b'We are finding other ways to deal with it, and one of those is land-based programsusing the land for healing, says deGonzague. Our work is looking at finding ways to support those programs, encouraging funding (from potential funders) for those kinds of policies and programs to happen.The Health Forum is a reflection of the work and knowledge gained in the preceding year. If theres programs we learned about, to help the sharing and figuring out what information people need, and the support and resources they would like to work on, we use that for next year, says Jones.deGonzague says one of the forums most important aspects is that it allows delegates and community members to network.I think one of the most important things about the forum is the net-working with the health directors, with the government, the organizations that come there to listen to what other people (are) doing, she says. (Theyre) asking a lot of questions when they go toFirst Nations HIV/AIDS EducationIn the coming year, Jones says they workshops, learning from each other andCircle on educating, preventing andwill be examining the impacts of Bill being able to go back to the commun- reducing stigma as well as gathering data74, which passed into law this spring ities with tools, with info. on infection rates in communities. Theyby the incoming Progressive Conserva-Going forward, the healthalso hope to collect data on Hepatitis C. tives. Now called the Peoples Health Care department hopes to collaborate About 300 delegates from across theAct, the legislation is set to create a new with forum presenters Ontario province attended this years forum. agency called Ontario Health, which will be formed by dissolving the provinces 14 Local Health Integration Networks and merging their duties with those of six other health agencies, including Cancer Care Ontario and eHealth Ontario.The act says it shall establish an Indigenous Health Council to advise the Minister about health and service delivery issues related to Indigenous peoples. In addition, the agency will engage the prescribed Indigenous health planning entities in a manner that recognizes the role of Indigenous peoples in the planning and delivery of health services in their communities.It is unclear how these new agencies will engage First Nations in the province.Its created a bit of nervousness, says Jones. And that will be a major concern in the next year or two. Chiefs of Ontario holds its Health Forum every February. Copies of PowerPoints from some of this years presentations can be found at chiefs-of-ontario.org/event/chiefs-of-ontario-13th-annual-health-forum/ISSUE 1 2019C hIEfS ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazInE l 47'