AFN and the Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada Continue Collaborative Efforts to Improve…
February 9, 2011
AFN and the Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada Continue Collaborative Efforts to Improve First Nations Health
Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo and Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada (ANAC) President Evelyn Voyageur agreed to continue collaborative and cooperative efforts in the advancement and improvement of the health status of First Nation citizens in Canada.
“The AFN is proud to support ANAC’s ongoing work, which helps promote the development and practice of Aboriginal Health Nursing while at the same time developing and maintaining the partnerships necessary to improve health in First Nation communities,” said AFN National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo. “Our Partnership Agreement sets out a plan for us to continue to promote and support the recruitment and retention of Indigenous nursing students. The agreement will also focus on enhancing the ability of non-First Nation nurses to work with First Nation patients and communities. We look forward to working together with ANAC on our shared goal of improving health services for First Nation citizens.”
AFN and ANAC signed a Partnership Agreement during the AFN Special Chiefs Assembly in December 2010. The agreement outlines the relationship between the two organizations to work together on mutually supportive initiatives as part of a First Nations Health Action Plan. This includes strengthening the First Nations Health Human Resource strategy, with specific attention to the recruitment and retention of First Nations, preferably in the planning of health human resources and education for para and professional patient-centered practices. This will also provide First Nation health care professionals with the opportunity to address under-representation and other concerns within the nursing practice.
“Partnerships like this one are key to supporting ANAC’s goal of putting Aboriginal health in the hands of Aboriginal peoples,” said ANAC President Evelyn Voyageur. “We need cultural safety for all First Nations, Inuit and Métis to improve the gap in health that exists between Aboriginal people and other Canadians.”
The Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada (ANAC) is a voluntary association of First Nations, Inuit and Métis nurses, nursing students and interested nurses and healthcare professionals wanting to improve Aboriginal health. Their mandate includes working with communities, organizations and health professionals on health related issues with a view to benefiting Aboriginal peoples of Canada by improving their health and well-being. Information on ANAC and the cultural safety course is available at www.anac.on.ca.
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nation citizens in Canada.
For more information please contact:
Jenna Young, Communications Officer, Assembly of First Nations 613-241-6789, ext 401, 613-314-8157 (mobile) or jyoung@afn.ca
Alain Garon, AFN Bilingual Communications Officer 613-241-6789, ext 382, 613 292-0857 or agaron@afn.ca
