National Aboriginal Health Organization
Encyclopedia
The National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) is an Aboriginal
-designed and -controlled not-for-profit body in Canada
that works to influence and advance the health and well-being of Aboriginal Peoples.
Incorporated in 2000, NAHO receives core funding from Health Canada
to undertake knowledge-based activities such as education, research and knowledge dissemination.
With Aboriginal communities as its primary focus, NAHO gathers, creates, interprets, disseminates, and uses both traditional Aboriginal and contemporary western healing and wellness approaches.
NAHO defines Aboriginal Peoples using the Canadian Constitution Act, 1982
, sections 25
and 35
, to consist of three groups – Indian (First Nations
), Inuit
and Métis
.
Its main objectives are to improve and promote Aboriginal health, understanding of health issues affecting Aboriginal Peoples and research, foster participation of Aboriginal Peoples in delivery of health care, and affirm and protect Aboriginal traditional healing practices.
NAHO’s flagship publication is the Journal of Aboriginal Health
(JAH), which was launched in 2004. JAH
is a peer-reviewed publication with articles from leading health scholars, academics and Aboriginal community members. It offers in-depth analysis on emerging issues in the field, and each issue includes original research, editorials and suggestions for further reading.
, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
, the Métis National Council
, and Native Women's Association of Canada
. An additional five board members are elected by the 10 appointed board members.
NAHO is subdivided by three centres - the First Nations Centre (FNC), the Inuit Tuttarvingat (formerly known as the Ajunnginiq Centre) and the Métis Centre. They advance health and well-being by focusing on the distinct needs of their respective populations and promoting culturally relevant approaches to health care.
The FNC advances First Nations health knowledge. The FNC respects First Nations aspirations for self-determination, distinctiveness and diversity. Working with First Nations, the FNC creates, promotes and shares health information and research. The FNC develops tools and processes that assist in building capacity and transferring knowledge (http://www.naho.ca/firstnations/).
Inuit Tuttarvingat of the National Aboriginal Health Organization advances and promotes the health and well-being of Inuit individuals, families and communities by working in strong partnerships to collect information and share knowledge (http://www.naho.ca/inuit/).
The Métis Centre strives to develop accessible, culturally relevant and safe health and well-being information for a variety of audiences including, but not limited to, researchers, governments, and Métis individuals, families, and communities (http://www.naho.ca/metis/).
The Honouring Life Network is a project of the National Aboriginal Health Organization. The Web site offers culturally relevant information and resources on suicide prevention to help Aboriginal youth and youth workers dealing with a problem that has reached crisis proportions in some First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities in Canada (http://www.honouringlife.ca/content/welcome-youth-corner).
To promote healthy choices, NAHO celebrates the accomplishments of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis youth aged 13 to 30 in the National Aboriginal Role Model Program. Lead Your Way! inspires Aboriginal youth to strive to reach their goals. Each year, 12 Aboriginal role models are selected for their achievements, leadership, and innovation, who are nominated by their peers. Throughout the year, the role models will attend celebrations, school functions, workshops, and conferences to share their stories with other Aboriginal youth (http://www.naho.ca/rolemodel/).
NAHO is also a strong advocate of midwifery as a way to return births to Aboriginal communities, linking the loss of traditional birthing practices with the loss of cultural identity. It delivered several presentations on the subject at the Invitational Gathering on North American Indigenous Birthing and Midwifery in Washington DC, May 5-7, 2008. The Ajunnginiq Centre coordinates the Irnisuksiiniq Inuit Midwifery Network, and NAHO recently released a podcast
on midwifery.
Aboriginal peoples in Canada
Aboriginal peoples in Canada comprise the First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The descriptors "Indian" and "Eskimo" have fallen into disuse in Canada and are commonly considered pejorative....
-designed and -controlled not-for-profit body in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
that works to influence and advance the health and well-being of Aboriginal Peoples.
