In 2007 the (MFNPHIPP) was being undertaken by the Four Arrows Regional Health Authority to serve the communities of Garden Hill, Red Sucker Lake, St. Theresa Point, and Wasagamack. The overall goal is using a broad definition of public health as the prevention of disease and the promotion of health, to strive for the most positive outcomes of health status in individuals, families, and communities, with emphasis on:

Raising immunization levels above the national standards;
Developing the systems necessary so that infectious diseases are controlled promptly and effectively;
Minimizing environmental risks; and,
Preventing chronic diseases, and reducing their effects when they occur.

It is recognized that accomplishing these goals requires a stronger public health system, with improved and clarified relationships with the provincial public health system, clarity of the responsibilities of all jurisdictions involved in public health in First Nations communities, and increased capacity to carry out public health work in the communities (both with increased knowledge of current public health and other health staff and with increased number of public health staff).

The partners involved in the MFNPHIPP include:
The Island Lake communities of Garden Hill, Red Sucker Lake, St. Theresa Point, and Wasagamack were involved from the beginning but now has been reduced to Garden Hill and Wasagamack.
Four Arrows Regional Health Authority (FARHA)
Manitoba Health
Northern Medical Unit, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba
First Nations and Inuit Health (Manitoba Region and National)
Assembly of First Nations

As of April 1, 2011, the final and implementation year will be underway with the cooperation of communities involved.

The Public Health Pilot Project is a national project under AFN and the other two projects that are involved are Kenora Chiefs Advisory Council and File Hills Fort Qu’Appelle Tribal Council.

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Summary

The youth and elders all indicated that this was a first time that this kind of session has occurred. Their desire is to keep this momentum going and continue this process of passing on the knowledge. The elders expressed a concern that we are losing these teachings at a rapid rate and our own people will not even know what traditional knowledge is so the continuing of transfer of knowledge needs to be done. It is too important for our people, for our children and grandchildren and their children because once it is lost, it is gone, and while we have the chance to rebuild and grow, we should take that opportunity to use our elders and youth together.

One suggestion was that these gatherings be done in conjunction with the four seasons in the future. Each season has a different role in regards to traditional medicine/food/knowledge etc so to host forums/workshops during these specific seasons, the focus will more defined and this way the youth and communities will also learn about how the seasons work with the elders teachings and knowledge.

We would like lastly to thank the Kevin Beardy, Kathi Kinew Avery, Leanne Gillis, Byron Beardy and Andy Wood for all their assistance and to Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs for this wonderful opportunity. It was well received and as stated in the opening remarks, according to the participants this has never been done and would to continue so from Four Arrows RHA communities we thank you.

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