Summary of NACHA meeting

October 26 and 27, 2004
Halifax, Nova Scotia

The meeting was opened with a prayer offered by Kevin Barlow.

Grafton Spooner gave a presentation on the federal role in the delivery of the Canadian Strategy on HIV/AIDS (CSHA) and how NACHA fits in. A brief overview of the new Public Health Agency of Canada was given. He also stressed that accountability is vital to the work of the HIV/AIDS Division’s work, and as an advisory body will be held accountable for how the funding is spent on addressing HIV/AIDS.

There was a review of the actions taken based on the evaluation of NACHA, conducted in Spring 2004, that was intended to enhance future operations, ensure informed decision-making and support an accountability function both to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal stakeholders and government. To date,

the following recommendations have already been adopted:

• Consider reducing the number of NACHA members to 12 rather than 24. (April 2004: decision to reduce to 16)
• A dedicated staff person should be appointed to work in the Secretariat exclusively for NACHA. (January 2004)
• Consider contracting an independent facilitator for NACHA meetings so that processes, once agreed to, are followed and to allow for the active participation of co-chairs. (October 2004)
• Rework NACHA’s mandate to reflect its primary role as an advisor to Government on HIV/AIDS issues related to the Aboriginal people of Canada. (NACHA currently revisiting TORS)

There was considerable discussion of how best to move NACHA ahead strategically and began the early stages of identifying a need for a NACHA Strategic Plan. There was also a lengthy discussion on NACHA’s Terms of Reference. NACHA members revisited the Terms of Reference on the second day of the meeting, and made some final changes to the existing document. A Strategic Plan Sub-committee was struck comprising of Aideen Reynolds, Trevor Stratton, Richard Kotowich and Renee Masching, and Secretariat in order to lay the foundation to guide NACHA’s work over the forthcoming years.

Individual caucus meetings took place in the morning on Day 1 and Day 2. Formal minutes were not taken in those sessions but the following issues were identified and later presented to the full Council: 

Community Caucus

Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)

• Community Caucus asks NACHA to advocate for NIHB for Métis, as currently Métis people cannot access non-insured drugs.
• They also would like to see additions to the current formulary for First Nations and Inuit (especially Atazanavir, Fuzion and medical marijuana).
• There is a need to have universality, equitable access for drug treatments, coverage.

Microbicides

• This Caucus would also like to see more support for work in the area of Microbicides.
• They suggest NACHA invite Richard Elliot from the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network to present on the issue of Microbicides.

Métis Caucus

The Métis Caucus expressed that more research is required on defining specific issues for Métis people with HIV/AIDS. They would like NACHA to consider writing a paper describing Métis and how HIV/AIDS affects this community.

There is sense that women do not have a voice on the National level.

Holding an APHA gathering is an issue that could be further developed.

Inuit Community

Regarding HIV/AIDS projects & programs, there is a lack of infrastructure to effectively implement HIVAIDS projects and programs. There are problems in delivering programs/services for HIV/AIDS community in Northern communities. There is a reliance on CIHAN to do the HIV programming at the community level. HIV seems to have somewhat fallen off the radar, or is still seen as a southern disease.

First Nations Caucus

Regarding funding for Aboriginal Service Organizations, there must be equity across regions. Established organizations should be funded, but not at the expense of emerging issues.

Access to treatment is very important.

IV drug use, harm reduction measures, and the links to homelessness, public health seen as area where more work is needed.

Next Meeting: March 7- 8, 2005 in Ottawa