North Shore Health Network Press Release

For Immediate Release November 30, 2023
Maamwesying Ontario Health Team and North Shore Health Network Sign CollaborationAgreement
Mississauga First Nation, Ontario -In a momentous event held at the Mississauga Community Hall on November 28th, 2023, Maamwesying North Shore Community Health Services Inc., as a core partner of the Maamwesying Ontario Health Team (MOHT) and North Shore Health Network (NSHN) officially signed a collaboration agreement, sealing their commitment to delivering culturally sensitive, patient-centered, and equitable healthcare for Indigenous peoples in the North East Area.

This strategic partnership signifies a major stride towards achieving the Ontario Health Teams’ overarching objective of providing collaborative and integrated care. By joining forces with North Shore Health Network, the Maamwesying Ontario Health Team is reinforcing accountability and a shared commitment to enhancing the healthcare experience for Indigenous Peoples and their families. The collaboration underscores a transformative approach to healthcare, embracing unique cultural knowledge, traditional practices, and medicines. It champions community-designed, innovative, and culturally safe Indigenous-driven health systems.

The Maamwesying Ontario Health Team was announced in October of 2022 to seamlessly integrate health care services for clients in the communities of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, Sagamok Anishnawbek, Serpent River First Nation, Mississauga First Nation, Thessalon First Nation, Garden River First Nation, Batchewana First Nation, Michipicoten First Nation, Chapleau Cree First Nation, Chapleau Ojibwe First Nation, and Brunswick House First Nation, as well as the urban Indigenous population in Sault Ste. Marie.
Year one initiatives for the Maamwesying Ontario Health Team focus on three priority areas: Improving Transitions in Care, Reducing Non-Traumatic Lower Limb Amputations, and enhancing access to Digital Health tools and services. In Collaboration with the Maamwesying Ontario Health Team Core Partners and the Area Acute Care Hospitals, our teams are working together to address growth opportunities that have been identified. These initiatives include improving the process and experience of Indigenous voluntary self-identification within the hospital, improving awareness and access to Indigenous-focused health services and supports, and supporting cultural safety and awareness training for healthcare providers and leadership.

The collaboration aims to improve access to quality care, enhance patient, caregiver, and provider satisfaction, foster equitable and culturally safe care, and promote the efficient use of healthcare resources. The partnership actively involves Indigenous health leaders and advisors in the planning, design, delivery, and evaluation of health services, ensuring a holistic and community-driven approach.

Carol Eshkakogan, CEO of Maamwesying North Shore Community Health Services Inc./Chair of the Maamwesying Ontario Health Team Leadership Council, stated, “This agreement reaffirms the value of Indigenous peoples and their right to self-determination within the healthcare system. Together, we recognize the collective long-term goal of creating a healthcare system free from racism and discrimination”
Tim Vine, President and CEO of NSHN, remarked, “This collaboration sets a positive precedent for the future of healthcare in Indigenous communities. It focuses on ensuring that care is culturally sensitive, patient-centered, and equitable.”

Media Contacts:
Grace Swain
Communications and Media Specialist Maamwesying Ontario Health Team
[email protected]
Melanie Kubatlija
Vice President of Environmental Services & Chief Risk and Communications Officer North Shore Health Network

Photo Below of Gift Exchange (left) Grace Swain Indigenous artist and Communications and Media Specialist for the Maamwesying Ontario Health Team, (middle) Tim Vine, President and CEO of NSHN, (right) Carol Eshkakogan, CEO of Maamwesying North Shore Community Health Services Inc./Chair of the Maamwesying Ontario Health Team Leadership Council