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 First Nation communities 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 Indigenous Health Committee will gather relevant health system information, health status information and data, where available and/or appropriate.

This 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 First Nation communities and/or Indigenous Health Service Providers (HSPs).

Committee members

Name	Organization	Title
Howard Elijah		Elder and Traditional Advisor
Raymond Deleary	Atlohsa Native Family Healing Services Inc.	Executive Director
Angela Newman	Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation	Health Manager
Carolynn Wright	Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation	Health Liaison
Vacant	Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation	Elected Councillor
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	Community Health Nurse
Vacant	Great Lakes Métis Council
Vacant	M'Wikwedong Native Cultural Centre
Heather Ireland	Munsee-Delaware Nation	Community Health Representative
Vacant	Munsee-Delaware Nation	Council Member
Vacant	Munsee-Delaware Nation	Council Member - Health
Laurel Day	N’Amerind Friendship Centre	Life Long Care Worker
Manish Chaudhary	Nimkee Nupigawagan Healing Centre	Executive Director
Maureen Kelly	Oneida Long Term Care Home	Administrator/Director of Care
Barb Antone	Oneida Long Term Care Home	Activities Manager
Ida Cornelius	Oneida Nation of the Thames	Health Administrator
Bill Hill	Parkwood Institute; SJHCL	Indigenous Practice Lead
Priscilla Southwind	Saugeen First Nation/Mino Bimaadsawin Health Centre	Health Director
Cheree Urscheler	Saugeen First Nation	Band Administrator
Cathy Banks	Saugeen First Nation	Nurse Manager
Joe Antone	Middlesex-London Health Unit	Manager of Health Equity and Indigenous Reconciliation
Akan (Michael) Udoh	South West LHIN	Finance and Allocation Business Partner
Rebecca McKee	South West LHIN	Health System Planner
Lynn Hinds	South West LHIN	Vice President, Strategy, System Design and Integration
Amanda McKee	South West LHIN	Administrative Assistant
Mark Walton	ESC, South West, WW and HNHB LHINs	Transitional Regional Lead - Western Ontario
Brian Dokis	Southwestern Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC)	Executive Director
Dave Remy	Southwestern Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC)	Regional Director - London & Middlesex
Chantel Antone	South West Regional Cancer Program (LHSC)	Indigenous Program Specialist/Navigator

Indigenous Health Committee's Terms of Reference