Recognition for excellence in nursing
Nutrition North Canada to support healthy eating in the North
NTI sees potential in changes to Food Mail Program
MP Bruinooge loses 60 lbs. on Aboriginal diet
Recognition for excellence in nursing
On May 14th, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, acknowledged the hard work and dedication of three exceptional nurses who were presented with the National Award of Excellence in Nursing for their work in First Nations and Inuit communities. The ceremony took place at the Government Conference Centre in Ottawa.
“The Award of Excellence in Nursing is about recognizing the devotion and commitment that nurses have demonstrated in First Nations and Inuit communities across Canada,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “I am honoured to recognize Tina Buckle, Christi-Ann Poulette and June Fry for their outstanding work in their respective communities. The level of care and compassion for others and their devotion to the nursing profession makes these three individuals exceptional recipients for this award.”
Nurses play a critical function in providing essential health services to Aboriginals in Canada. Of the 258,000 nurses employed in Canada, approximately 1,200 are working in First Nations and Inuit communities. The Award of Excellence in Nursing was developed in 2003 to acknowledge the hard work and determination of these nurses. The selection process for the designation is based on nominations from peers as well as from members of the community.
Tina Buckle
Goose Bay, NL
As a clinical manager of nursing care in Nunatsiavut, Tina stands out to her colleagues as innovative, determined and an advocate for her clients. She is well known for her work in the areas of home care and public health. Tina worked with the Government of Nunatsiavut to develop an innovative home-support training program; assisted in managing a tuberculosis outbreak by leading immunization clinics and assisted in the development of pandemic plans for future public health emergencies. Tina continues to broaden her skill set through training--both for herself and for others. She uses her training to teach colleagues, new nurses and students about public and community health and home care. Tina remains committed to her clients and is always looking for ways to improve health care delivery.
Christi-Ann Poulette
London, ON
Christi-Ann is a registered nurse and member of the Oneida Nation of the Thames. She plays a key role on her community’s crisis management team and in the delivery of quality, client-focussed health care. Colleagues and clients credit Christi-Ann with going above and beyond her regular duties as a nurse to ensure critical emergency care is always available. She works with community members to address emergency situations and to provide appropriate health resources, referrals and support. In addition to her front-line work, Christi-Ann collaborates with stakeholders to provide health programming for her community. She recently authored a mass immunization strategy and represented the Oneida Nation at the National Immunization Conference. Christi-Ann also volunteers with a victim services organization, sits on a number of health boards and organized community H1N1 and flu vaccination clinics.
June Fry
Happy Valley Goose Bay, NL
June has served the people of Labrador for the majority of her 25-year nursing career. As one of the longest serving staff members of the Labrador Innu Comprehensive Healing Strategy, June has a well-established relationship with her clients. She incorporates Innu culture and beliefs into every aspect of her practice, earning a reputation as a dedicated, client-focussed, health professional. June works with local staff to adapt health programming to suit the needs of her clients. This includes translating programs into a local dialect and breaking programs down into smaller, easier to understand modules. She has helped improve working relationships between communities and the provincial health authority. She also advocates for equal access to mental health and addictions services. June’s commitment to culturally-relevant health care has earned her one of the greatest rewards: “the trust of the communities she serves”.
Nutrition North Canada to support healthy eating in the North
A new northern food retail subsidy program called Nutrition North Canada will make healthy food more accessible and affordable to Canadians living in isolated Northern communities. Nutrition North Canada, which replaces the Food Mail Program, was announced May 14th. Under the new program, the most nutritious perishable foods such as fruits, vegetables, bread, fresh meats, milk and eggs will receive the highest rate of subsidy. The revised list of eligible items also includes a provision to improve access to commercially-produced traditional, Northern foods.
Nutrition North Canada, which will benefit people living in eligible communities in the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador, will be implemented in phases. The transition to the new program begins with the release of a revised eligibility list, which will come into effect on October 3, 2010. Full implementation will occur on April 1, 2011.
NTI sees potential in changes to Food Mail Program
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. President Paul Kaludjak said he is pleased to see movement to improve the Food Mail Program but is cautious about the program’s transformation into the Nutrition North Canada Program.
“I have heard for many years now from beneficiaries that the savings through the Food Mail Program aren’t seen at the consumer level.” said Kaludjak. “I am glad we now have an opportunity to address accountability.
We need to see mechanisms in place to ensure the savings are going to the consumers.”
One of the welcomed revisions is addressing the need to ship country food more affordably.
“Country food is the most viable nutritious option in our diet and it is very important culturally. I am glad to see commercially produced country food covered in the new program but it needs to go a step further and allow individuals to send country food to family and friends with subsidized shipping.”
Another positive change is the introduction of an Advisory Board to the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs.
“To date we have not been consulted about changes to this program, but under Article 32 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement all programs administered in Nunavut by the government must involve Inuit in the design and delivery of the program.” said Kaludjak. “The Advisory Board is a step in the right direction but it is important to remember it doesn’t negate Article 32, it complements it. We still need to be involved and consulted with the design of the program.” concluded Kaludjak.
MP Bruinooge loses 60 lbs. on Aboriginal diet
Rod Bruinooge, MP for Winnipeg South, set an ambitious New Year’s Resolution at the end of 2009: lose 60 lbs. by returning to an Aboriginal diet.
Now he’s sharing his story to help highlight serious health concerns amongst Aboriginals.
“The high-sugar, low-fibre diet that’s far too common amongst Aboriginals is slowly killing our people,” said Bruinooge. “Statistics suggest that Aboriginals are especially susceptible to conditions such as diabetes. In fact, the rate of diabetes is very alarming and shows the need for a drastic change in diet.”
Fifty years ago, diabetes was very rare in Aboriginal communities, but the rate of the disease among First Nations is now three times the national average.
Health Canada now considers diabetes in First Nations communities an epidemic, and the problem is getting worse in all age groups.
“I have a history of diabetes in my family, and I decided that I had to face this reality,” said Bruinooge. “Many Aboriginals are making the same mistakes that I was, and I hope I can help them get back to a traditional, healthy diet.”
On May 31st, Bruinooge will be participating in a national conference in Winnipeg, “Safe and Healthy Food: Harvesting the Science.” He is co-chair of a session on the health challenges facing Aboriginals and will present his strategy for losing weight and reducing the risk of diabetes.
“I believe encouraging a more traditional Aboriginal diet can be part of the solution to this growing problem,” said Bruinooge. “I expect this conference will facilitate much needed discussion and build momentum for possible solutions going forward.”