Indigenous Health Committee

We are 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, we've 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 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 organization and the needs of those populations.

When providing advice 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 Ontario Health West 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
 Ontario Health West Finance and Allocation Business Partner 
Rebecca McKee Ontario Health West Health System Planner

Lynn Hinds

Ontario Health West

Vice President, Strategy, System Design and Integration
Amanda McKee Ontario Health West 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