National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: A time to remember the past and build the future
(Vitalité Health Network) Wednesday, September 28, 2022 – Vitalité Health Network would like to highlight the importance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which will be observed across the country on Friday, September 30, 2022. This is a special time that aims to promote the efforts of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
This is a day to honour Survivors, families and Indigenous communities and ensure that the commemoration of the history and the impacts of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.
According to Dr. France Desrosiers, President and CEO, the Network is committed to renewing its relationships with First Nations leaders by providing Indigenous peoples with equitable health care that meets their specific needs in an open and transparent way. “These close partnerships with Indigenous communities will make important changes possible,” she said.
For the last few years, the Network has been able to count on the services of a First Nations Regional Access Coordinator, who is herself Indigenous. Several initiatives have been or are in the process of being implemented in relation to First Nations:
- Indigenous patients who file complaints can be accompanied by an Indigenous person throughout the investigation process.
- Work is underway to implement a smudging room and smudging policy in all the Network’s regional hospitals.
- The Network participates on an ongoing basis in Indigenous health leadership in all sectors of the province’s First Nations communities.
- Memorandums of Understanding have been signed by the Network and New Brunswick’s Indigenous leaders to address access to mental health care, commitment and collaboration.
- Training on cultural sensitivity has been developed and is provided to Network staff by a Traditional Knowledge Keeper.
New Brunswick Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Centre of Excellence: A national leader
The New Brunswick Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Centre of Excellence is a national leader thanks to its unique model of holistic care called Dream Catcher. Developed in partnership with Indigenous Elders, this model is culturally appropriate, safe and promotes the well-being of First Nations individuals living with FASD, families and communities while respecting their culture and values. This model also reflects the mandate and recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action. The Dream Catcher model was approved and supported by all of the province’s 15 First Nations.
