Dene Nation Information

The Dene Nation has supported the 'Principles to Guide Health Care Transformation in Canada' by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA). We are the first Aboriginal people to support and the 131st organization to officially endorse the document. In order to make progress and to improve the health of First Nations communities across Canada, strong principles are needed. The Dene Nation strongly supports the CMA's belief that a transformation of the health care system is critical to meet the needs of the future. The CMA report What Makes us Sick? calls for a comprehensive strategy and associated investments by the federal government to improve the health of our people, in partnership with non-governmental organizations and Aboriginal communities. The principles were developed in 2011 by the CMA and the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) to guide the transformation of the health care system in Canada. The goal is for Canada's public health care system to provide quality care and to be sustainable, equitable, accountable and patient-centered, with a greater emphasis on prevention. We encourage other First Nations and Aboriginal communities to endorse the principles. It is also our role to work closely with the medical profession to address the needs of our people. The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is the national voice of Canadian physicians. Founded in 1867, the CMA is a voluntary professional organization representing more than 78,000 of Canada's physicians and comprising 12 provincial and territorial medical associations and 51 national medical organizations. CMA's mission is to serve and unite the physicians of Canada and be the national advocate, in partnership with the people of Canada, for the highest standards of health and health care. Once again, thank you for participating. We need to hear your views and concerns as they relate to health and wellbeing of our people. As you know, as First Nations governments we are compelled to work with the federal and territorial governments to provide a good ...