Metis Holding Out Hope for Equal Health Benefits

Metis Holding Out Hope for Equal Health Benefits

Tuesday, September 14, 2004 at 15:34

The mayor of a northern Metis community hopes it won’t be too long before Metis people enjoy the same kind of health benefits provided to First Nations people.

Ile-a-la-Crosse mayor Max Morin is encouraged that the prime minister promised yesterday to make Metis people equal partners in his proposed blueprint for Aboriginal health.

Morin says the challenge in the short term is to ensure the 700-million dollars in additional Aboriginal health money announced yesterday actually makes it way to grassroots people.

Over the long term, Morin admits it will still likely take a strong lobby from Metis leaders to get the same health coverage given to First Nations people.

Morin says there’s something wrong with a system that forces impoverished Metis elders to hitchhike to see a specialist. He also says they shouldn’t be forced to pay for their own glasses and dentures.