority of First Nations and have raised awareness of
the diversity that exists between the different Nations,
the communities and the Quebec network. Defending our
rights and our interests is paramount and it is essential to
outline the issues and challenges we face in health and
social services, particularly in regard to access to services. In fact, it is by working on the social determinants
of health that we make a real contribution to improving
the living conditions of our people.
Happy reading!
The year 2014 has already seen the implementation of
new initiatives and the launch of new projects such as the
promotion of the social economy in the communities, the
deployment of the First National Regional Early Childhood, Education and Employment Survey (FNREEES), the
creation of a committee of experts in public health, and
others. You can learn more about our activities and our
services by contacting us or by visiting our website at
www.cssspnql.com.
Based-needs trainings ...................................... page 2
Important gatherings ........................................ page 3
News .................................................................... page 6
Events to come................................................. page 35
Staff news ........................................................ page 36
BASED-NEEDS TRAININGS
Sexual health
An anticipated training
From November 5 to 7, a training on sexual health
that was organised by the FNQLHSSC took place in
Quebec City.
This training brought together approximately sixty workers from the health and social services and education
sectors, representing 9 Nations and 23 communities. The
objectives of this training were to facilitate linkages between these two sectors and provide the workers with
tools to support their interventions among various clienteles, particularly the youth. The comments that were
received suggest that these objectives were achieved!
"Meeting with other interveners was beneficial. It is nice
to exchange experiences and knowledge."
“I feel much better equipped to work with young people,
especially for prevention purposes.”
Subjects discussed
 Discussing sexuality
with teens
 Online seduction
 Child sexual health
 Update on STBBI
 Harm reduction
Participants from different horizons
The diversity of the subjects and the skills of the presenters
enabled the participants to update their knowledge. The
training also gave them the opportunity to discover new
resources and practical tools for working with the youth,
in addition to validating for some what is already being
done in their communities. Finally, many participants
appreciated discussing and networking with others which
provided an opportunity to break the isolation.
 Art as therapy
 Healthy and unhealthy
 Presentation of the
application Sexposer
from the Portail VIH/
sida du Québec
relationships
 Teen pregnancy
Badge-making workshop:
Creation time!
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iSMAF software training for
residential care facilities
in seven communities
The Functional Autonomy Measurement System (SMAF) is
an instrument developed to measure the functional abilities of the elderly and the handicapped. It is integrated
into the Multiclientele Assessment Tool (OEMC) already
used in our communities.
The SMAF approach includes a range of computerized
tools grouped under iSMAF web software. It serves to
enter information and tap into SMAF data from any
computer with Internet access.
Funding was proposed by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada to implement iSMAF software
in seven communities with seniors’ residences. Software
implementation along with a five-day training session
was provided by instructors from the Centre d’expertise
en santé de Sherbrooke (CESS). A total of 19 people
completed the training last October in Québec City and
Montréal.
iSMAF software generates different reports per user or
groups of users. This helps clinicians to focus on the users’
needs, and managers to better organize the work of the
health care team. Finally, the reports support the clinicians and managers in their clinical and administrative
decision making.
IMPORTANT GATHERINGS
Vascular 2013: Good for your health
Last October, the Vascular 2013 Conference was held in
Montreal.
Four Canadian congresses - the Canadian Cardiovascular
Society, the Canadian Diabetes Association / Canadian
Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the Canadian
Stroke Network and Hypertension Canada - stood together as part of this exceptional event which constituted an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen
the sense of solidarity between specialties. Physicians,
scientists, clinicians, nurses, teachers, health professionals in
related fields and decision-makers were in attendance.
Cardiovascular diseases are the result of abnormal blood
vessels in the entire body. Stroke, heart attacks, heart
failure, kidney disease, dementia and certain eye and
lung diseases are cardiovascular diseases. The common
risk factors for most cardiovascular diseases (hypertension,
diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and obesity) can be influenced by modifiable behaviours that have an impact on
health such as poor nutrition, smoking,
lack of physical activity, stress and excessive alcohol consumption.
A call to action for cardiovascular health
is a direct result of this first national congress. The declaration encourages all sectors in the country to unite and take
action. You can learn more about it by visiting the following
link: http://www.canadianstrokenetwork.ca/wp-content/
uploads/2013/10/VascularDeclaration_ENG-1.pdf
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Social Services Forum
Interveners gathered
for wellness
The First Nations of Quebec Social Services Forum was
held in Quebec City from January 28 to 30. Approximately 80 interveners and managers of social services
from across Quebec were present. Participants attended
several presentations on various topics, for example
Fruitful discussions took place
during the oriented forum.
clinical supervision, parents rights and confidentiality,
strength model approach, etc. Interveners also shared
promising practices in place in their communities. They
also talked about their experiences during an oriented
forum on intersectorial action.
Beautiful paddles were offered
to presenters of promising practices.
Participants attended a culture-filled banquet during which
dancing and singing occupied a place of honor.
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Reflections and sharing of good practices:
breastfeeding, a gift for life
A meeting focused on good practices in the area of
breastfeeding promotion and support was held in
Wendake last November 26, 27 and 28. Approximately forty participants from 17 communities attended the
event.
According to the data derived from the First Nations
of Quebec Regional Health Survey - 2008, 35.4% of
the children were breastfed. Among these children,
37.2% were breastfed for more than six months.
The FNQLHSSC therefore organised this meeting in order to discuss the current challenges that the communities
are faced with in this area and highlight possible
adapted solutions and appropriate forms of support.
In order to share with the participants the keys to their
successes, two communities presented their breast-
From left to right: Joyce Bonspiel Nelson from
Kanesatake; Georgina Whiteduck from Rapid Lake;
Crissann Thompson, Karen MacInnes and Karennahawi
McComber from Kanesatake and Diane De Berardinis
from Health Canada feeding practices. Kanesatake described its journey to
obtain official recognition from the World Health
Organization’s Baby Friendly Initiative (see separate
article on next page). Participants were informed of
the tools that have been developed and culturally
adapted in order to support them in workshops to
promote breastfeeding. The community of Listuguj presented the way in which it integrated the promotion
and support of breastfeeding through the Maternal
and Child Health Program.
Wonderful exchanges took place and great reflections emerged from this meeting, which aimed to allow
the participants to draw inspiration from winning initiatives related to the development of strategies to
support breastfeeding and thus increase the breastfeeding rates to contribute to the healthy development of babies.
Participants enjoyed
interesting presentations
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NEWS
The Kanesatake Health Centre
A first in
The Kanesatake Health Centre has been certified as a
Baby Friendly institution. Baby Friendly is a program to
promote breastfeeding that was established in 1991 by
UNICEF and the World Health Organization.
left behind by the residential schools among Aboriginal
parents.”
This is the first Aboriginal health centre in North America
to receive this recognition. Karen MacInnes, maternal
health nurse, emphasised with pride that, during the certification progress, “90% of women are breastfeeding
at birth, and 90% of these women are breastfeeding for
six months or more.”
In Kanesatake, the promotion of breastfeeding is not
something new. In the late 1990s, Jane Banks, a nurse,
established a program to promote breastfeeding
named Ka’nisténhsera Teiakotihsnie’s, which means
“the one who helps the clan mother.” This program
was based on the application of cultural competencies
and capacity-building using the strengths present in
each individual. Then, approximately ten years later,
in order to obtain certification, the health centre took
many measures such as:
What is the Baby Friendly Initiative?
The Baby Friendly Initiative encourages hospitals and
clinics to implement a dozen conditions for successful
breastfeeding. In the Aboriginal communities, it has been
noted that they “have enabled women to regain their
place within their communities, while healing the wounds
The long road to certification
 Staff training;
 The founding of a peer support group for breast-
feeding mothers;
The press conference was filled with pride and emotion.
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certified as “Baby Friendly”:
North America!
 Intergenerational gatherings;
In the future, support for other communities
 Various partnerships (e.g. with Saint-Eustache hospital
The next step for the Kanesatake Health Centre will
be to complete the development of a toolkit to support other communities that wish to become “Baby
Friendly”. It will contain an educational breastfeeding
module, prenatal course activities and an inspiring
video entitled “Breastfeeding: laying the foundation
for a healthy community”.
and the Direction de santé publique des Laurentides).
Thus, the community has experienced substantial increases
in breastfeeding and breastfeeding duration rates. In
fact, these rates exceed Quebec’s rates.
Benefits for all
Karennahawi McComber, a woman in the support group,
believes that she has seen the program’s considerable
potential for the community and the long-term benefits
for health and wellness. “I sincerely believe that we can
heal our nation, one breastfed baby at a time.”
Based on an article by Josiane Yelle that was published in the L’écho de
Saint-Eustache
Women from the peer support group highlighted
the benefits of the initiative.
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Autonomy insurance
Access for all?
Fact or fiction...
In response to the white paper on the creation of an
autonomy insurance, last November 12, the AFNQL and
the FNQLHSSC presented and submitted to the Assemblée nationale du Québec a brief entitled "Access for
all? Fact or fiction..."
Indeed, in May 2013, the Minister responsible for health and social services
as well as seniors, Mr. Réjean Hébert,
published the white paper on the creation of an autonomy insurance aiming to
adapt the health system to the aging of
the population. More specifically, the project is intended for all people of Quebec
who are dealing with disabilities, whether
these are due to aging or a handicap.
This approach provides for a dissemination of
the project and a parliamentary commission
aiming to consult with the players and organisations. Then, the financial, administrative and
legislative parameters will be analysed and
presented to the Assemblée nationale in the
form of a bill entitled Politique nationale de soutien à
l’autonomie (unofficial translation: autonomy support
national policy) for which implementation is planned for
spring 2014.
