Health

For the 2001 - 2002 fiscal year, Carol Terry and Sadie Maxwell filled the position of Health Liaison Officer for WFNC. Carol Terry left Windigo in November of 2001. The Windigo First Nations Council Health Liaison Officer Position was vacant for approximately two months and other WFNC staff members were assigned to some of the health duties to fill the void. In February 2002, Sadie Maxwell began her employment with WFNC as the Health Liaison Officer.

Achievements completed for fiscal year 2001 - 2002:

Continued Assistance provided to all WFNC communities in relation to the new health Consolidated Contribution Agreements (Pro Forma Agreements). Additional links and resources acquired during the review and advising process, which will be utilized during the upcoming fiscal year.

Windigo First Nations Council's Health department coordinated and facilitated a diabetes workshop for CHR's and interested members of WFNC in March of 2002. First Nations and Inuit Health Branch Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative, to cover the expenses of the three-day workshop in Sioux Lookout, provided funding. The Workshop was a

Seven of the workshop participants with a young guest - WFNC Diabetes Workshop

Assistance was provided to individual First Nations in relation to their Healthy Babies, Healthy Children community project. This is a provincially funded initiative administered by Nishnawbe-Aski Nation.

Non-Insured Health Benefits was an area where continual assistance was completed in regard to research, community and individual concerns addressed, with follow-up completed.

Assistance was provided to all WFNC First Nations in regard to their community crisis team funding. Nishnawbe-Aski Nation administers funding for First Nations to operate crisis teams at the community level. Each WFNC community has had the opportunity to apply for funding for this project.

The Windigo communities were kept informed on all health issues and concerns regarding the Sioux Lookout Zone. Continual support and guidance was provided to each First Nation on an "as needed" basis.

Patient Advocacy was an area that the Windigo Health department became involved in during this fiscal year. Assistance was provided to individual clients/ patients who had difficulties with Non-insured Health Benefits, complaints, lodging concerns, patient transportation, etc. The Windigo health department had been very successful providing these services.

Participants Learn about the complications of diabetes.

Objectives For Upcoming Fiscal Year:

• To ensure that health services at the community level within the Windigo communities are not jeopardized in any way and that all current information in relation to this is forwarded and explained in a timely manner.
• Provide workshops on various health related topics & illnesses. Continue to liaise for funding to cover expenses. Purchase resource materials such as videotapes and handouts.
• To ensure health issues such as diabetes, breast cancer, hazards of smoking, alcohol consumption, and fetal alcohol syndrome are addressed at the community level.
• To ensure patient/ family rights for adequate health care needs are met at the community level.
• To liaise with other health services organizations, government agencies, etc., on a continual basis to ensure issues and concerns are dealt with in a timely manner.

From the Annual Report 2002/2003

Windigo First Nations Council Health Department

For the 2002-2003 fiscal year, Sadie Maxwell continued to fill the position of Health Director for Windigo First Nations Council. During this fiscal year the Windigo First Nations Council Health Department expanded to offer new health services such as diabetes education, home and community care, long term care program, social services. Funding has been provided by First Nation & Inuit Health Branch, Aboriginal Healing Foundation, FNIHB Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative, Long Term Care Provincial Funding.

The following achievements were completed for fiscal year 2002-2003:

