Executive Summary
The environment plays an important role in the health of First Nations. The air we breathe, to the water we drink, to the food we eat, are all affected by the elements.
Background and Current Initiatives
The First Nations Health Council sits on the First Nations National Environmental Contaminants Program Steering Committee. Should a First Nations community submit a proposal accepted by the FNNECP, they can assess the extent of environmental contaminant exposure and the risk to the health and well being of its community members.
The shortfall of the Environmental Contaminants Program is that it provides no follow-up to communities on how to mitigate the risks of potential contaminant exposure. The First Nations Health Council will be working with First Nations and Inuit Health’s Environmental Health program A collaborative program between the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and Health Canada, the objective of the National First Nations Environmental Contaminants Program (NFNECP) is to assess the extent of environmental contaminant exposure and the potential for associated risk to the health and well being of First Nations in Canada. The NFNECP supports innovative ways of researching potential environmental and health impacts from contaminants in First Nation communities
Goals and Objectives
To ensure environmental sustainability for all First Nations.
Environmental Health is not explicitly mentioned as an action item, we recognize that the environment plays a crucial role in the successful outcome of many action items.
Committees serving the Environomental Health Initiative:
National First Nations Environmental Contaminants Program
Provincial Healthy Built Environment Alliance