MWAC & Alianait
The First Nations and Inuit Mental Wellness Advisory Committee (MWAC) is comprised of representatives from the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, federal/provincial/territorial networks, non-governmental and Aboriginal expert mental health and addictions organizations as well as other key national partners, and stakeholders. It was established in 2005 to provide strategic advice to the Community Programs Directorate of the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) of Health Canada on issues related to mental wellness, which includes mental health, mental illness, suicide prevention, and substance abuse/addictions.
MWAC was mandated to develop a strategic action plan to improve mental wellness outcomes of First Nations and Inuit. As part of the MWAC process, an Inuit-specific Mental Wellness Task Group (called Alianait, or 'expressions of joy') was created to examine mental wellness issues related to the unique circumstances and culture of Inuit. Alianait has drafted an Inuit-specific national strategy that takes a holistic, social determinants of health approach, based on Inuit mental wellness priorities and Inuit culture and circumstances, which is referenced in Part 2 of the overall MWAC Strategic Action Plan.
On November 22-24, 2005, MWAC invited over 40 community experts to provide input into the First Nations and Inuit Mental Wellness Strategic Action Plan. As a result, a vision, values, goals, objectives and activities were identified. Follow-up meetings with MWAC were held in February 2006 and in June 2006 to review and revise the Strategic Action Plan.
MWAC has identified five priority goals within the First Nations and Inuit Mental Wellness Strategic Action Plan:
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To support the development of a coordinated continuum of mental wellness services for and by First Nations and Inuit that includes traditional, cultural and mainstream approaches.
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To disseminate and share knowledge about promising traditional, cultural and mainstream approaches to mental wellness.
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To support and recognize the community as its own best resource by acknowledging diverse ways of knowing and by developing community capacity to improve mental wellness.
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To enhance the knowledge, skills, recruitment and retention of a mental wellness and allied services workforce able to provide effective and culturally safe services and supports for First Nations and Inuit.
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To clarify and strengthen collaborative relationships between mental health, addictions and related human services and between federal, provincial, territorial and First Nations and Inuit delivered programs and services.
The full MWAC Strategic Action Plan(draft) and summary poster, and Alianait Action Plan provide context to the issue of mental wellness for First Nations and Inuit and outlines the objectives and activities to achieve these five priority goals.
MWAC Meeting Minutes
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