First Nations Voice

FEBRUARY 2014 • PAGE 5 OpenHouse NewPrograms.NewPartners.NewFuture. OpenCampuses: FultzCampus–7FultzBoulevard HenlowCampus–130HenlowBay PembinaCampus–1551PembinaHighway Thursday,February13 th 9:00amto8:00pm EDUCATION EMPLOYMENT FOR wtc.mb.ca 204.989.6500 On Tuesday, January 8, 2014, the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF), and Norway House Cree Nation (NHCN) announced their new health based joint venture, a unique economic partnership between The Metis Economic Development Organization (MEDO), the crown corporation of the (MMF), and Kinosao Sipi Business Development Corporation (KSBDC), the economic development wing of NHCN, at a press conference held at the MMF. The first of its kind, this joint-venture is focused on improving and enhancing pharmacy services and includes a new pharmacy which will be re-located from the Norway House Clinic to the Kistapinanihk Shopping Mall. This community-owned and community-driven business model, similar to the Metis owned MEDO Care Pharmacy located at 150 Henry Avenue, will create better health outcomes, shared revenue, employment opportunities, direct benefits to the community (and its members) and ultimately build capacity for NHCN in the area of health/pharmacy services and transportation. "This visionary partnership exemplifies how our two nations can work together to achieve our collective goals," explained NHCN Chief Ron Evans. "Together we have identified how we can be proactive in improving the health of our communities and secure economic sustainability while addressing many of the social and economic challenges faced by both First Nation and Metis communities in the north." "This is both a ground breaking and land mark opportunity that will greatly benefit all parties involved," said MMF President David Chartrand. "We have taken a great step with the MMF working hand-in-hand with NHCN in working towards financial sustainability for both our peoples. Not only does this partnership focus on our two nations combined purchasing power, but we are giving back to the community economically and creating employment opportunities." Norway House and MEDO Care have entered into a limited partnership agreement and each will act as general partners, driving the development of pharmacy– including many value-added services (e.g. free prescription pick-up and delivery, one-on- one video conferencing with pharmacists, the Affinity Card (point system) etc.). Managed by the partnership, this initiative will ensure a community focussed business model. It will demonstrate a way of capturing market share, while at the same time providing a launching point for Norway House citizens to begin taking ownership of their own health care needs through a professional, caring, community-focused pharmacy. From a business development perspective, NHCN will have the opportunity to pursue a substantial revenue-sharing arrangement with MEDO Care Pharmacy. Under this agreement, much of the profits generated from dispensing fees, over-the-counter medications (OTC), and other health related products will be returned to the community's economy ad to the people of NHCN. Close to 5,800 NHCN members live on- reserve, while over 1,700 live off-reserve, many in urban settings. NHCN members living off-reserve and those transported to Winnipeg for medical treatment will also have access to the MEDO Care Pharmacy and its services. Chief Evans further stated that "By aligning our interests, we are also creating opportunities for better health outcomes, the provision of health services, capacity building and financial solutions that will benefit us all in the decades to come." Staff the first of its kind…a new health based joint venture T he Diversity Relations Section (DRS) delivers the Aboriginal Awareness Training to members of the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) regarding contemporary Aboriginal issues. This includes presentations on the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry, present social conditions, treaties, land claims, access to education and public movements such as Idle No More. As a police service we believe it is imperative to understand the historical context of Aboriginal peoples and the issues that affect both Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals alike. As facilitators it is our responsibility to ensure we deliver the best training available. The overall objective is to help create a greater understanding of the communities our members will be serving and to bring forth awareness of the factors that further enhance the understanding of differing cultures. In order to achieve our goals we look for Aboriginal presenters and resources who can share their experiences and perspectives through their oral history which is highly respected and recognized. We have had the opportunity to have presenters such as Former National Chief Ovide Mercredi, Former Grand Chief and Treaty Commissioner Dennis Whitebird and current Treaty Commissioner James Wilson, just to name a few. We do this by providing information from an Aboriginal perspective so that the members understand the current agreements and initiatives that we are committed to. The awareness training is designed to be educational and thought provoking. It is also designed to stimulate meaningful discussions. One area that we specifically highlight is the impacts of the Residential Schools era and the Intergenerational effects that resulted. On several occasions we've had the honor of inviting residential school survivors to tell their personal stories and speak about the realities of their experiences. They have been, for those present, very moving and emotional. We also have a vast resource of videos that we use during our training such as "Two Worlds Colliding", "8th Fire", "Wrapped in Plastic" and "Mission School Syndrome". As you can see our training is made up of a blend of presentations and videos from the past and present. You may be wondering why, but it is through this combination of approaches that we have an opportunity to explore the past so that we can give hope to changing the future. In order to determine our success, we ask the students to answer a number of Aboriginal related questions just before the training starts. The responses we receive are usually reported as knowing very little about Aboriginal issues. At the completion the recruits, cadets and civilian staff are again asked the same questions, only this time their ability to answer the questions correctly increases dramatically. In addition, most agree they learned new skills and felt they will be more effective in their jobs as a result. Based on the feedback and outcomes, the facilitators realize it is a measure of the importance and value of the Aboriginal Awareness training. The Winnipeg Police Service recognizes the value of Aboriginal awareness training and is truly grateful that we can impart this knowledge to our recruits, cadets and civilian staff. We are even more appreciative of our presenters and look forward to working together in the future. It is because of these partnerships that our training has been such a success. patrol sergeant Edith turner, constable rose ledoux, Community Relations Unit, Winnipeg Police Service AboriginAl issues tAke Center stAge in PoliCe trAining

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