Aboriginal Health Human Resources Initiative (AHHRI) 2005 - 2010

To improve health outcomes of Aboriginal populations and narrow the health status gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in Canada, the federal government committed $100M over five years.

Funding will flow through the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch national and regional contribution agreements or contracts to a variety of organizations, institutions, associations, agencies, universities and/or colleges as outlined in the FNIHB Health Governance/Infrastructure Support Authority .

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The AHHRI is intended to complement and integrate, where possible, with work that is already underway in the provinces and territories with the Pan-Canadian Health Human Resources Strategy (2003). The basic premise being that the health care system requires change and supplement to adequately meet the needs of Canadians. Statistics supporting the implementation of AHHRI include:

Of the 258,000 registered nurses in Canada (2003), only 1,200 were Aboriginal. This number falls short of the required 3%, or about 7,700 that would ensure equitable representation by Aboriginal people in that field.
Likewise, there are about 150 Aboriginal physicians in Canada when 700 are needed to ensure equitable representation.

 Similar shortages exist in ALL areas of the health care work force.

Longer-term institutional change requires that both supply and demand issues be addressed. The AHHRI initiative targets the following areas:

Priority 1.  Increase in Health Care Providers
The goal is to create heightened awareness of health careers, increase the number of students in health careers and establish the necessary supports.

Priority 2.  Improve Retention
The intent is to lay the foundation for the development of retention strategies.

Priority 3:  Provide Supportive Elements
Investments will be made to increase Aboriginal capacity to meaningfully participate in the implementation of AHHRI at both the national and regional levels.

AHHRI Governance
Two advisory committees govern the AHHRI, one specific to First Nations and Inuit, the other specific to Métis, non-status and off reserve Aboriginal populations. .  Each Committee will be co-chaired by Health Canada and an Aboriginal organization and will exist for the duration of the Initiative.  They will comprise approximately 10-15 members representing National Aboriginal Organizations and federal and provincial governments.

Roles
The roles of the National Aboriginal Organizations (NAO) are to advance the specific priorities of their constituents within the context of health human resources, and to become engaged in all aspect of HHR planning and implementation.

Activities
Increasing bursary and scholarship funds for Aboriginals health career students; data collection and research; development of core competencies and standards for allied health care workers; work with national associations to facilitate post secondary, health education curricula changes to enhance cultural competency; program evaluation, and research.

Note that FNIHB Regions will not be responsible for activities related to the Métis and Non-Status components of the AHHRI.

Aboriginal Scholarship & Bursary Guide (incomplete)

Aboriginal Achievement Foundation
http://www.naaf.ca/html/education_program_e.html

Manitoba Métis
http://www.mmf.mb.ca/MHHRI/index.shtml

Ontario Métis
http://www.metisnation.org/programs/health/HCSP.html

Alberta Métis
http://www.albertametis.com/awards.aspx