The leaders of two northern Indigenous organizations have expressed frustrations with the region’s health care body.

 

A press release from MKO and Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin states they’ve received reports of incidents of mistreatment of First Nations people seeking health care recently.

 

This was brought to the attention of the Northern Health Region’s board in a meeting earlier this month.

 

KIM CEO Doctor Barry Lavallee says while the response from the board was supportive at first, he alleges there was laughter when one of the Chiefs in the delegation was recounting their experience about the death of a family member.

 

While both organizations expect that they will continue to work with the NHR, they state a new governance arrangement where First Nations take the lead is essential to real transformation in the north.

 

Lavallee adds he’s optimistic that there are those in the system who are happy to work with them towards changes the people need in the north, and is looking forward to making an announcement about the work to end anti-Indigenous racism in the northern health care system “very soon”.