PROVINCE AND TRIBAL COUNCIL SIGN HEALTH ACCORD

Released on May 3, 1995

The province of Saskatchewan and the Touchwood File Hills Qu'Appelle
Tribal Council today signed a bilateral accord regarding the Tribal
Council's relationship with the provincial health system.

The accord was signed in Regina by Health Minister Lorne Calvert and
Tribal Council president Perry Bellegarde. The agreement creates a
working relationship between the province and the 16 First Nations of
the Tribal Council to improve health and wellness.

"The accord will lead to joint problem solving and program development
while respecting the rights of the First Nations communities," Calvert
said. "We can work together without affecting their goals with respect
to health and self-government, or their special relationship with the
federal government."

"Our forefathers signed treaties with the Crown more than a century
ago," Bellegarde said. "These sacred agreements form the cornerstone
of our health system. At the same time, the province is now
responsible for delivering many programs of importance to our people
and it's essential that we establish an effective
government-to-government link."

The accord outlines the positions of the provincial government and the
Tribal Council on several issues and establishes a Health Partnership
Task Force to address them.

The accord also establishes a joint capital planning committee on the
Fort Qu'Appelle Indian Hospital. The hospital, now a federal
institution, is being transferred to the jurisdiction of the Tribal
Council.

"Once the transfer is complete, we will be able to take our place in
the Saskatchewan health system, not just as consumers of health
services but as providers as well," Bellegarde said. "This marks an
important stage in self-determination for First Nations."

"We look forward to working with the Tribal Council, the district
health board, and the federal government in planning a modern, First
Nations-owned health facility in Fort Qu'Appelle to replace the
existing aging hospital," Calvert added.

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For more information, contact:

Mark Seland Clare McNab
Saskatchewan Health Tribal Council
Regina Fort Qu'Appelle
Phone: 787-3825 Phone: 332-8216