The First Nations communities operate in a complex
environment in which both levels of
government have responsibilities in
the area of health and social services with respect to the population.
It is for this reason that the
FNQLHSSC, supported by the
Chiefs of the AFNQL, maintains
that the First Nations must be
involved in all phases of the Quebec government's project.
The FNQLHSSC is currently
analysing the impacts of the
future autonomy insurance that
will result from the white paper
on the First Nations of Quebec,
with the exception of the Cree
and Inuit Nations. It wants to ensure
that the First Nations will have access to services that
are comparable to existing services, through the harmonisation of the provincial and federal programs and the
implementation of a continuum of care.
Let’s fight against poverty and social exclusion!
Since October 2013, the non-treaty First Nations communities and the Naskapi Nation have had the opportunity
to access funding for projects aiming to fight against
poverty and social exclusion through the First Nations
component of the Fonds québécois des initiatives sociales
(FQIS). This fund was established by the FNQLHSSC
under the Alliance for Solidarity with the ministère de
l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale (MESS). The community
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projects must be supported by the band council by way
of resolution or letter of support. The projects must be
submitted before March 31, 2014. For more information,
please contact Mr. Patrick Bacon, Fight Against Poverty
Initiative Advisor, either by email at [email protected] or by telephone at 418-842-1540,
ext. 258.
Important Changes
to Walgwan Center
The Walgwan Center would like to advise you
that it will be going through some
important changes. These changes are
being proposed mainly due to two very
important reasons: for client retention
and to better serve the youth.
It is the mandate of the Walgwan Center
to provide services to both French speaking and English speaking First Nations
and Inuit youth. Therefore in an effort to
provide equality of services to both
French and English speaking youth the
center is modifying the delivery of its program. It will
now be proceeding with French speaking and English
speaking blocks. They will no longer be doing continuous
intake.
The program is being modified from a 6 month program
to a 3 1/2 month program. This length of program is
consistent with the majority of YSAC treatment
centers where considerable success has been
experienced in the shorter program.
As part of its new continuum of care program, the Walgwan Center will be providing the services of an outreach worker
before and after treatment to support
referrals and clients in the communities.
Be advised that the Center will continue to
receive applications; however it will not
be taking in clients from January to March
31, 2014. January, February and March will be
taken to train staff, and to do some promotional
activities.
The first block of clients will be from the French speaking
communities and will begin on April 1, 2014. The English
speaking block will begin on July 21, 2014.
Volunteer Canada: the support of a network
Did you know that approximately 13.3 million Canadians
volunteer 2.1 billion hours each year, which is the equivalent of 1.1 million full-time jobs?
number of organisations, individuals, local volunteer action centres and national companies with thousands of
employees.
Volunteer Canada is a registered non-profit charitable
organisation that has promoted volunteer work in Canada since 1977. Currently, its funding comes from two
main sources: a network of members representing more
than 1200 volunteer organisations and partners in the
public and private sectors.
The organisation is fortunate to have a “knowledge network” through which individuals and organisations are
able to contribute more effectively to the development
of the communities involved.
Volunteer Canada encourages Canadians to get involved in their communities and works with all types of
organisations that mobilise volunteers today. Its expertise
is based on cutting-edge research on practical
knowledge and a unique network that includes a large
This network helps it to achieve its objective, which is focused on citizen participation: a scenario that benefits
everyone: Canadians who want to offer their time and
those who are in need of it.
For more information, please visit www.volunteer.ca or
call 1-800-670-0401.
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Data collection
for the REEES:
It’s a start!
As you already know, the objective of the Regional Early
Childhood, Education and Employment Survey (REEES) is
to conduct a more complete scan of the socio-economic
factors that determine the state of health of the First
Nations. The collection of information that will allow for
adequately describing the realities experienced in the
areas of early childhood, education and employment is
based on the deployment of a data collection process in
twenty communities of Quebec. Local interviewers were
recruited in each of these communities in order to meet
with the 3,070 respondents targeted by the Survey’s
sampling plan.
Since the end of the month of November, the coordination
team for the REEES has travelled to the communities of
Listuguj and Kawawachikamach in order to prepare the
launch for this Survey. These meetings have provided an
opportunity to offer training to the interviewers on the
various steps that make up the population surveys and on
their duties and responsibilities associated with the REEES.
In addition to the training, the interviewers also received
the material required to initiate the data collection.
In addition to enabling the coordination team to get to
know its community partners better, these trips also
provided an opportunity to perform interviews in the
local radio stations in order to present the REEES and
encourage the respondents who would be contacted to
participate in an active fashion.
Over the course of the upcoming weeks, the coordination
team will be travelling to many other communities that
have accepted to participate in the Survey to prepare
the interviewers who were recruited at the local level.
Please check below to find out all of the destinations for
the REEES.
Participating
Communities
Interviewers from Listuguj, Donna Marie Metallic,
Lorraine Morrison and Arleen Metallic,
are surrounded by Matthieu Gill-Bougie
and Jonathan Leclerc from the FNQLHSSC
(absent from photo: Sandra Bulmer)
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Odanak
Eagle Village
Kitcisakik
Pikogan
Manawan
Opitciwan
Wemotaci
Wendake
Betsiamites
Mashteuiatsh
Matimekush
Natashquan
Listuguj
Kawawachikamach
Uashat mak Mani-Utenam
Pakua Shipi
Invited Communities
(waiting on answers)
Long Point First Nation
Kitigan Zibi
Gesgapegiag
Kanesatake
300 young First Nations athletes
will compete in Regina
Under the theme "Raising the Bar", the North American
Indigenous Games (NAIG) will take place from July 20
to 27, 2014. Every four years, the Games bring together
Aboriginal athletes from across North America. Young
people ages 13 to 19 years will have the opportunity to
participate in 15 sporting events.
The overall objective of these Games is to promote a
healthy and positive lifestyle among all the Aboriginal
communities across North America.
The Indigenous Games are also an opportunity to celebrate and share the indigenous cultures of North America by presenting the traditions, languages, arts, songs,
dances and ceremonies of the different Nations. The
Games involve the participation of 6,000 athletes and
coaches.
Over 3,000 volunteers from the host community, 200
cultural artists and entertainment and thousands of
friends and family members of the participants will be
attending the Games.
The logo for the 2014 NAIG consists of a medicine
wheel (a circle with four sections), as well as the image
of an athlete in motion. The medicine wheel symbolises
the interdependence of all living things, the cycles of
nature and the circular evolution of life. The number 4 is
sacred and refers to the four seasons, the four parts of a
person (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual), the
four kingdoms (animal, mineral, vegetable and human)
and the four sacred medicines (sweetgrass, tobacco,
cedar and sage).
The team representing the First Nations of Quebec Eastern Door and the North - currently includes more
than 300 athletes who come from various First Nations of
Quebec. The tryouts for the various events began during
the summer period and focused on archery, badminton,
athletics, canoeing, wrestling, soccer, softball, swimming,
volleyball, golf and lacrosse. Communities that participate in the Games must have a fundraising plan for their
athletes and teams. The leader of Quebec's delegation
is Mr. Dave Canadian from Kahnawake.
The FNQLHSSC is working closely with Mr. Canadian in
order to negotiate with various governments to obtain
the funding that will be needed to cover part of the
transportation costs for the athletes.
For more information, please visit the website
www.regina2014naig.com or contact Mrs. Francine Vincent, Healthy Lifestyles Promotion Agent with the
FNQLHSSC, by phone at 418 842-1540 ext. 242 or by
email at [email protected].
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The FNQLHSSC was there
On October 22-24 last year, the Chiefs of the Assembly
of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador (AFNQL) met
in Akwesasne to initiate a reflection on the theme of jurisdiction. AFNQL Chief Ghislain Picard had also requested the participation of the AFNQL regional commissions and organizations to present their observations
concerning jurisdiction in their respective areas. The
FNQLHSSC, which was represented by its executive director, Ms. Marjolaine Siouï, had prepared a presentation and six fact sheets for the participants. This presentation and the fact sheets can be obtained by contacting
the communications sector at [email protected].
The book presents a moving and inspiring story that will
help all readers, wherever they live, to better understand the reality of life in the First Nations.
The network of the Executive Directors of the First Nations Band Councils in Quebec and Labrador held its
biannual meeting from October 30 to November 1 last
year at the First Nations Hotel-Museum in Wendake. The
FNQLHSSC gave a presentation on the situation concerning foster families, income security and population
studies (RHS and REEES).
The travelling museum exhibition Red Memory began
its run at the Abenaki Museum in Odanak on November
14 last year. Red Memory uncovers the hidden truth
surrounding a situation which took root in the historical
context of colonialism and culminated in the experience
of the Indian residential schools. The exhibition continues
at the Abenaki Museum until May 2014.
This past November 25, the FNQLHSSC attended the
book launch of Dr. Stanley Vollant: Mon chemin innu,
held at the offices of Wapikoni mobile in Montreal. The
book, written by Mathieu-Robert Sauvé, tells the life story of Stanley Vollant, an Innu who became the first surgeon from a Quebec First Nation.
Dr. Vollant spoke of his desire to
share his dream: “My hope is that
my book will show all the young
people in Quebec, particularly in
the Aboriginal communities, that
they can make a place for themselves in society even if they
come from an underprivileged
setting and are forced to
undergo very difficult trials.”
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To obtain this book, visit the website of Éditions MultiMondes at www.multim.com or call 1 800 840-3029.
Enjoy your reading!
Red Memory first opened in September 2012 at the
Huron-Wendat Museum in Wendake. In April 2013,
the exhibition was presented as part of a Quebec National Event of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
(TRC) held at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel in
Montreal. Several well-known figures, including the
Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Assembly of First
Nations Chief Shawn Atleo, the TRC commissioners and
former hockey player Joé Juneau, were in attendance.
From May to October 2013, Red Memory was shown
at the Native Museum of Mashteuiatsh. The FNQLHSSC
wishes to thank the museum for raising $578.84
through the exhibition. This amount was given to New
Pathways: Foundation for the Future of First Nations.
