Health
Health Director-Cathyrn Mandoka
The Health Director serves in a liaison capacity between the Member Nation’s community health systems and the Federal/Provincial Governments and Chiefs of Ontario on all matters affecting the health of the AIAI membership. The overall goal of this position is to assist in raising the level of health for the AIAI constituency and to facilitate First Nation control over health priorities. The Health Director notifies and provides briefings to the Health/Social Advisory Board on matters that require input, direction and follow up. The Health Director is responsible for analyzing health related Government policies and documents in order to provide appropriate recommendations. The Health Director oversees the efficient and effective administration of the Health Department through planning, development and implementation of the various programs. The Health Director is accountable to the Chiefs Council and reports to the AIAI Office Manager.
Health Policy Analyst (HPA) - Julia Hill
The HPA is responsible for reviewing and analyzing federal and provincial government initiatives, legislation and polices, and in identifying pertinent information relating to the health and well-being of AIAI's eight (8) member Nations. The overall goal of this position is to improve the current health status of our First Nations population through policy assessment, development, and recommendations. As a liaison for our member communities, the HPA maintains positive relations and communication with governmental organizations as they work together to address First Nations health concerns and/or issues. The HPA is responsible for developing briefing notes; position papers; and ministerial correspondence on current health issues affecting First Nations. The Policy Analyst continues to monitor issues regarding medical coverage through the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program, Cancer, NNADAP (National Native Alcohol Drug Addiction Program), and Water.
Health Promotions Coordinator (HPC) - Carolyn Doxtator
The HPC acts as a liaison with the member Nations and the Provincial Government related to the administration of funding and reporting requirements for the Aboriginal Diabetes Education Program and the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder/Child Nutrition program. Participation in health fairs, conferences, workshops to set up health promotion displays and dissemination of all health related information to the member Nations in a timely manner is also a responsibility of the Health Promotions Coordinator. The HPC Works with the Federal Government while participating as AIAI’s representative on various Chiefs of Ontario Office committees such as the Ontario First Nations Integrated Health Promotion Strategy, First Nations Public Health Advisory Committee, and Injury Prevention Advisory Working Group. The Promotions Coordinator participates in the Southern Ontario Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative as the PTO representative on the Board of Directors. Linkages are established with other health agencies by participating in training, meetings, conferences, etc. when required, i.e. Canadian Red Cross, Cancer Care Ontario, AFN, SOAHAC, etc.
HIV-AIDS Educator - Elly Antone
The HIV-AIDS Educator is responsible for raising the level of HIV-AIDS awareness within the Member Nation population and work closely with the member Nations' Health Staff and the organization's Health Department Staff. The HIV-AIDS Educator assesses and reviews existing education information, teaching aides, and material to ensure it is age and culturally appropriate, and disseminates to Member Nation communities. Another function of the Educator position is to coordinate and facilitate community workshops and conferences both within the organization as well as within the Member Nations. The HIV-AIDS Educator participates as the Association’s representative to the Ontario First Nations HIV-AIDS Education Circle program under the umbrella of the Chiefs in Ontario Health Coordination Unit. Maintaining an up-to-date directory of all First Nations, Provincial or Federal governments/associates/agencies/organizations specific to HIV-AIDS is also a responsibility of the HIV-AIDS Educator.
Responsible Gambling (RG) Coordinator - Lisa Jackson
The RG Coordinator’s role is to provide problem gambling awareness and prevention information to our Member Nations. The strategic direction for AIAI’s Responsible Gambling Program includes the goals and objectives of the Ontario Strategy on Problem gambling:
- Increase awareness of the risks associated with gambling
- Increase public awareness of services available for the treatment of problem gambling and how to access them.
- Prevention programs provide effective, evidence based services that are culturally, linguistically, age and gender appropriate.
- Decrease negative attitudes towards problem gamblers.
Activities include raising awareness of problem gambling issues, staff training, community education events, culturally appropriate resource development and dissemination of materials, media campaigns including newsletters, advertisements, PSA’s and website updates.
AIAI Data Collection - Amanda Doxtator
The Association realizes the importance of having current, real, and useful data. In order to assist our member Nations with managing their data and fulfill mandates identified by the Health/Social Advisory Board, AIAI has implemented a secure database for our membership. The information collected is aggregated and will be used to assist the political leadership and technical personnel for statistical reporting, lobby efforts and to guide the direction for existing and future programs and services for the First Nation communities.
Health Administrative Assistant - Brandy Cornelius
The Health Administrative Assistant is responsible for a wide variety of administrative duties, including the coordination of meetings/events, preparation and analysis of budgets, arranging travel and itineraries, developing and reviewing correspondence as directed, minute-taking, and providing overall administrative support to all personnel within the Health Department.
