Métis Nation of Alberta hopeful federal health legislation will open the door to Métis-led health care
"It's not just words anymore – we're starting to see movement."
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The Métis Nation of Alberta says it’s hopeful future federal health legislation will lead to Métis people in the province being able to lead their own health-care decision making.
More than 200 citizens of the nation and self-identifying Métis in the province registered to attend a health forum organized by the nation on Saturday to ensure their voices are included in the drafting of distinctions-based Indigenous health legislation expected to be introduced in 2024.
Reagan Bartel, the nation’s director of health, told Postmedia the process is an essential part of self-governance, and last Saturday’s event, which also included representatives from the federal government, is an example of reconciliation.
“For once, nobody’s dictating it to us. They’re asking us, ‘Is this a good way?’ … That historically, isn’t the way things have worked,” said Bartel.
“It’s not just words anymore — we’re starting to see movement.”
It comes after Ottawa launched public engagement over new distinctions-based Indigenous health legislation in January 2021. Bartel said leaders expect to meet with federal counterparts this spring to help develop the legislation.
“(It) is going to allow us, hopefully — if we can get it right — have the opportunity to set our own priorities within health and that is massive. That is obviously what our ancestors and our current leaders have been fighting for,” she said.
The MNA wants to see the legislation address a lack of access to culturally appropriate and safe care that respects Métis Peoples’ unique healthcare needs.
More services for seniors, Métis-led clinics
Bartel said the forum heard from community members about the importance of improved services for seniors, better dental services, the need for Métis-led health clinics, and more recruitment and retention in rural areas for Métis health-care professionals.
“Those are things that can be enshrined in federal health legislation and put into practice at the provincial level, so we’re quite excited to have this tool and to see it moving forward,” she said.
The Métis Nation of Alberta hopes to establish a Métis-led, owned, and operated comprehensive health and wellness centre, where citizens can access a variety of services, from parenting classes to primary care. Bartel said the dream is to build more than one, and future federal legislation could help by mandating specific goals, including sustainable, predictable funding.
“It opens the door for us to actually be able to find the infrastructure and capital dollars, to staff the clinics,” she said.
Métis Nation of Alberta president Audrey Poitras said in a news release that with the nation’s ratification of its Otipemisiwak Métis Government Constitution in November and recent signing of the Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Agreement with Canada, the Department of Health will be able to provide expanded and improved programming.
“Legislation will support these agreements and we look forward to continuing to work with the Government of Canada to ensure Métis can lead their own health care design, delivery, and decision-making into the future,” said Poitras, adding that the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples underscores that as an inherent right.
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