Indigenous Health Network (IHN) - Niagara Chapter

The HNHB LHIN Indigenous Health Network (IHN) is made up of Indigenous health and social service providers across Hamilton, Niagara, Haldimand, Brant, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and Six Nations of the Grand River. Together with the LHIN, the Indigenous Health Network seeks to address the health needs and issues of local Indigenous communities.

Through the formation of the IHN, many health service providers and Indigenous organizations have developed stronger partnerships with each other and the LHIN. Collectively, the IHN strengthens the voice of Indigenous communities and provides essential advice and direction on local health care priorities, planning and service delivery.

The IHN’s connection and engagement with local Indigenous community members across the LHIN brings forward diverse perspectives and experiences of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples living both on and off-reserve, and in urban/rural settings.

Purpose

The purpose of the IHN is to create a forum that will harmonize the efforts of First Nations, Métis and urban Indigenous health and social service providers toward creating a health system that:

Meets the wholistic health needs of Indigenous Peoples across the region from an Indigenous perspective.
Integrates traditional Indigenous knowledge and healing systems for healthy people and healthy communities.
Commits to input from Indigenous communities regarding present and future programs and services.
Improves the capacity of a broad range of stakeholders to contribute to improved health outcomes of Indigenous Peoples.
Through designated staff leads, liaises with the HNHB LHIN Board to ensure decisions are positively impacting Indigenous Peoples’ health status and access to services.

In April 2015, the IHN developed its 2015-2018 Strategic Plan based on the health needs of local communities and the health-specific recommendations identified in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s (TRC) Final Report and Calls to Action. The five key priorities identified were: