Improving healthcare through partnership

Through initiatives such as establishing an Aboriginal Advisory Committee, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) is demonstrating its willingness to address Aboriginal health issues, said Jason Beardy.
Beardy is one of the members of the Aboriginal Advisory Committee (ACC) which advises on how best to meet the healthcare and cultural needs of Aboriginal patients and their families.
As director of health policy and planning and special reports for Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), he brings with him the perspective of 49 communities in northern Ontario between the Manitoba and Quebec borders. His department communicates with and lobbies the federal and provincial governments to bring about improvements in health. NAN communities share many common concerns, including diabetes and, since 2009, a prescription drug abuse epidemic.
Beardy started serving his community from an early age. At 21, he took on the responsibilities of band councillor in Muskrat Dam. One of the youngest to ever hold the position, Beardy served for seven years before becoming the community’s deputy chief and serving another eight years.
“First Nations have gone through a lot in recent history, like residential schools and the ‘60s scoop. Traumas such as these have had a role in addictions and other social challenges.
There are no easy solutions, but it’s good to see that TBRHSC is taking the initiative and developing that partnership, not only with the Aboriginal advisory committee, but with the larger Aboriginal community in Thunder Bay,” Beardy said.