Over the next year, the Erie St. Clair LHIN says it will be examining how to better serve First Nations communities in the area.
LHIN Aboriginal Lead Tanya Baniak says getting these two entities: an organization and a culture, to co-operate can be challenging. But they do share a common goal. "When we start looking at what brings us together, there is that commonality of having the best service for everybody regardless of race, colour, creed."
Some of the biggest chronic health problems aboriginal people face include high blood pressure, arthritis and diabetes. Diabetes is of particular concern, with the rate of cases in First Nations communities three times higher than the national rate.
Baniak says groups will discuss with First Nations members to pinpoint exactly what services they need to improve upon.