To know more about the Fondation, go to au
www.nouveauxsentiers.com.
Update on
social insertion
and professional integration
Joint committee between the FNHRDCQ and the
FNQLHSSC for the continuum of services
The FNQLHSSC and the FNHRDCQ recognise the
importance of enhancing cooperation between the two
organisations in order to maximise the resources and
services that are offered to the clientele. The continuity
and complementarity of their services are key factors
fostering this collaboration. The FNQLHSSC and the
FNHRDCQ have agreed on the need to develop a continuum of services process and opted for the creation of
a joint committee to implement it.
The Enhanced Service Delivery (ESD)
and the First Nations Job Fund (FNJF)
Following the announcement of the Income Assistance
Reform and the call for tenders for the ESD and the
FNJF, three types of clients emerge and require support:
1. a) The communities that meet the program criteria
and which have submitted their projects;
b) The communities that meet the program criteria
and which have not submitted their projects;
2.
The communities that do not meet the program criteria.
The FNQLHSSC must reflect on the ways that could be
found to assist, support and guide the communities that
are neglected by the Reform, and develop service offerings that may, if necessary, meet the multiple needs of
the clienteles in the areas of education, employment and
economic development. The communities that have not
been recognised as meeting the criteria must indeed
have the opportunity to increase their capacity in the
areas of social and community development. Some of
these communities can come together to meet all the criteria, including the one relating to the number of income
security recipients.
Social reintegration training (RÉSO)
The FNQLHSSC offered the RÉSO training intended for
the income security counsellors. The objective was to
contribute to acquiring and building the professional
capacities of the human resources among the First
Nations communities. The training was provided in four
cohorts, of which three were French-speaking (April,
May and November) and one was English-speaking
(June). Also in line with the continuum of services, the
workers and employees working in the activity sectors
of the FNHRDCQ were also invited to participate in this
training.
Impacts of the training
The training enabled the participants to acquire practical concepts relating to supporting clients and assessing
the needs of the various clienteles that are faced with
obstacles associated with education and employment.
The use of "practical cases" by the trainer proved to be
beneficial.
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The evaluation of the PVAC project continues
An evaluation of the implementation processes was
entrusted to the research sector of the FNQLHSSC as
part of the Prevention of Violence and Aggression in the
Communities (PVAC) project. This project was undertaken
by the early childhood sector in two pilot communities:
Reasons for the
evaluation
Goals of the
evaluation
= the evaluation’s
purpose
Objectives of the
evaluation
= how to achieve
the goals
Obtaining information
on the activities
implemented and
the conditions to be
established for the
deployment of the
strategy in all of the
communities
Documenting the
implementation steps
of the PVAC project:
verifying if this
respects their planning
and is generating the
expected results
Data collection periods
Period 1:
Concerted approach and
mobilisation around the
PVAC in the pilot communities
Period 2:
Cultural appropriation of
the contents
Verifying if this was
carried out as originally planned
Evaluation of the processes
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Determining the
improvements to be
made to the implementation of the
PVAC strategy
during its deployment
Examining the mechanisms for implementing
the project's activities
in such a way as to
highlight the elements
that facilitated or
hindered the implementation of the
project (process
component)
Period 3:
Tools developed or
adapted:
Phase 1: Development
of tools that integrate
cultural aspects of the
participating communities
Phase 2: Analysis of
the implementation
processes of the tools
that are adapted or
created as part of the
PVAC
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Following the implementation of the various activities
of the project in both pilot communities.
Evaluation of the implementation
Verifying if the strategy for the prevention of violence and
aggression has been
developed and implemented in both
pilot communities
Ekuanitshit and Long Point First Nation (Winneway). For
more information, please contact Mrs. Céline Yon,
Research Agent, by phone at 418-842-1540 ext. 384 or
by email at [email protected].
Release of a brief on
racism and discrimination
This past December, the
FNQLHSSC submitted to the Secrétariat aux affaires autochtones its
brief entitled Racism and discrimination towards the First Nations –
Summary portrait and recommendations.
There remains a considerable gap
separating the First Nations from the
rest of the population at the socioeconomic level. This gap is explained in
part by the racism and discrimination
directed towards First Nations. Despite
some bridge-building between the Quebec nation and the First Nations, racism
and discrimination are still fully present. To
eliminate them, courageous action will
have to be taken.
The FNQLHSSC is convinced that its proposals can contribute to the development of the government’s action plan
against racism and discrimination
towards Aboriginal people. Taking its
recommendations into account, along
with those submitted by its partners,
will allow the Quebec government
to meet the real needs of First
Nations in the struggle against
racism and discrimination.
Update on the remote screening program
for diabetic retinopathy
In September, the FNQLHSSC added a nurse to the team
responsible for remote screening for diabetic retinopathy.
Henceforth, the team is capable of ensuring:
1.
The training of new program workers
2.
Clinical, technical and computer support
3.
Implementation adapted to the reality of each
community
Four communities (Pessamit, Rapid Lake, Essipit and Wendake) implemented the remote screening program for
diabetic retinopathy within a four-month period and are
fully able to offer this service to diabetic patients. Two
communities also benefited from clinical and technical
support.
Parallel to this, the nurses’ training file was reviewed by
the University of Montréal. Six hours of accredited training (HFA) are now allocated to clinical training for nurses.
This accreditation allows additional clinical recognition of
the program in qualitative terms and provides an incentive to community nurses to participate.
The Committee responsible for ensuring the sustainability
of the service, which was set up in November 2013, met
on a few occasions. This group, which managed to mobilize various involved and motivated stakeholders, endorsed the mandate to seek solutions and take necessary steps to ensure the continuity of remote screening
for diabetic retinopathy services within the communities,
while maintaining the level of quality of services offered. Alterative clinical solutions were also devised and
will be proposed shortly to all communities participating
in the program.
If you have suggestions or comments that you would like
to bring to the attention of the Committee, please contact Marie-Claude Raymond, E-Health Program Agent
at the FNQLHSSC, by phone at 418-842-1540 ext. 257
or by email at [email protected].
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Contest for the
Universal Children’s Day:
Here are the winners!
The FNQLHSSC celebrated Universal Children's Day
last November 20, by organising a contest in the First
Nations communities.
The objective of Universal Children’s Day is to highlight
the adoption, on November 20, 1989, of the Convention
on the Rights of the Child. This Convention is one of the
international legal instruments ensuring the guarantee
and protection of human rights. Its goal is to protect the
rights of all children in the world.
Three categories of participants shared great prizes
through a random draw. The games were selected with
the winners based on their needs, the only condition being that they must promote the overall and harmonious
development of children.
Family category
Bérangère Raphaël’s family won a game with a value
of $250.
This year, the article being highlighted focused on the
right to play:
Services intended for children ages 0 to 12 years category (child care service, school, ECC, FNHS, day care):
Article 31
Kahnawake’ Step by Step Child and Family Center won
a game with a value of $1,000.
States Parties recognize the right of the child to rest
and leisure, to engage in play and recreational
activities appropriate to the age of the child and to
participate freely in cultural life and the arts.
Community category (first-line services, health centre,
cultural sector, youth centre, etc.)
Through its contest, the FNQLHSSC wanted to know the
activities that were being carried out in the communities
to celebrate Universal Children's Day. The goal was to
encourage play among children ages 0 to 12 years.
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The community of Pessamit won a game with a value of
$1,000.
Thank you to all participants and congratulations to
the winners!
Update on
Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)
Centralisation of the dental care authorisation
For your information, since April 2013, all dental care
predetermination services have been centralised in
Ottawa. For Quebec, this transfer has generated certain complications for the professionals as well as the
clientele. It turns out that many professionals must send
more documentation (x-rays, supporting documents, etc.)
in order to obtain approval for the services of their First
Nations clients. Furthermore, the processing delays for
the requests have increased from three days
to nearly six weeks, on
average.
It is important for the communities to inform their
populations so that they
understand the importance
of waiting for the response
from Health Canada before
receiving their dental care in
order to avoid paying for
services that are not covered
by Health Canada. Rest
assured that the FNQLHSSC is
continuing its efforts to denounce
this situation among the government authorities.
Vision care preauthorisation
form
A new procedure has been established for the preauthorisation and
payment of vision care. It is important
for
the First Nations to inform their vision care professionals
regarding their status from the onset when making an
appointment. Indeed, the professionals must obtain a
preauthorisation form for First Nations that must be
signed by the client during the appointment as proof
that the services have been provided. Consequently, the
professionals must contact Health Canada's Claims Processing Centre to obtain said form during Health Canada's office hours. If the professional is not informed regarding the First Nations status of their client and the
client goes to their appointment in the evening or during
the weekend, the preauthorisation will not be provided
and the client could be
required to pay for their
services on their own.
GPS
The Guide on the Procedures for accessing Services (GPS) in the area
of health was disseminated among all the
First Nations health
centres and organisations. You can access a copy either
among these organisations or on
the FNQLHSSC's
website
at
www.cssspnql.com.
A CD-ROM is also
available upon request. Please do
not hesitate to contact the FNQLHSSC to obtain more
information at 418 842-1540 or by email at
[email protected].
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Page 17
Healthy aging of our
As part of the QADA (Québec ami des aînés [unofficial
translation: Quebec friend of seniors]) program, seniors
and workers from four communities were called upon to
focus on proposals for models fostering healthy aging in
order to promote the well-being of First Nations senior
citizens.
The workers opted for a model inspired by Alberta’s
strategic framework for the healthy aging and wellbeing of the people (Alberta Health and Wellness). This
model was adapted by inserting “knowledge transfer” (see included illustration).
The seniors decided to focus on three determinants it includes that are inspired by the policy framework proposed by the WHO (World Health Organization) in
2002:

participation;

health;

safety.
PARTICIPATION
What can be said about senior participation?
We must first ask ourselves: why would seniors want to
participate?
The reasons can differ from one person to another,
whether it is a matter of:

Helping and mutual assistance;

Seeing people and creating relationships;

Experiencing pleasant group activities;

Getting involved in a collective project;

Sharing knowledge;

Contributing to the decisions that concern them.
Can seniors’ participation have impacts on their health
and well-being?
A few meetings provided the opportunity to reflect and
share opinions on these determinants.
Scientific studies have shown that seniors who participate
socially experience:
less:

Premature mortality, they live longer;

Medication use;

Symptoms of depression;

Functional decline;

Cognitive impairment.
and increased:
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
Well-being;

Positive perception of their state of health;

Health service use (i.e. vaccination, medical checkup as recommended, etc.).
seniors: a priority
How can seniors’ participation be encouraged?

Facilitating the transmission of their knowledge:
daring to ask them what they would like to pass on;

Welcoming them: daring to ask them to collaborate in an event;

Being so bold as to ask them for suggestions when
organising an event;

Assisting them in getting around: thinking about
providing them with an escort or picking them up;

Being creative, using your imagination…
HEALTH
As we get older, what are the benefits of taking care
of your health?
Health is a shared responsibility and seniors who get
involved can hope to:
Who are the possible partners of seniors for this
commitment?

The seniors themselves;

Friends and family members;

Workers;

Facilitators;

Prevent losses, diseases and injuries;

Managers;

Optimise their physical, mental and spiritual functioning;

The social network.

Manage chronic health conditions.
SAFETY
How can safety be defined?
This is a situation in which a person is not exposed to any
dangers or risks such as physical assault, accidents, theft
or damages.
The effects will be felt progressively, and it is:
Step by step… for yourself;
Step by step… for others;
Step by step for today;
Step by step for tomorrow;
In other words, the sense of safety defines:
Step by step to have a future.

Someone who feels safe from harm, who is at ease;
References :

