A Fresh Momentum For The National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation

Muskoday, October 26, 2007 – Under the Direction of its Board of Directors and its interim Executive Director, Carol Hopkins, the National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation is looking ahead to a dynamic, promising future as the leading National Aboriginal organisation working in the field of Addictions.

The National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation has been in operation since August 2000, and as its five years strategic plan, began in 2002, is reaching its last year of implementation, the Foundation has decided to pursue a new operational direction that will consolidate its leadership role and expertise in the addictions field. This impetus for renewal and growth has been further nurtured by the strengthening of NNAPF capacity in Research and Policy Analysis through the opening of two positions in these areas at the Foundation’s Bilingual Office in Ottawa.

There is a demonstrated need for the organization to provide a national perspective on a broad range of First Nations and Inuit addictions policy, research and program-specific issues, and to provide leadership with respect to First Nations and Inuit addictions knowledge development/ transfer, in order to participate in current priority exercises (e.g. addiction evidence base, the National Alcohol Strategy, the National Treatment Strategy Working Group) and better link the existing regional networks across Canada to achieve improved health outcomes.

To respond to this need, NNAPF will fulfill the following core strategic functions:

  1. Networking: Forge and maintain a national network, acting as a conduit linking NNADAP workers, treatment centre directors, FNIHB regional consultants, and others, and build lasting relationships with other expert organizations to enhance the knowledge-base of First Nations and Inuit addictions.
  2. Communications and Information Exchange: Contribute to and facilitate the exchange of information, including best practices and emerging issues, serving as a forum for discussions among NNADAP workers, treatment centre directors, FNIHB regional consultants, and other regional staff who are involved in addictions such as nurses and other addictions experts.
  3. Policy and Research: Provide policy advice to government and other groups regarding addictions based on evidence and proven practices; contribute to the body of First Nations and Inuit addictions research by setting and influencing research priorities with academic and other groups.
  4. Advocacy on Emerging Issues and Mitigating Strategies: Provide Health Canada with issue-specific advice on behalf of First Nations and Inuit, identifying emerging issues and proposing mitigating strategies; Raise awareness among mainstream expert groups and Canadians about the nature and extent of substance abuse within Canada’s First Nations and Inuit communities.

Beside the tasks integrated into these core functions, NNAPF will continue to consolidate its structure and maintain its philosophy as a community-based, community-oriented national organisation, while developing its international work in South America as part of the circle of indigenous organisations and communities interested in strengthening their voice and influence through sharing their challenges and solutions in the field of Addictions.