The Métis Nation-Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Health Authority have re-affirmed their commitment to work together.
On Friday afternoon, the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding affirming a commitment to better collaborate on Métis representation in all areas of health care and to achieve better health outcomes for Métis patients.
The agreement is a continuation of an MOU signed in 2018.
“Through this renewed MOU, we are reaffirming our intentions to strive towards better health outcomes for Métis patients through ongoing partnership and engagement,” said SHA CEO Andrew Will.
MN-S Health Minister Marg Friesen says the agreement will be a continued process with many things to be addressed.
“We hope to continue those conversations and build a brighter and better future for our citizens so they have a quality of life that they deserve,” said Friesen.
One area Friesen hopes to improve is medical transportation for Métis citizens in rural and remote areas. While she says the MN-S has been providing this type of service since the pandemic she says more funding from the province is needed to improve the process.
“There has to be a budget allocation for medical transport, that’s a bottom line,” she said.
The MOU was signed at the first ever MN-S Métis health conference running this weekend at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon.
“It is another opportunity to engage people on the front-lines, engage with partners, and also engage with inter-generational citizens of the province to ensure that voices continue to be heard,” said Friesen while speaking on the conference.
The two-day event will feature discussions on topics like Métis palliative care to continuing care for all citizens.
Around 500 people have gathered for the two day conference.
(SHA CEO Andrew Will and MN-S COO Matt Vermette sign a Memorandum of Understanding at a Métis health conference in Saskatoon. Photo by Joel Willick.)