An office which will investigate, document and report health system complaints is now open for First Nations people. Chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, Bobby Cameron, explains that the office will provide a safe and culturally appropriate space for members to voice their concerns, complaints and grievances regarding the health services they receive and promote the Treaty right to health. The First Nations Health Ombudsperson will also monitor, investigate, and advocate for improving the quality and accessibility of health care for FSIN communities.

Dianne Lafond, the new First Nations Health Ombudsperson, told the Grand Opening crowd on Tuesday that the time is now, and it is First Nations people who are going to change the future for their children. She said, “To pave the way for them to get better health services within the hospitals, within the walking clinics, within the pharmacies, within the long-term care homes. There are so many parts. If you don’t have a healthy foundation, how are we going to flourish as people?” Lafond stated that Chiefs in the Assembly passed a resolution in 2017 to make this happen because of health gaps and uneven access to health services, and experiences recounted by First Nations service users.

Dr. Veronica McKinney, Chair of the FNHOO, suggests First Nations need transformational change to deal with the systems that aren’t working for them. “For the First Nations Health Ombudsperson Office, we want to have investigation. We want a safe place to have people able to lift their voices and to have those voices heard. We want to lead the change and to tell this truth we know is going on. Many of us know the truth but we need to elevate it to make those changes in the system.” The office is in the FSIN building on Kahkewistahaw Crescent.