Peace of mind inspired by confidence and the
feeling of not being threatened.
http://www.inspq.qc.ca/pdf/publications/860_Perspective
VieillissementSante.pdf
http://www.assembly.ab.ca/lao/library/egovdocs/alhw/
2002/135336.pdf
http://aines.gouv.qc.ca/documents/Guide_QADA_2012-2013.pdf
Source: World Health Organization. (2002). Active ageing: A policy
framework. Geneva: World Health Organization.
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Page 19
News from
New Pathways: Foundation for the future of the First Nations received a $10 000 donation during the 21st Golf
Tournament of the Native Benefits Plan (NBP) Financial
Group that was held last August 22nd at the Club de
Golf de la Faune in Québec City.
Established by the FNQLHSSC, the New Pathways Foundation was officially launched in April 2012. Its mission is to
contribute to improving the living conditions of the First Nations by funding projects that focus on the social and human
development of the individuals within their communities.
The FNQLHSSC joins the New Pathways Foundation in
order to thank the NBP Financial Group for this gesture.
This collaboration will allow the Foundation to shine more
and will certainly contribute to the development of the
youth in the First Nations communities. Thank you for helping them to fulfill their dreams!
Nomination
As can be seen in the picture below, Marjolaine Siouï,
Executive Director of the FNQLHSSC, on behalf of the
Board of Directors of the New Pathways Foundation, accepted the check presented by Sylvain Picard, NBP General Manager, and Norm Odjick, President of the NBP.
In early January, the president of New Pathways, Mickel
Robertson, announced the appointment of Isabelle Picard
as coordinator of the Foundation. Isabelle Picard has
been working for more than 15 years in various positions
with Aboriginal organizations, notably in education and
culture. She was a member of the Board of Directors for
the New Pathways Foundation from 2009 to 2013.
Her first mandates will be to conduct a search for funding and to promote the organization for purposes of
mobilizing the public and the target clienteles.
For more information or to make an online donation,
please visit www.nouveauxsentiers.com or contact
Mrs. Isabelle Picard by email at fondation@
nouveauxsentiers.com.
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A brief on the living conditions
of the adults who are staying in the CHSLD
As part of the consultation on the living conditions of
the adults who are staying in the Centre d’hébergement
et de soins de longue durée (CHSLD) by the Assemblée
nationale du Québec, the FNQLHSSC presented a brief
illustrating the situations of the First Nations of Quebec.
For this purpose, the FNQLHSSC worked on collecting data and information on the First Nations adults of Quebec
who are sheltered in the CHSLD, with the exception of the
Cree and Inuit Nations. The FNQLHSSC also identified
possible solutions to improve the care and services that are
offered to adults with disabilities or faced with a loss of
autonomy who are staying in residential care facilities
that are located in the communities.
Last February 11, the FNQLHSSC presented the
Commission de la santé et des services sociaux of the
Assemblée nationale a portrait of the current situation
and proposed solutions aiming to improve the lives of
those concerned who are staying in the CHSLD and
residential care facilities for seniors in the communities.
For more information, please do not hesitate to contact
Mrs. Kathleen Jourdain, Program Agent – Continuing
Care, by phone at 418-842-1540 ext. 241 or by email
at [email protected]. The brief is also
available for consultation on Internet: ww.cssspnql.com.
A new DVD entitled
“Diabetes – Talking about it
is the best way to prevent and control it”
In order to help people with diabetes to better understand and live with this disease, the FNQLHSSC has
produced an informative DVD on type 2 diabetes
which contains advice from health specialists and testimonials from people with diabetes.
Some of the themes addressed are as follows:

the definition of diabetes

risk factors and screening

complications

treatment

physical activity

nutrition

psychological impacts

etc.
Also included are testimonials from people with diabetes and members of various First Nations communities
who share their experiences related to the diagnosis
of diabetes or prediabetes. They also address the
changes they had to make to their lifestyles, the difficulties and obstacles encountered in the beginning and
the everyday challenges.
The DVD release is planned for the winter of 2014.
DVD copies will be sent to all communities. On this occasion, the FNQLHSSC would like to thank the First
Nations people, both specialists and people with diabetes alike, who agreed to participate in the production of this DVD.
Pour plus d’information, veuillez contacter Mme Francine Vincent, agente - promotion des saines habitudes
de vie au 418 842-1540 poste 242 ou par courriel à
[email protected].
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Page 21
Dr. Stanley Vollant gets
Over $20 000 were raised as part of the “Let’s Scalp
Stanley!” campaign that was established to fund the Innu
Meshkenu project founded by Dr. Stanley Vollant, Quebec’s first Aboriginal surgeon. The culmination of this
campaign took place last November 28 when he had his
head shaved for the cause.
The event took place at the Université du Québec à
Chicoutimi in front of approximately forty dignitaries,
collaborators and supporters. Marco
Bacon, Director of the Nikanite First
Nations Centre, acted as the
honorary barber for the
occasion. Several local
media were also in attendance and the event was
broadcasted online
(can be viewed at
http://www.innumeshkenu.com/).
A genuine pilgrimage
spanning several thousands
of kilometres in the heart of
the Aboriginal communities
of Quebec, Ontario, New
Brunswick and Labrador, the Innu
Meshkenu project is the result of Dr.
Vollant’s desire to meet with First
Nations youth. His goals: inspiring the youth
and encouraging them to dream while remaining healthy,
giving value to elders and traditional knowledge and
building bridges between the Aboriginal and nonAboriginal communities.
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The next steps
The next stage will start on February 17 from Pikogan.
Dr. Vollant and the walkers will go to Waswanipi and
end their trek on March 4 in Oujé-Bougoumou. During
the summer of 2014, the journey will pass through the
French River, an Ontarian watercourse that served as the
main route to the west during the fur trade. This segment,
which is located between Nipissing and Mattawa
while passing through North Bay, holds a
historical and rallying significance
since it is an ancient path that was
traveled by Dr. Vollant’s ancestors. “It is proof that, together,
we can build a beautiful and
great country”, he rejoiced.
In 2015, Innu Meshkenu
will take to the water: Dr.
Vollant plans on descending the Ottawa River in a
rabaska from Nipissing to
Ottawa, along with representatives of the 11 Nations,
in order to arrive on Victoria
Island and convey an important
message to Parliament. “We are
C
capable of speaking with one voice,
QA
:U
o
t
o
to
offer
a better world to the youth
h
P
and elders; the same blood flows through our
veins!” Following the stage from Schefferville to
Kuujjuaq, which is also planned for 2015, Dr. Vollant
would like to travel to Vancouver, Newfoundland and
Cape Breton. He will then have travelled Canada by
foot, canoe and snowshoe, from north to south and east
to west.
scalped to continue his Innu Trail
What is the money that is raised used for?
An expedition of 14 to 17 days for 40 people requires
an amount of approximately $80 000 to $100 000,
divided between tracking in the field, snowmobile or allterrain vehicle rentals, fuel, equipment rentals,
food, etc. Also, safety is very important to
Dr. Vollant, who wants the walkers to undertake reasonable challenges without taking
any unnecessary risks, in order to ensure
that everyone is able to enjoy a successful
walk, but also make a smooth return to
their daily lives. “Collective success is greater than individual success. I also don’t want
to let the participants down after the walk.
They sometimes go through a down after experiencing
this big high. Ensuring that the holistic benefits last over
time requires a long-term strategy, a community followup program, meetings, etc. It is important to maintain this
family spirit, to make sure that the walkers become role
models and champions in their communities.”
Dr. Vollant would also like to return to the visited communities every two years in order to remind the youth
regarding the importance of pursuing their
dreams and believing in themselves: “It is essential to get the message across!”
During the Colloque persévérance et réussite
scolaires chez les Premiers Peuples
(unofficial translation: school success and
perseverance among First Nations symposium) which will be held at the UQAC in
March, a comic starring Dr. Vollant will be
launched. This is just another way for him to convey
his message of hope to the youth: “Even during the coldest and longest night, the sun always ends up rising.”
A new source of reliable data on toddlers
Last October, the Institut de la statistique du Québec launched
the Vitrine de la petite enfance (unofficial translation: Early
childhood showcase) (0 to 5 years) which includes a collection
of conclusive data on children ages 0 to 5 years and their
living environments.
This showcase, which was created through an initiative of the
Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation, is the result of a partnership between the Institut and the Foundation in collaboration with several organisations and researchers of Quebec in
the field of early childhood. Made available to decisionmakers, researchers and workers but also the general public,
this showcase presents statistics on the development and wellbeing of children, their family, physical and social environ-
ments as well as the use of the services intended for children
ages 0 to 5 years and their families. It allows for quick access
to quality indicators from different sources as well as highlights, methodological notes and publications.
The showcase will be periodically expanded with new data,
especially with the addition of indicators on child development from the 2012 Quebec Survey of Child Development in
Kindergarten (QSCDK). Indicators for which time tracking is
possible will also be updated. It is therefore suggested to
consult the showcase on a regular basis.
It is located at the following website: www.bdso.gouv.qc.ca/
docs-ken/flex/ken_tbl_bord_0003/tbl_bord_index.html.
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Page 23
Brief on sports and recreation
Between tradition and performance
Last June 10, the Quebec government released a green
paper entitled Le goût et le plaisir de bouger : vers une
politique nationale du sport, du loisir et de l’activité physique (unofficial translation: The desire and pleasure of
being active: towards a national policy on sport, recreation and physical activity).
This Green Paper presents the
stakes and orientations of the
future national policy on sports,
recreation and physical activity.
last June in addition to facilitated sessions in seventeen
regions of Quebec.
The FNQLHSSC asked the Minister responsible for the ministère de l’Éducation, du Sport et
des Loisirs (MELS), Ms. Marie
Malavoy, to include the First
Nations members as part of
this consultation for a national policy on sports, leisure and physical activity.
It is focused on four major stakes:

Access to physical, recreational and sporting activities:
banking on access to installations, time availability or a
reduction in financial constraints.

