Untitled - Phoenix Sinclair Inquiry

The dynamics of health are significantly different between indigenous versus non-indigenous
populations in Canada, as are the cultural and contextual differences from where they arise.
With this, the design and delivery of a home visitation program aimed at First Nations people
must somehow acknowledge these differences. The research surrounding home visitation
programming, however, emanates primarily from programs implemented in mainstream
populations. The challenge, therefore, in designing a Manitoba home visitation program for
First Nations communities lies in trying to balance evidence found in mainstream research
while attempting to maintain First Nation cultural integrity which includes First Nation
governance, active engagement and empowerment.
Although SF-MCH has incorporated core elements from mainstream programs, it responds to
cultural integrity in a variety of ways. It is First Nations driven, supportive of self-governance,
and formulated within a collaborative context. It involves the voices of families, and abides
by the principles of self-determination. It is involved in the continuous exploration into the
underlying principles and theoretical perspectives guiding the program.
The SF-MCH program is not static; rather it is a continuous endeavour whereupon knowledge is
being gathered throughout all stages of the design and implementation process. It is hoped that
as we work through the challenges and increase our knowledge we will be able to contribute
to a body of research that is in desperate need of advancement. With this, SF-MCH believes
that it may be possible in the future that the First Nations home visitation program will no
longer be required to look towards mainstream programming and research to establish their
foundational standards: First Nation standards will have been designed.
With a beginning in borrowing some of the traditions and methods from more established
programs in the mainstream, SF-MCH has certainly come a long distance. In 2007, program
standards and guidelines were developed and rewritten as part of the program’s Quality
Assurance and Peer Support Program in 2010. Although the curriculum implemented still
borrows from the mainstream Growing Great Kids Curriculum community-based and regional
programmers alike are becoming far more proficient at delivering uniquely Manitoba First
Nation activities. Team meetings and workshops are held where curriculum activities are
dissected in terms of their meaningful implementation in the communities. SF-MCH will in
the next 2 years design and deliver a 100% fully community-based curriculum.
SF-MCH EVALUATION TYPES
Discovering the voices of the Nations, conceptualizing the spaces wherein the different
voices are heard, or potentially ignored, is an ongoing and challenging endeavour. Instilling
a collaborative approach that involves powerfully unequal partners with diverse experiences,
interests and vantages requires thoughtful consideration at many angels. What we search for
in our programming is a ‘true’ collaboration, since it would be more problematic in the longterm
to hold an illusion of collaboration and to operate as if agreement at different spaces
exists. Our challenge in creating the approach was to consider that the space for programming
was unfolding as a dynamic process with a need for standardization throughout the region, to
allow for effectiveness and efficiency in service delivery, and variation, to allow fulfillment
of unique community interests. The approach requires continuous collaboration – to be able
to search, find, share, and alter meanings together.
Manitoba First Nation Strengthening Families Maternal Child Health Pilot Project | 41