- Health officials and Indigenous leaders in northern Manitoba have signed a declaration to address racism in the health-care system. The document commits the regional health system to reduce barriers for Indigenous people seeking care and reduce the gaps in care between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Bernice Thorassie, who helps northern Indigenous patients navigate the health-care system, says she has seen people struggle to get treatment and face barriers after travelling from their home communities to Thompson, Man., or Winnipeg. Cal Huntley, board chair of the northern regional health authority, says the declaration is a step to correcting long-standing wrongs. “We are going to be looking at … developing databases that describe Indigenous patients versus non-Indigenous patients,” said Dr. Barry Lavallee, chief executive officer of Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin, a First Nations health agency.

Source: thestar September 27, 2022 00:29 UTC