The organization that represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan says it is time indigenous people develop a health system for themselves.
The call by the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations comes after the provincial government announced plans this week to consolidate 12 health regions into one health authority.
FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron says there’s concern the change is primarily driven by cost-cutting and will lower the standard of care for everyone.
“We don’t want anybody left behind,” Cameron said Friday.
“We don’t want anybody falling through the cracks where health services weren’t provided to them and we lose them for whatever reason, they create more or an illness or they just give up.”
The FSIN says the provincial health system has already failed indigenous people.
The federation says the Saskatchewan government, federal government and FSIN entered into a memorandum of understanding on health in 2008 to close the gaps in health programs and services.
But it says the Saskatchewan government has invested little into the implementation of the plan.
Cameron says indigenous people in Saskatchewan have been taking a greater role in the design and delivery of health services.
He notes that the All Nations Healing Hospital in Fort Qu’Appelle has successfully delivered health services to people in the area for more than 12 years.
“We have many, hundreds and thousands of qualified people in the health services occupation – indigenous people, who can do the work, who are doing the work and who fully understand what is required in each First Nation when it comes to health services because each community is unique, each community has their own needs and recommendations,” said Cameron.
Health Minister Jim Reiter said the consolidation is about better ways to deliver health care.
The change is based on recommendations made by an advisory panel tasked with reviewing Saskatchewan’s health system structure.
The panel said in report released this week that indigenous people need to be engaged in the process.
It said there should be a senior administrative role within the new provincial health authority with the responsibility for ensuring health care services respect indigenous and Metis patients.
“The health care system must be responsive and respectful of indigenous culture, and we must create space for indigenous voices to be heard at all levels,” it said.