Government of Canada signs Health MOU with Onion Lake Cree Nation in Treaty 6

ONION LAKE CREE NATION, TREATY 6 TERRITORY, May 17, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to working together with First Nations to develop ?a new type of funding arrangement for the improved delivery of health services that is respectful of Treaty rights and relationships.?

The Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, and Okimaw (Chief) Wallace Fox of Wicekaskosiw Sakahikan Nehiyaw Askiy (Onion Lake Cree Nation), today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together to develop a new type of funding arrangement that will enhance the Cree Nation's control of health services based on a respectful Treaty relationship.

Wicekaskosiw Sakahikan Nehiyaw Askiy (Onion Lake Cree Nation) entered into Treaty No. 6 at Fort Pitt (in present day Saskatchewan) on September 9, 1876. Treaty No. 6 included commitments by the Crown that a medicine chest would be kept at the house of the Indian Agent for use by the Indians, and that rations would be provided to the Indians in times of "famine and pestilence".

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) acknowledges these commitments, with Canada and Onion Lake Cree Nation agreeing to:

"...develop and establish a mutually agreeable signed Treaty Relationship Based Health Funding Arrangement that acknowledges that the treaty relationship is important and significant to the Crown in Right of Canada and the Treaty Peoples of Wicekaskosiw Sakahikan Nehiyaw Askiy (Onion Lake Cree Nation)."

The MOU also states that:

"Wicekaskosiw Sakahikan Nehiyaw Askiy (Onion Lake Cree Nation) asserts their right to additionally discuss with Canada the development and implementation as milestones are reached, a Treaty Based Health Funding Arrangement between the Crown in Right of Canada and the Treaty Peoples of Wicekaskosiw Sakahikan Nehiyaw Askiy (Onion Lake Cree Nation)."

Quotes

"I am honoured to sign this Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the Government of Canada which commits Canada and the Onion Lake Cree Nation to the development of a Treaty Relationship-Based Funding Agreement in health. This MOU is founded on our rights-based relationship through Treaty 6, and will support Onion Lake as they provide high quality services that will best meet the health needs of their members."

The Honourable Jane Philpott, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous Services

"When our ancestors put the medicine chest clause in the Treaty, they were thinking of the future generations, we are thinking of the future generations when we entered into this MOU. Wicekaskosiw Sakahikan Nehiyaw Askiy (Onion Lake Cree Nation) is always planning for the future generations to have good health and a good life."

Okimaw (Chief) Wallace Fox
Wicekaskosiw Sakahikan Nehiyaw Askiy (Onion Lake Cree Nation) Treaty 6

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SOURCE Indigenous Services Canada