Thirty-one First Nation Chiefs and about 100 health directors, health professionals, and representatives from Ontario and Canada gathered to review the Anishnawbe Health Plan (AHP), obtain the Chiefs’ approval, and start the implementation process.  

When finished, the AHP will see First Nations managing and governing their own Health System both at the community and district level. 

In addition to approving the AHP, the Chiefs also approved a resolution directing that all the hospital amalgamation savings, or Reinvestment Funding, go straight to the communities.  This $3.14 million will become available starting at the end of September 2006, and will continue in future years.  It is to be used on community health priorities. 

Changes in the Anishnawbe Health Plan will take more time, and will be done at the pace of each First Nation community. Implementation planning will be completed by September 2006.  Then the Chiefs Committee on Health will begin negotiating funding.  Changes in the AHP include more emphasis on using Anishnawbe ways in health services, including traditional specialists or ooweechiwaywin, and having services under First Nations control, including community nurses and physicians.  Staff with specific responsibility in public health, community development, as well as more treatment nurses, specialized visiting rehabilitation staff, more translators and other support staff is also proposed in the Plan. 

Some objectives of the Anishnawbe Health Plan are:

1)     In five years, 65% of our communities will have fully integrated program teams (chronic diseases, mother and child health, or mental health and addictions). In ten years it will be 80%.

2)     In five years, 50% of the communities will have the mechanisms and policies to include language, traditions and culture within today’s context in service delivery. In ten years, it will be 75% of the communities.

3)     In five years, 100% of our leaders and managers and 50% of our front line workers will have the skills to meet their respective jobs. In ten years, it will be 80% of our front line workers.        

The Chiefs passed the resolutions about the Plan being presented by the Sioux Lookout First Nation Health Authority, and wanted the planning team to work closely with First Nations and the Health Directors to make sure the implementation process is successful from the community’s view. Other resolutions that followed saw the Sioux Lookout Zone Chiefs in Assembly:

1)     Accept the interim report from the health plan and mandate the SLFNHA to continue with the planning process.

2)     Conclude the AHP includes structure that supports and enhance First Nation autonomy in delivering their existing health services.

3)      Mandate the SLFNHA to work in consultation with the Sioux Lookout Zone First Nations and Tribal Councils on Health planning.

4)      Mandated the Chief’s Committee on Health to guide and direct the Anishinawbe Health Planning process.

5)      Direct the SLFNHA to develop a negotiation framework and that it develop this framework under the direction of the Chiefs’ Committee on Health.

6)     Follow the NAN/Canada Bi-Lateral agreement on Health Care and make provisions for “Net Funding” in the amount of $3.14 million (1994 dollars) that will be saved from the amalgamation of the two hospitals, to be re-invested in First Nation community based health programs.