Indigenous Health Committee

The South West LHIN is focused on long-term relationship building with local Indigenous communities. We are committed to working together, where appropriate and possible, to increase First Nation, Inuit and Métis population health outcomes. In all areas of operation, the South West LHIN has sought the advice and guidance of Indigenous communities and health service providers.

The South West Indigenous Health Committee meets bi-monthly and serves as an advisory Committee to the South West LHIN on the following topics:

Health needs and priorities within Indigenous Communities (First Nation, Métis, Urban and Rural).
Opportunities for the integration and coordination of health care services where applicable.
Opportunities for alignment with existing Indigenous/First Nation/ Métis regional, provincial and federal health planning structures to improve health outcomes.
Opportunities for alignment with existing mainstream health programs and services determined by Aboriginal community and/or Indigenous Health Service Providers (HSPs).
Targeted engagements with specific Indigenous populations as it pertains to the work of the South West LHIN and the needs of those populations.

When providing advice to the South West LHIN for planning and health priorities, the Indigenous Health Committee will consider also the resolution of long standing systemic gaps and barriers to quality health care (for example, jurisdictional wrangling, poverty, systemic racism, poorer socio-economic status, gender, levels of isolation, intergenerational trauma and the legacy of residential schools). The Advisory Committee will gather relevant health system information, health status information and data, where available and/or appropriate.

The Advisory Committee works in partnership with Indigenous health service providers, First Nation, urban Indigenous and Métis leadership, Indigenous communities, mainstream health service providers and the South West LHIN to:

Increase cross-cultural understanding.
Increase culturally safe care.
Improve equitable access to care.
Improve the patient experience.
Improve quality of care.
Improve the interface between western and traditional methods and approaches to treatment and care.
Improve quality and availability of reliable health information and data for the purposes of health planning as determined by Aboriginal communities.

Committee members

Name	Organization	Title
Howard Elijah		Elder and Traditional Advisor
Cheryl Johnson	Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation	Health Council Liaison
Vacant	Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation	Health Administrator
Kimberly Fisher	Chippewas of the Thames First Nation Health Centre	Health Administrator
Heather Nicholas	Chippewas of the Thames First Nation Health Centre	Health Nurse/Program Manager
Renee Abram	M’Wikwedong Native Cultural Centre	Executive Director
Laurel Day	N’Amerind Friendship Centre	Life Long Care Worker
Ida Cornelius	Oneida Nation of the Thames	Health Administrator
Gordon Kewageshig	Mino Bimaadsawin Health Centre - Saugeen	Health Centre Director (acting)
Steven Vanloffeld	Saugeen First Nation	Councilor
Melissa Gregory	Saugeen First Nation	Nurse
Kristy McQueen	South West LHIN	Interim Senior Director, System Design and Integration / Director, System Design, Integration and Digital Health
Kelly Gillis	South West LHIN	Interim Co-Chief Executive Officer / Vice President, Strategy, System Design and Integration
Vanessa Ambtman-Smith	South West LHIN	Indigenous Health Lead
Biju Thomas	South West LHIN	Financial Analyst
Denise Hewitt	South West LHIN	Communications & Web Coordinator
Brian Dokis	Southwestern Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC)	Executive Director
Marley Fisher	Munsee-Delaware Nation	Council Member
Vacant	Great Lakes Métis Council
Maureen Kelly	Oneida Long Term Care Home	Administrator/Director of Care
Millie Litt	South West Regional Cancer Program	Manager, Regional Cancer Services
Chantel Antone	South West Regional Cancer Program	Aboriginal Patient Navigator
Doug George	Wulaasuwiikann Healing Lodge	Executive Director
Raymond Deleary	Altohsa Native Family Healing Services Inc	Director of Operations

Indigenous Health Committee's Terms of Reference

Indigenous Health System Planning page