Nearly 160 people attended the various conferences and discussions during the two days of the forum.
This meeting is organized by the Native Friendship Centers of Trois-Rivières and La Tuque, by the Council of the Atikamekw of Wemotaci, by the group of Native Friendship Centers of Quebec as well as by the Integrated University Health and Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec social services (CIUSSS MCQ).
CIUSSS because the others also inside their establishment, they also have people who accompany the natives in the navigation of health care in the establishment”,”text”:”We have set up a service navigator , so he will be able to support the members who need it. And we really work in collaboration with the CIUSSS because they too, inside their establishment, they also have people who accompany the natives in the navigation of health care in the establishment””>We have set up a service navigator, so it will be able to support members who need it. And we really work in collaboration with the CIUSSS because they too, within their establishment, they have people who accompany the Aboriginal people in the navigation of health care in the establishment
explains Maud Flamand, Executive Director of the Native Friendship Center of Trois-Rivières.
For many First Nations members, it is still difficult to make the decision to seek care in hospitals. Of course, you can’t change that in a snap of the fingers, but I think it can change things. I am currently suspicious of the health care system, but I remain hopeful
says Liannie Petiquay-Chilton.
Necessary support
The reality of the First Nations and Inuit of Quebec has changed a lot in recent years. According to figures given by Carole Lévesque, full professor at the National Institute for Scientific Research, during her conference, between 2001 and 2021, the percentage of Aboriginal people living in cities has almost doubled, from 36.9% to 68 .2%. As a result, community members who find themselves in cities face barriers when it comes to seeking health care.
The CIUSSS MCQ has been offering a cultural security support service for several years. Users can call on support services during pregnancy follow-ups, routine examinations and palliative care, in particular.
If we want to make sure that we have cultural security and relevant and reassuring care in the organization, we have to make sure that we have several members, a team of aboriginal people who will meet our users
argues Karine Lampron, director of ambulatory services and critical care as well as responsible for the Aboriginal file at the CIUSSS MCQ.
Several possible solutions have been put forward.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Etienne Rivard
The organization hopes that a meeting like this can return from one year to the next.
It is sure that there will be other forums like this one. We have raised issues, but there are still many. We are all aware that there is still work to be done to provide adequate services.
concludes Maud Flamand, Executive Director of the Native Friendship Center of Trois-Rivières.
