Mr. Speaker, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action highlighted the fact that there is a gap between the health status of Aboriginal people and the rest of Canadians. The recommendations call for all governments delivering health and social services to ensure that services are culturally appropriate and that service providers are culturally competent. The Department of Health and Social Services is committed to achieving that goal, and although we still have a lot of work to do we have made substantial progress led by the wise counsel and advice of a group of respected elders from across the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize the work of the Stanton Elders’ Council. Since 2007 this committed group of volunteers has worked directly with the public administrator and management at Stanton Territorial Hospital to recommend improvements in programming and services which made the hospital more welcoming for Aboriginal people. In 2013 when the department established our new Aboriginal Health and Community Wellness Division we asked the Stanton Elders’ Council to take on an expanded role and work with our staff to make sure we get it right.
Members of this Assembly will have seen the results of the advice of the Stanton Elders’ Council provided, whether it was the implementation of Stanton's Tobacco Free policy or the department's Northwest Territories Cancer Strategy. The Stanton Elders’ Council has advanced work across our entire system and should be commended for their services. Patients in Stanton will have benefitted from the council's advice on access to traditional foods and other services within the hospital. In July of this year we will be saying goodbye to the Elders’ Council as we move to our new Territorial Health and Social Services Authority. Consistent with our emphasis on integrated care and services throughout the system, it is my intent to establish an Indigenous advisory council with broader terms of reference which will provide advice on cultural responsiveness across our system.
Mr. Speaker, the mandate of the 18thLegislative Assembly commits us to working in collaboration with Aboriginal governments and building stronger relationships with communities and stakeholders. I've reached out to Aboriginal governments across the Northwest Territories, invited them to help us design the terms of reference for this new advisory group. Today I'd like to acknowledge the incredible work and dedication of the members of the Stanton Elders’ Council and I would like to thank the following people: Francois Paulette has been the chair for the past nine years; Gabriel Hardisty, Marie Adele Rabesca, Florence Barnaby, Mary Teya, Pat Martel, Robert Sayine, Ernest Pokiak and James Christie. Their contribution to our system has been beyond measure and it will certainly have a lasting impact. I'd like to thank all these individuals for their dedication and hard work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.