The quality of the experiences: offering the support required to meet the needs of
the people and implement a
safe framework.

Promoting the practice of physical, recreational and sports
activities: raising awareness,
informing and motivating the population.

The concerted approach: defining a clear and
shared vision of the roles and responsibilities of the
various partners involved in order to provide the
appropriate services.
Consultation sessions with the national organisations took
place on an invitation basis in Quebec City and Montreal
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In response to this
request, two representatives of the MELS, Mr. Luc
Fournier and Mr. Guy Thibault, provided a presentation on the Green Paper to the community
health directors last
November 19. The
health directors had the
opportunity to express
their points of view on
issues related to sports
and recreation.
Finally, the FNQLHSSC joined forces with the First
Nations Education Council (FNEC) to submit a brief presenting the current situation. The portrait is of concern
and greatly justifies actions aiming the adoption of
healthy lifestyles. The brief is available on the
FNQLHSSC's website (www.cssspnql.com). To consult
the Green Paper (available in French only):
www.mels.gouv.qc.ca/livrevert.
Seeking First Nations volunteers
to participate in workshops
related to reconciliation between
residential school survivors
Returning to Spirit is a charitable non-profit organization
that leads reconciliation workshops between Aboriginals
and non-Aboriginals across Canada for First Nations
people. These workshops regard the reconciliation between survivors of residential schools and their children or
grandchildren with church representatives and non-native
people who feel concerned by this legacy.
For more information on these workshops, called Returning
to Spirit, go to www.returningtospirit.org. The workshops
will be offered in English and French. The next sessions
are most likely to take place in the spring.
The goal of the organizers is to empower people to move
forward with the principles of personal empowerment.
Their work goes beyond healing. It creates an environment conducive to the transformation of people, families,
communities and organizations.
Sessions last five intensive days. Following the initial
training given by Aboriginals for Aboriginals only, a
second five-day session then involves the reconciliation
with the non-Aboriginal group and church representatives who participated in the same workshops.
Those interested after the first Returning to Spirit sessions
may decide to commit to a long-term training in order to
facilitate workshops throughout the communities of the
region of Quebec. Bilingualism is an asset, because
workshops will be offered in French and English, according
to need.
For more information, please contact Mrs. Lucie Painchaud, Liaison for the Quebec region and Coordinator
for the Restorative Justice Centre of Quebec at 581989-2351.
Social economy: a promising avenue
Last fall, progress was made in terms of the First Nations social economy. On October 10th, the Assemblée
nationale unanimously adopted the Social Economy Act.
This Act provides for the creation of an action plan for
the development of the social economy in Quebec.
Meanwhile, the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec
and Labrador has taken a step forward in this file by
recognising the contributions of the social economy in
terms of the development of the First Nations communities. The AFNQL therefore adopted by way of resolution last October, by consensus, the appointment of the
FNQLHSSC as the file holder and main representative
for the First Nations social economy. In this context, the
Social Development Sector team has focused its concerted approach and mobilisation efforts on various
players from Aboriginal regional organisations in order
to defend the interests of First Nations for the development of the social economy action plan. Many contacts
have already been made, particularly with representatives of the Ministère des Affaires municipales, des
Régions et de l’Occupation du territoire (MAMROT) which
is responsible for the governmental action plan, the
Chantier de l’économie sociale and the Conseil québécois
de la coopération et de la mutualité; the latter two being
the main representatives for this Social Economy Act.
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Page 25
The Common Surveillance Plan of Health Status and its Determinants
Production of social and health indicators
for 2013-2014
In pursuit of the operational phase, namely the production of social and health indicators associated with the Common
Surveillance Plan of Health Status and its Determinants Among First Nations of Quebec, the surveillance team of the
FNQLHSSC's Research Sector plans to produce a new wave of indicators for the 2013-2014 fiscal year. These new
indicators will be divided among the following determinants of health themes:

Socio-economic

Overall state of health

Physical environment

Physical state of health

Social environment

Health services
The following table shows the list of social and health indicators to be completed and calculated for the 2013-2014
fiscal year.
Socio-economic conditions
Average income per capita
Average income per household
Proportion of social assistance recipients
Proportion of the population living under the low income cut-off
Proportion of the households living under the low income cut-off
Physical environment
Proportion of the households requiring major repairs
Social environment
Social support index
Lifestyles and behaviours
Breakdown of the population according to type of drug user over the course of a 12 month period
Breakdown of the sexually active population according to the means of contraception used
Main reason for contraception
Proportion of mothers who breastfeed
Proportion of the population who consume fruits or vegetables every day
Proportion of the population who perceive their eating habits as being average or poor
Overall state of health
Proportion of the population who do not perceive themselves as being healthy
Proportion of the population with a disability or activity limitation
Physical state of health
Proportion of diabetics
Health services
Last visit to the dentist
Proportion of women who reported having received a mammogram
Proportion of the male population 50 years and up who were screened for prostate cancer
Proportion of the female population who received a Pap test
Access to traditional health services
Proportion of the population who use the traditional health services
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Interesting resources
released by the
Healthy Aboriginal Network
The Healthy Aboriginal Network, a BC incorporated
non-profit Society involved in the promotion of health,
literacy and wellness, has released two interesting
resources during the course of last year:
you are interested in buying a set please send an email
to [email protected] with your address.
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
(UNCRC) poster series
The Network released a residential school book during
spring 2013. The story is fictive, but similar to testimonies
heard at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission events.
There is a preview and pricing at www.thehealthy
aboriginal.net. Please send an email to
[email protected] with your address if you
would like to order.
The 42 posters - one for each right - put an Aboriginal
youth focus. Please check out www.thehealthy
aboriginal.net/UNCRC to see a preview. The Network
sells the posters in sets of 42 (no individual poster sales)
for around $228, which includes shipping and taxes. If
Residential school comic book
Report on health care
for elders
On November 28, the Health Council of Canada released the report Canada’s most vulnerable: Improving
health care for First Nations, Inuit and Métis seniors at the
Native Canadian Centre of Toronto.
In order to address the concerns and perspectives of the
people and providers who work with this vulnerable population and to learn what is being done for seniors in
their communities, the Health Council conducted interviews
with senior government officials and First Nations, Inuit
and Métis organizations and hosted three regional meetings over the past year. They also convened focus groups
in Iqaluit, Inuvik and Happy Valley-Goose Bay to capture the unique situations of Inuit seniors. The Health
Council found communication and coordination were often lacking between health care services and Aboriginal
peoples and the communities in which they live which
can prevent seniors from getting the care they need.
However, they did find innovative practices that
encourage coordination through culturally competent
care arrangements. Some of these practices have been
developed, led and managed by and for Aboriginal
peoples, such as the BC First Nations Health Authority.
Twelve innovative practices are profiled in the report.
The report is available in both official languages to governments, stakeholder organizations and members of the
general public via the Health Council’s website,
www.healthcouncilcanada.ca.
The Health Council has profiled a number of innovative
practices that are improving care for Aboriginal people
at www.healthcouncilcanada.ca/innovation.
You are also invited to see what guest bloggers are
saying about the report at www.healthcouncil
canada.blogspot.com.
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Page 27
Status of Women Canada:
Opportunities to discover
Status of Women Canada (SWC) is the federal government organization assigned the responsibility to
promotes equality for women and their full participation in the economic, social and democratic life of
Canada. In this role, SWC provides strategic policy
advice and gender-based analysis support, administers
the Women’s Program and promotes commemorative
dates relating to women in Canada.
Women’s Program
The objective of the Women's
Program is to achieve the full
participation of women in the
economic, social and democratic
life of Canada. It funds projects submitted by eligible organizations at the local, regional and national levels in the following three priority areas:

Ending violence
women and girls

Improving women's and girls'
economic security and prosperity

Encouraging women and girls in leadership
and decision-making roles.
against
With an annual budget of close to
$19 M, the program supports some
300 projects each year. These projects, up to 36 months in length, must
have the objective of eliminating
obstacles to the participation of women and gender
equality in Canadian society. Funded projects cover
the following themes in particular:

Ensuring greater understanding of the issue of violence against women; development of tools for
women, communities and service recipients.
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
Development of skills related to employability and
the advancement of women in non-traditional and
technological sectors.

Increasing knowledge of issues related to governance, community development and policies by way
of training, mentorships and culturally appropriate
tools.
Between 2007 and March 2013, the funding
of projects involving Aboriginal women
and girls increased to more than $19
M, distributed as follows:

Violence: $11.8 M

Economy: $4.4 M

Leadership: $3 M
Since 2012, band councils and
Aboriginal government agencies have been eligible for the
Women’s Program.
Through targeted calls for proposals, the Program invites organizations to present funding requests
on specific themes, with each proposal
subject to a specific deadline. Funding requests
can also be submitted at any time during the year.
For more information, visit the SWC
website at: www.swc-cfc.gc.ca. You
can also call Cyndi Fuss, Senior
Program Officer, at 613 947-0206
or the SWC office in Quebec at 1
888 645-4141.
The use of white books
and green books in Quebec
In parliamentary practice, we see in the government’s
designation of a document as a white book or a green
book a clear indication of how it intends to address a
problem or a reform. In Quebec, since the mid-1960s,
the government has published numerous documents given
their own particular stamp by means of various colours
such as white, green, blue, pink and orange.
By calling a document a white book, the government
reveals its intentions. A white book may accompany and
explain a bill, announce an administrative measure, or
present a program that will be carried out through a
series of legislative texts. For the government, affirming
certain principles and disclosing its intentions does not
exclude the holding of consultation on a white book or
the bill stemming from it.
A green book differs from a white book in that it is used
when no particular position is put forward or defended
by the government. The government wishes instead to
get the discussion going concerning a given problem in
order to develop a position. A green book is essentially
a consultation tool or a working document.
For a document to be given the name of ‘white book’ or
‘green book,’ it must normally be tabled in the House.
However, the government will frequently introduce documents in the House which possess all the characteristics of
a white or green book but are not defined as such. They
are instead given the name of ’working document’,
‘discussion document,’ ‘consultation document,’ ‘draft policy’
or even ‘policy statement.’
On occasion, lobby groups or associations will give the
name of ‘white book’ to documents in which they present or
describe their positions on matters concerning them directly.
For example, the Press Council published a document in
1989 entitled White Book on Protecting Confidential
Sources of Information and Journalistic Material. Another
example comes from the Union des municipalités du Québec
which, in 2012, undertook a vast consultation in order to
produce a white book on the future of municipalities.
There exist other types of books which are named
according to the colour of their cover page but are not in
the parliamentary domain. We may see beige, red or
pink books; however, they are not used the same way
that a white book or green book is used. For example,
the term ‘beige book’ was used to designate a Quebec
Liberal Party publication released in January 1980. It
was given this name because of the colour of its cover
page. This document, which presented the Liberals’ response to Canada’s constitutional problem, was offered
in reply to the white book produced by the governing
Parti québécois on the same issue.
Source: “Livre blanc et livre vert”, Encyclopédie du parlementarisme
québécois (online), Assemblée nationale du Québec, April 9 2013.
http://www.assnat.qc.ca/fr/patrimoine/lexique/livre-blanc-et-livrevert.html
A new website for INESS
The Institut national d’excellence en santé et en
services sociaux (INESSS) was created three
years ago in order to promote clinical excellence. After several months of intense work, the
INESSS is proud to proceed with the launch of its new
website (inesss.qc.ca). First of all, you will find a new,
more contemporary and dynamic graphic design.
Furthermore, the entire website has been redesigned to
better reflect the activities of the INESSS. In this
regard, note the arrival of a major new section
focused on ongoing projects. This addition aims
to highlight the work of the INESSS. This section
is ever-changing and shows the progress relating to
ongoing projects. Finally, it is now possible to filter the
publications, but also the ongoing projects, by area of
expertise. Enjoy your reading!
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Aboriginal Science Fair
Discovering elements
of our Mother-Earth
The Quebec Aboriginal Science Fair will be held in
Wendake on March 25 and 26 under the theme
“Discovering elements of our Mother-Earth”. For further
information, please visit the website of the Quebec
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Aboriginal Science and Engineering Association
(QASEA) at www.esaquebec.ca or call Mrs. Cynthia
Gros-Louis at 418 845-5909 ext. 235.
The Sexy Quiz
Mickey Moose: the most famous host in town!
Last fall, the FNQLHSSC
launched the “Sexy Quiz”
– its new campaign aiming
to raise awareness on sexual health!
draw over the course of
the campaign, which will
end in April.
Accompanied by popular
host Mickey Moose, the
First Nations youth will
put their knowledge to
the test by viewing the
five video quizzes on
sexyquiz.ca or YouTube.
To encourage participation among the youth, many
iTunes cards and an iPod touch will be allocated by
Different topics are
addressed such as means
of protection, contraception, HIV transmission,
at-risk behaviours and
screening. For more information, contact
Mrs.
Marie-Noëlle Caron,
Public Health Advisor by
phone at 418 842-1540 ext. 389 or by email at [email protected].
Many hands one dream
Many Hands, One Dream: New perspectives on the health
of First Nations, Inuit and Métis children and youth is a
collaborative initiative aimed at building a new vision of
health that has children, youth and families at its core.
The movement produces a quarterly bilingual newsletter
to which you can subscribe by going to
www.manyhandsonedream.ca. Designed for anyone
with an interest in the health of First Nations, Inuit and
Métis children and teenagers, it includes information
about upcoming events, policy updates, advocacy initia-
tives, success stories and other news from organizations
and communities across Canada.
The topics of the fall issue of the newsletter included: a
BC cultural competency training focusing on Aboriginal
patient care; a paper about racism understanding and
the announcement of a documentary by Alanis
O’Bomsawin about Shannen Koostachin’s dream, who
launched a national campaign to ensure fair access to
safe and comfy schools for First Nations children.
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Information available
online
thanks to the FNIGC
FNIGC enters the blogosphere
New online tool brings FNIGC data to your fingertips
What better way to celebrate the implementation of a
new national survey than with a brand new blog? Last
month FNIGC.ca saw the launch of “REEES: In the Field”, a
new blog that’s intended to keep readers up-to-date on
the latest news related to the First Nations Regional Early
Childhood, Education and Employment Survey — which
began full deployment on November 13.
The FNIGC launched a brand new way to access their
data on First Nations communities across Canada:
FNIGC Data Online. The new online tool, available at
FNIGC.ca, is an easy-to-use application that provides
access to published data from FNIGC, starting with the
First Nations Regional Health Survey Phase 2 (RHS).
Over the course of the next year, the “REEES: In the
Field” blog will be the FNIGC main online platform to
explore the many aspects of this major new survey as it
rolls-out in 250 communities across the country. Expect
posts about the survey itself, the participating communities, and the people behind the survey: including FNIGC
staff, Regional Partners and Survey Teams. For example,
we’ll be devoting posts to each Region and their teams
as they implement the REEES in their initial communities.
The blog can be easily accessed on FNIGC.ca by clicking
on “REEES: In the Field” item under the “News” menu at
the top of the screen.
Available at data.fnigc.ca/online, the new tool gives
First Nations people, academics, students, policy-makers
and government stakeholders the unprecedented ability
to generate charts, tables and graphs based on
FNIGC’s data about First Nations, at no cost.
The tool is part of a larger knowledge exchange initiative to make FNIGC’s data more readily available and
easier to access.
In the months ahead, FNIGC will upload more information from RHS Phase 2 and RHS Phase 1 to FNIGC
Data Online. In the future, results from the REEES and
RHS Phase 3 will be uploaded to the tool as the results
are published.
Note that all previously published reports based on RHS
data will continue to be available on FNIGC’s website,
FNIGC.ca.
RHS - 2008: All 18 chapters are available
The Regional Health Survey
(RHS) Highlights and 18 chapters are now available on
the FNQLHSSC’s website
(www.cssspnql.com). They
are grouped in five volumes:
1)
Socio-demographic profile
2)
Social wellness
3)
Lifestyle
4)
Physical health
5)
Health care services.
For any information, please call Mr. Mathieu-Olivier
Côté, research agent, at 418 842-1540.
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Eagle Village
A magnificent monument
in memory of the Indian residential schools
This past November 7, the community of Eagle Village –
Kipawa unveiled, during a superb ceremony, an imposing
monument to commemorate the survivors of the Indian
residential schools. AFNQL Chief Ghislain Picard, Chantal
Cleary of the FNQLHSSC and several invited guests were
on hand for this emotion-filled ceremony. The event also
allowed former students to speak about their shared
memories of their time in the residential schools.
The commemorative monument, which is a magnificent
collective work, is on display next to the lake. It will serve
as a place to gather and to reflect in quiet meditation.
Parts of the monument are based on the form of an arrowhead, which was used because of its longstanding
relationship with the Algonquin people. Each of these
parts represents a school that the Algonquin children of
Eagle Village attended. In addition, some bricks used for
the concept come from the site of the Spanish Indian Residential School in Ontario. A magnificent fireplace stands
beside the monument. It evokes the seven sacred teachings, as the signs of respect and sharing that constitute
the foundation of the way of life.
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Panorama and Information resources
Panorama/SI-PMI
I-CLSC
On an upside note, uncertainties in the political, legal
and medical IT world has brought about changes, notably on: bill 59 on public health, on the conversion of
vaccination data and on the deployment of the second
module: immunization.
The summer has been busy for our I-CLSC deployment
team. Deployment initiatives and training has given the
team the opportunity to recently visit the following communities and give the following trainings:

Natashquan: social services
Thus, the deployment scheduled for 2013 has been
postponed to 2015 in light of the recent changes to
legislation. The issue at hand with Bill 59 is the basis
for the data entry without the user’s consent. This hence
impacts the possibility for a First Nation indicator, making it a discriminating factor and removing any information that does not have a direct impact to the medical application of the vaccination act. The complicated
nature of the implicit consent has also created a chain
reaction of changes to be made to the system explaining the delays.

Mani Utenam: social services

Pessamit: social services

Opitciwan: social services

Three refresher trainings in French and English in
Wendake

Listuguj: social services
Natashquan : health services

Timiskaming: social services
More clarifications on the direction of the deployment
with the Immunization module are expected in the spring
of 2014.

Standardized reports
Inventory module deployments have continued in the
province with a total of 11 communities actively ordering immunization products through SI-PMI.
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
Other trainings will be offered in February and March:
For those who want to express interest in obtaining
training or more information on current orientation
please communicate with Mr. Bruno Tremblay, Infostructure Project Manager, or Mr. Steven Gros-Louis, Infostructure Liaison Agent, by phone at 418-842-1540.
Handle food safely!
Food safety is important. If you eat or serve food that hasn't
been properly handled, you and your family could get sick.
You could have stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
and fever.
Whether it is while hunting, fishing, at community events or at
home, some simple tips can help you avoid a lot of trouble.
For example, always keep raw meat, fish and poultry separate from cooked foods. It is also important to wash and
sanitize work surfaces before and after preparing foods.
For more tips on food safety, visit: http://
www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/eating-nutrition/safetysalubrite/first-premieres-nations-eng.php.
To put on the agenda
Events organised by the FNQLHSSC
March 17 to 19
Quebec First Nations Regional Infostructure Meeting
Palace royal, Québec
www.cssspnql.com/infostructure2014
March 25 and 26
Regional Meeting on Health Human Resources
Our human resources, the heart of our services
Palace royal, Quebec City
This meeting aims at offering health and social services managers and computer technicians an opportunity to share and
update their knowledge on infostructure, both at the technical
and administrative levels.
The objectives are to inform and better equip managers
(health and social services directors and general directors)
and human resources coordinators for First Nations communities and organizations on topics concerning human resources
management
External events
6th National Conference to beat cancer
April 3 and 4, 2014
Hyatt Regency Montreal
www.conferencecancer.com
1 888-726-8302
[email protected]
International Health Data Linkage Conference
April 28-30, 2014
Hyatt Regency Vancouver
613-288-9239 ext. 101
[email protected]
QICSS (Quebec inter-University Centre for Social Statistics)
International Conference
Social policy and health inequalities: An international perspective
May 7-9, 2014
Complexe des sciences (UQÀM) Montreal
www.ciqss.umontreal.ca/conf2014/en.html
[email protected]
Public Health 2014
(Canadian Public Health Association annual conference )
May 26-29, 2014
Sheraton Centre Toronto
613 725-3769 ext. 126
http://www.cpha.ca/en/conferences/conf2014.aspx
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Staff news
Early childhood sector
Social development sector
Ms. Maya Cousineau-Mollen, an Innu, joined the early childhood team last September as a community projects development agent (agreement with Avenir d'enfants). Previously, she
worked for over 6 years as a liaison agent for Aboriginal Affairs to the Commission de la construction du Québec for the Innu
and Naskapi communities.
Ms. Karine Awashish, an Atikamekw who comes from the community of Opitciwan, took on her new duties as a social economy advisor last August. She obtained her master's degree in
Aboriginal social economy and has worked for several social
economy enterprises including the Co-opérative Inter-Nations,
the Coopérative des arts Nehirowisiw and the Land InSights
organisation. Her mandate consists of promoting, supporting,
fostering and consolidating the emergence of this social and
economic development model among the First Nations.
Information resources sector
Ms. Isabelle Cornet was hired as a nurse trainer as part of the
diabetic retinopathy screening project last September. Her Quebec
experience began at Ste-Justine Hospital and crossed over into
public health and sexual health, particularly in multiethnic environments. She came from Val-d'Or, where she worked since 2004 on
STBBI - HIV/AIDS prevention among marginalised people, both
Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal alike, as a nurse navigator
responsible for developing the Pikatemps partnership program.
Social services sector
Ms. Sophie Pelletier has worked as an addictions counsellor at
the FNQLHSSC since July 2013. She has completed several courses in counseling and has extensive experience in this field, primarily as an addictions counsellor in treatment centres. She has worked
with the First Nations clientele since 1994. She has a certificate in
addictions and has received Level 2 certification from the First
Nations Wellness and Addictions Counsellor Certification Board.
Ms Kathleen Deschenes Cayer, Anishnabe, was hired in December as a social crisis and family violence advisor. She has
worked for government agencies and aboriginal organisations for
15 years. She has been working in the social crisis field since she
received her duel diploma in addictions counselling and pharmacology a dozen years ago. She is also certified in suicide prevention, family violence.
Research sector
Mr. Matthieu Gill-Bougie joined the research sector last July. As
a member of the Innu Nation of Mashteuiatsh who has studied in
social and cultural anthropology at the Université Laval, he has
served as a technical research assistant and participated in
the deployment of the first phase of the First Nations Regional
Early Childhood, Education and Employment Survey.
Mrs. Jane Dawson, Innu, joined the Commission as a secretary
in January. She replaces Mrs. Anne P. Savard (on maternity
leave) until August 2014. Jane provides secretarial assistance to
the Social Development and Research Sectors.
Ms. Émilie Grantham is on maternity leave until September.
Administration sector
Mrs. Chantale Picard, member of the Huron-Wendat Nation,
joined the communications team in January 2013 as a Linguistic
Services Coordinator. She has been working in the field of
translation since 1995.
Leaves
Please note that Line Vaillancourt, Stéphane Savard, Eve-Lyne
Rondeau, Danielle Chantal, and Stéphan Nepton Villeneuve
have left to face new challenges.
FIRST NATIONS OF QUEBEC AND LABRADOR
HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES COMMISSION
250 place Chef Michel-Laveau suite 102
Wendake (Quebec) G0A 4V0
Phone: 418 842-1540 Fax: 418 842-7045
Email: [email protected] Website: www.cssspnql.com
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