Assembly of Treaty Chiefs on Health

Provisional Agenda (click here)

The true Spirit and Intent of Treaty No. 6 Medicine Chest Clause is to ensure that the Indigenous peoples, who collectively comprise the First Nations of these lands, have the right to all health provisions required to ensure their physical and mental well-being are maintained throughout each life-span. This Right is supported by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Article 24 “(1) Indigenous peoples have the right to their traditional medicines and to maintain their health practices, including the conservation of their vital medicinal plants, animals and minerals. Indigenous individuals also have the right to access, without any discrimination, to all social and health services. (2) Indigenous individuals have an equal right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. States shall take the necessary steps with a view to achieving progressively the full realization of this right. Article 29(3) States shall also take effective measures to ensure, as needed, that programmes for monitoring, maintaining and restoring the health of indigenous peoples, as developed and implemented by the peoples affected by such materials, are duly implemented.” The Organization of American States Declaration and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action Articles under Health 18-24.

Objectives:

• To promote the Treaty Right to Health for the First Nation Peoples
• To have a full dialogue regarding Health Co-Management
• To bring together the leadership to have a productive dialogue on steps for moving forward in promoting good health and well-being for the First Nation citizens
• To bring in representatives of the government and national organization to have a productive exchange of information and to respond to questions of the Chiefs