Saturday, November 21, 2009

NAHO 2009 National Conference will explore First Nations, Inuit and Métis Health Perspectives in Opening Plenary

The National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) is pleased to welcome leading Aboriginal health care professionals for its opening panel at the NAHO 2009 National Conference Our People, Our Health, to be held in Ottawa, Ontario from November 24-26, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza and Marriott Hotels.

The health perspectives panel will take place on Tuesday November 24, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. in the International Ballroom at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Chaired by Dr. Alika Lafontaine, this panel will explore the question, “What will the future hold for the health of First Nations, Inuit and Métis?”

“This will be a very exciting start to what promises to be the most engaging and informative national health conference this year,” says Dr. Paulette C. Tremblay, CEO of NAHO and Health Perspectives panellist. “The individuals on the opening panel all have an interest in health research that respects First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals, families and communities and a common goal of improving the health and well-being of Aboriginal peoples. I look forward to learning from the diversity of perspectives shared.”

The panellists include:

Dr. Alain Beaudet, President, Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Anne Marie Robinson, Assistant Deputy Minister, First Nations Inuit Health Branch, Health Canada.

Dr. Paul Gully, Senior Medical Advisor in the Health Canada Deputy Minister’s Office, with specific responsibilities for First Nations in relation to H1N1.

James Makokis is from the Saddle Lake Cree Nation, Alberta. He is currently studying medicine at the University of Ottawa. He has a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science from the University of Alberta and a Masters of Health Science in Community Nutrition from the University of Toronto. He is now a registered dietician.

Nathan Obed, Director of social and cultural development for Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the representational organization for the beneficiaries of the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement.