As First Nations chiefs in northern Ontario call for health-care action, youth demand more involvement

Young people don't just want to watch as First Nations leaders across Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) call for action to address decades-long issues — they want a seat at the decision-making table.

The three-day winter assembly of chiefs in Thunder Bay, Ont., this week brought together representatives from across the region to discuss critical challenges facing their communities, including housing, education, climate change and policing.

The main item on Thursday's agenda was NAN's health transformation project, and youth attending the assembly made sure to express their views.

"We are here to be heard, not just listened to," said Walker Atlookan, 25, of Eabametoong First Nation, who's co-chair of the Oshkaatisak (all young people's) council.

He said it's important for youth to be included in meetings, but there's a difference between having youth representation and having them be part of the conversation.

Chiefs spent Thursday morning expressing frustration about the ongoing crises community members face, from accessing primary care to mental health support.

"There's kids that [are] dying out there every day and we're sitting here talking about resolutions again. What is that going to do?" asked Chief Alex (Sonny) Batisse of Matachewan First Nation.

A couple of weeks ago, NAN Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler called an emergency meeting with provincial and federal officials in response to a recent string of suicides and unexplained deaths. While no one from the provincial government attended, Ontario announced $2.6 million for NAN this week to support mental health and addictions services.

"It hurts me when I hear about the needless loss of life because I feel that some of these can be prevented," Fiddler said in response to Batisse.

"[We] can have all these meetings and write letters, but the work needs to happen on the ground at the community level — and I think that's our responsibility … to support you in the work that you have to do yourself."

NAN declared a state of public health emergency in February 2016. Late Thursday, chiefs passed a resolution to declare another health state of emergency and to establish a NAN territorial First Nations health services Ombudsman's Office, designed to identify barriers to care and advocate for solutions at all levels of government.

Chiefs had deferred a presentation on NAN's health transformation project for several hours, instead spending that time listening to members of its council of elders, women's council and Oshkaatisak council.

But Oshkaatisak's Mallory Solomon pointed out that members of all three councils were seated at tables on the perimeter of the room rather than in the chiefs' circle.

"We need to be in the circle if you want to hear us," Solomon said.