Incorporated in 2000, NAHO receives core funding from Health Canada
Health Canada
Health Canada is the department of the government of Canada with responsibility for national public health.The current Minister of Health is Leona Aglukkaq, a Conservative Member of Parliament appointed to the position by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.-Branches, regions and agencies:Health Canada...
to undertake knowledge-based activities such as education, research and knowledge dissemination.
With Aboriginal communities as its primary focus, NAHO gathers, creates, interprets, disseminates, and uses both traditional Aboriginal and contemporary western healing and wellness approaches.
NAHO defines Aboriginal Peoples using the Canadian Constitution Act, 1982
Constitution Act, 1982
The Constitution Act, 1982 is a part of the Constitution of Canada. The Act was introduced as part of Canada's process of "patriating" the constitution, introducing several amendments to the British North America Act, 1867, and changing the latter's name in Canada to the Constitution Act, 1867...
, sections 25
Section Twenty-five of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Section Twenty-five of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is the first section under the heading "General" in the Charter, and like other sections within the "General" sphere, it aids in the interpretation of rights elsewhere in the Charter...
and 35
Section Thirty-five of the Constitution Act, 1982
Section thirty-five of the Constitution Act, 1982 provides constitutional protection to the aboriginal and treaty rights of Aboriginal peoples in Canada. The section, while within the Constitution Act, 1982 and thus the Constitution of Canada, falls outside the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms...
, to consist of three groups – Indian (First Nations
First Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
), Inuit
Inuit
The Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
and Métis
Métis people (Canada)
The Métis are one of the Aboriginal peoples in Canada who trace their descent to mixed First Nations parentage. The term was historically a catch-all describing the offspring of any such union, but within generations the culture syncretised into what is today a distinct aboriginal group, with...
.
Its main objectives are to improve and promote Aboriginal health, understanding of health issues affecting Aboriginal Peoples and research, foster participation of Aboriginal Peoples in delivery of health care, and affirm and protect Aboriginal traditional healing practices.
NAHO’s flagship publication is the Journal of Aboriginal Health
Journal of Aboriginal Health
The Journal of Aboriginal Health is a peer-reviewed journal on Aboriginal health published by the National Aboriginal Health Organization of Canada. Launched in 2004, JAH features articles from leading health scholars, academics and Aboriginal community members.JAH was designed with the intent to...
(JAH), which was launched in 2004. JAH
Jah
Jah is the shortened form of the divine name YHWH , an anglicized version of the Tetragrammaton . The name is most commonly associated with the Rastafari movement or within the word hallelujah, although Christian groups may use the name to varying degrees. For example, Jehovah's Witnesses use a...
is a peer-reviewed publication with articles from leading health scholars, academics and Aboriginal community members. It offers in-depth analysis on emerging issues in the field, and each issue includes original research, editorials and suggestions for further reading.
Structure
NAHO is governed by a Board of Directors made up of 13 directors (one outgoing), 8 of which are appointed by:Congress of Aboriginal PeoplesCongress of Aboriginal Peoples
Congress of Aboriginal Peoples founded in 1971 as the Native Council of Canada, is a Canadian aboriginal organization, that represents Aboriginal Peoples who live off Indian reserves, either in urban and rural areas across Canada.Each CAP affiliate has its own constitution and is separately...
, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
The Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami is a nonprofit organization in Canada that represents over 50,400 Inuit. It was founded in 1971 by Tagak Curley as the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada...
, the Métis National Council
Métis National Council
The Métis National Council is the representative of the Northwest Métis people within Canada.-History:The National Council was formed in 1983, following the recognition of the Métis as an aboriginal people in Canada, in Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982...
, and Native Women's Association of Canada
Native Women's Association of Canada
The Native Women's Association of Canada, or NWAC, is one of Canada's National Aboriginal Organizations, and represents Aboriginal women, particularly First Nations and Métis women. Inuit women are represented by the separate organization, Pauktuutit...
. An additional five board members are elected by the 10 appointed board members.