• Continued assistance provided to all WFNC communities in relation to the new health contribution agreements with First Nations & Inuit Health Branch and the WFNC communities;
• Successfully retained a diabetes educator/ Nutritionist for Windigo First Nations Council under the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative. Continued assistance was provided throughout this fiscal year in relation to diabetes education. This program has been very successful this year as we have managed to purchase some much needed resources for the communities and also provided a small workshop in most WFNC communities. Windigo First Nations Council had also produced a radio diabetes CD that can be played on local WFNC community radio stations. First Nations and Inuit Health Branch Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative provided funding. The diabetes Educator for WFNC is Natalia Morrison.
• Assisted and supervised Windigo First Nations Council Home and Community Care Program in various aspects of program operation.
• Coordinated new Social Services Program for Windigo First Nations Council. Windigo First Nations Council implemented a new service this fiscal year as directed by the Windigo First Nations Council Chiefs. During this implementation process a social services coordinator was hired. Ms. Joan Quequeish now fills this position. During this fiscal year we have been quite proud of our accomplishments in this area. WFNC has managed to assist many families and community members in the social services area.
• Coordinated and assisted in the implementation of the new Windigo First Nations Council "Wheel of Life" project funded by the Aboriginal Healing Foundation to address the Residential School Legacy within five WFNC communities.
• Continued assistance was provided to individual First Nations in relation to their Healthy Babies, Healthy Children and FAS/FAE, Child Nutrition community projects. These projects are provincially funded initiatives in which Nishnawbe-Aski Nation distributes funds and coordinates.
• Non-Insured Health Benefits continued to be an area where assistance is required by our First Nation communities.
• Assistance was provided to all WFNC First Nations in regard to their community crisis team funding. Nishnawbe-Aski Nation provides funding for First Nations to operate crisis teams. Each WFNC community has had the opportunity to apply for funding for this project.
• Continued assistance was provided to the WFNC communities in relation to the Sioux Lookout amalgamated hospital issue. Meno-yah-win Health Centre began full service in September 2002 meaning the two Sioux Lookout hospitals are now operating under amalgamated services.
• Patient Advocacy was an area that the Windigo Health department became involved in during this fiscal year. Assistance was provided to individual clients/patients whom has difficulties in regard to Non-insured Health Benefits, complaints, lodging, patient transportation, etc. The Windigo health department had been very successful in providing this service. During this fiscal year, the Social Services Coordinator took on this responsibility.

• To ensure adequate health services at the community level within the Windigo communities is not jeopardized in anyway. This will also include patient/family rights for adequate health care needs at the community level.
• Liaise for funding to cover expenses to purchase much needed resource materials such as videotapes, handouts, which promote healthy living.
• Continue to ensure health issues such as diabetes, breast cancer; hazards of smoking, alcohol consumption, and fetal alcohol syndrome are addressed at the community level.
• To liaise with other health services organizations, government agencies, etc. on a continual basis to ensure issues and concerns are dealt with in a timely manner.

Windigo Diabetes

Over the past number of years, Windigo First Nations Council has been responding to community requests for more information, resources and training about diabetes prevention and care.

The attached slideshow briefly explains why it is important to take diabetes seriously as well as how Windigo has been addressing community requests.

Many of the resources which have been developed, printed and sent up to the communities are now available as PDFs for anyone to download and use in the fight against diabetes.

• Diabetes Club Manual - A manual for the Windigo communities with suggestions for setting up and hosting a diabetes club. Ideas for sessions include: awareness, community kitchens, physical activity, relaxation and footcare.
• Backyard Veggies & Recipes for Northern Ontario" - a basic handbook with information on gardening in northern Ontario.  Recipes for using the harvest to create delicious meals are also provided!
• "Hey Kids! Let's Prevent Diabetes" - this pamphlet gives some healthy living tips to kids and parents for diabetes prevention.
• The Nature of Diabetes - this pamphlet provides basic information about what diabetes is, why there is so much of it, types of diabetes, why diabetes is serious and what to do about it.
• A Week of Healthy Meals and Recipes - this brochure folds out to illustrate what a week of healthy meals could look like.  Some recipes are provided on the back.
• This pamphlet describes basic kitchen equipment and "pantry" foods to keep in cupboards, fridges and freezers to create a large variety of healthy meals.  Buying the pantry items in bulk when they are available for a good price can help save money.  A few recipes are provided.
• I can win over diabetes?  Sweet!  A videogame puzzle book - this puzzle book was designed for students in grades 4-6, but can be used with any student as appropriate.  It helps students understand elements of diabetes prevention and encourages them to make an "action plan".  The puzzle book won the CDA's 2004 "Practical Diabetes Resource Award".  A series of lesson plans with suggested activities are also available.
• Diabetes Resource Guide - This basic, yet encompassing guide, covers such topics as what is diabetes, healthy eating, physical activity, stress management/relaxation, medications, blood glucose monitoring, preventing complications and "keeping track".
• Northern Ontario: Eat Well & Save Money - this brochure has a basic shopping list (divided by food groups).  It also has some tips for healthy eating for less money, a few recipes and a sample healthy menu for a day.