Have First Nations Engaged The Province Enough when Advancing Community Priorities?
"Building Stronger Pathways: Advancing First Nation Health Through Provincial Partnership in Ontario"
Leaders of First Nations in northern Ontario ask for seat at health-care table
Ontario has taken significant steps to advance First Nation health care by fostering Indigenous-led initiatives, investing in collaborative health system transformation, and providing targeted funding to support the unique needs of First Nation communities. However, greater integration with the provincial health system is essential for advancing critical health issues and projects in First Nation communities.
Key Advances and Specific Examples:
Ontario Health Teams (OHTs): OHTs require partnerships with Indigenous-governed organizations. Any OHT application involving First Nations must secure endorsement from those communities, ensuring their direct involvement in planning, design, delivery, and evaluation of health services. This is aimed at reducing health disparities and providing culturally safe care.
Health System Transformation in Northern Ontario: The Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), Indigenous Services Canada, and Ontario Ministry of Health signed the Charter of Relationship Principles Governing Health System Transformation in NAN Territory, committing to transformative change and increasing First Nations-led control over health service design, administration, and delivery.
Indigenous Health Equity and Coordination: Ontario Health actively builds partnerships with First Nations leadership and organizations to support Indigenous-led health initiatives and coordinates priorities across the province. This relationship-driven model ensures that system planning reflects Indigenous needs and perspectives.
Indigenous Cancer Care Partnerships: Ontario Health (formerly Cancer Care Ontario) has a longstanding model of prioritizing Indigenous engagement, beginning with the Joint Ontario Indigenous Cancer Committee in 1997. This approach now extends more broadly to address other pressing Indigenous health concerns.
Funding Opportunities For First Nation Communities:
1. Indigenous Health Equity Fund:
Provides $2 billion over 10 years ($200 million annually) for Indigenous-led, culturally safe health services.
Distinctions-Based Funding: $190 million/year to support First Nations, allowing flexibility for primary care, health infrastructure, public health, and mental wellness priorities.
Targeted Initiatives: $10 million/year for short-term, innovative projects addressing specific Indigenous health priorities (up to $500,000 per project annually).
2. Ministry of Health/Indigenous Affairs Ontario:
Indigenous Healing and Wellness Strategy: Supports community wellness through Indigenous-led programs and culturally grounded health services.
Ontario's First Nations Health Care Plan: Offers both direct service provision and collaboration with community health centres and Indigenous organizations for broader healthcare delivery.
Public Health Engagement: Funding and resources for partnership development, emergency preparedness, dental, environmental health, and health promotion in collaboration with First Nations.
3. Ministry of Long-Term Care:
Supports Indigenous-run and culturally responsive long-term care homes and initiatives (details available through Indigenous programs and services portals).
4. Associate Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions:
Prioritizes culturally appropriate mental health and wellness supports, including community-based programming and access to Indigenous mental health services.
5. Federal Supports (Through Indigenous Services Canada):
Additional funds for home and community care, health adaptation, environmental contaminants, health services integration, and non-insured health benefits.
Why Integration with the Provincial System Is Critical:
Coordinated Care: Many health services for First Nations are administered by various federal, provincial, and Band-level jurisdictions, leading to fragmentation that impedes efficiency and patient outcomes.
Scalability and Resource Leverage: Provincial partnerships enable access to larger infrastructure, public health, and long-term care funding sources not available strictly through federal programs.
Sustained Progress: Integration ensures that projects and initiatives receive ongoing support, policy alignment, and are embedded in provincial health priorities so that health disparities can be addressed both locally and system-wide.
Cultural Safety and Community Influence: Formal engagement channels, as mandated by OHTs and supported by Ontario Health frameworks, empower First Nations' self-determination and ensure health solutions are shaped by the community's values and lived experience.
TheCCSGroup Formula for Success: Engaging Key Ontario Ministries
While Ontario has made substantial commitments and investments in advancing First Nation health care, active integration and engagement with the provincial health system is necessary to unlock the full potential of funding, policy influence, and service innovation for First Nation communities.
This approach supports both Indigenous-led health priorities and system-wide improvements, serving as a foundation for a healthier future for all First Nations in Ontario.
Over the years, TheCCSGroup has been able to unlock many First Nation opportunities through accessing Provincial Ministries and funding envelopes within: Indigenous Affairs Ontario, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and Premier’s Office.
Mushkegowuk Tribal Council had their communities asking the very same question: How can we work with Ontario to address critical issues to address health and poverty issues within their communities?
TheCCSGroup worked together with Mushkegowuk Tribal Council on organizing a Health Summit, with key Ministers attending to see how collaboration and partnership initiatives can be advanced. Minister’s message to First Nation Leadership:
Ontario is seeking to advance community priorities in partnership with First Nation communities (See video below).
If you’re a community is seeking to advance your issues forward, TheCCSGroup can assist you in your engagement with Ontario.
Connect with One of Our Consultants:
ron@theccsgroup.ca or call us 416 944-8555 and we can show you how.