NAHO is subdivided by three centres - the First Nations Centre (FNC), the Inuit Tuttarvingat (formerly known as the Ajunnginiq Centre) and the Métis Centre. They advance health and well-being by focusing on the distinct needs of their respective populations and promoting culturally relevant approaches to health care.
The FNC advances First Nations health knowledge. The FNC respects First Nations aspirations for self-determination, distinctiveness and diversity. Working with First Nations, the FNC creates, promotes and shares health information and research. The FNC develops tools and processes that assist in building capacity and transferring knowledge (http://www.naho.ca/firstnations/).
Inuit Tuttarvingat of the National Aboriginal Health Organization advances and promotes the health and well-being of Inuit individuals, families and communities by working in strong partnerships to collect information and share knowledge (http://www.naho.ca/inuit/).
The Métis Centre strives to develop accessible, culturally relevant and safe health and well-being information for a variety of audiences including, but not limited to, researchers, governments, and Métis individuals, families, and communities (http://www.naho.ca/metis/).
Activities
NAHO has a number of projects that address Aboriginal health care issues including suicide prevention, healthy living, midwifery, and traditional health and healing. It also publishes research on its Web site, and presents at a number of conferences related to Aboriginal health.The Honouring Life Network is a project of the National Aboriginal Health Organization. The Web site offers culturally relevant information and resources on suicide prevention to help Aboriginal youth and youth workers dealing with a problem that has reached crisis proportions in some First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities in Canada (http://www.honouringlife.ca/content/welcome-youth-corner).
To promote healthy choices, NAHO celebrates the accomplishments of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis youth aged 13 to 30 in the National Aboriginal Role Model Program. Lead Your Way! inspires Aboriginal youth to strive to reach their goals. Each year, 12 Aboriginal role models are selected for their achievements, leadership, and innovation, who are nominated by their peers. Throughout the year, the role models will attend celebrations, school functions, workshops, and conferences to share their stories with other Aboriginal youth (http://www.naho.ca/rolemodel/).
NAHO is also a strong advocate of midwifery as a way to return births to Aboriginal communities, linking the loss of traditional birthing practices with the loss of cultural identity. It delivered several presentations on the subject at the Invitational Gathering on North American Indigenous Birthing and Midwifery in Washington DC, May 5-7, 2008. The Ajunnginiq Centre coordinates the Irnisuksiiniq Inuit Midwifery Network, and NAHO recently released a podcast
Podcast
A podcast is a series of digital media files that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication...
on midwifery.
See also
- Indian Health Transfer Policy (Canada)Indian Health Transfer Policy (Canada)The Indian Health Transfer Policy of Canada, provided a framework for the assumption of control of health services by Aboriginal Canadians and set forth a developmental approach to transfer centred on the concept of self-determination in health. Through this process, the decision to enter into...
- Canada Health ActCanada Health ActThe Canada Health Act is a piece of Canadian federal legislation, adopted in 1984, which specifies the conditions and criteria with which the provincial and territorial health insurance programs must conform in order to receive federal transfer payments under the Canada Health Transfer...
- Canada Health TransferCanada Health TransferThe Canada Health Transfer is the Canadian government's transfer payment program in support of the health systems of the provinces and territories of Canada...
- Canada Health and Social TransferCanada Health and Social TransferThe Canada Health and Social Transfer was a system of block transfer payments from the Canadian government to provincial governments to pay for health care, post-secondary education and welfare, in place from the 1996-97 fiscal year until the 2004-05 fiscal year...
- Health care in CanadaHealth care in CanadaHealth care in Canada is delivered through a publicly-funded health care system, which is mostly free at the point of use and has most services provided by private entities. It is guided by the provisions of the Canada Health Act. The government assures the quality of care through federal standards...
- Royal Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada
- The Canadian Crown and Aboriginal peoples
- Indian ActIndian ActThe Indian Act , R.S., 1951, c. I-5, is a Canadian statute that concerns registered Indians, their bands, and the system of Indian reserves...