Process of Renewal

Beginnings : January 2000 to March 2007

From its inception to March 2007, NNAPF, in addition to its overall steering function, the Foundation was responsible for completing specific, time-sensitive projects and was involved in the ongoing management or follow-up of the following projects:

National Native Addictions Information System (NNAIMS) - an initiative to provide automated tools (Education, awareness, on-line bookingcapacity, communication links to all projects) to community-based, front-line addictions and Treatment Centres specialists.

Community Emergency Response Program - A National First Nations and Inuit program offering community based mental health and addiction crisis intervention expertise, based on a model to address substance abuse patterns that threaten the health, safety and lives of First Nations and Inuit youth.

System Re-Profiling - The renewal of the existing First Nations and Inuit substance abuse prevention and intervention system is mandated to NNAPF. The first stage in the process of re-profiling First Nations and Inuit substance abuse and addictions services has been designed to ensure that the process of renewal is shaped directly by those working on the ground rather than being imposed from above. Within a System re-Profiling plan expected to cover several years, financial support will be given according to specific priorities and criteria.

First Nations and Inuit Addictions Services Accreditation Program (FNIAS) - Within the context of an Accreditation Agreement with the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation, this program aims at providing a balanced, professional, paraprofessional and administrative training program to support prevention, maintenance and treatment programs with a variety of different positions, including advanced and basic level counselors.

National Training - In addition to its National Accreditation project, NNAPF facilitates the exchange of idea, knowledge and expertise between individual personnel and stakeholder groups through Annual Training Conferences. Theses conferences serve as forums for consultations on policy development, the exploration and discussions of issues of common interest, and the dissemination of information.

Tobacco Cessation - The goal of this project is to promote and support policy, program and initiatives designed to create health First Nations and Inuit communities free of tobacco misuse and addictions.

Moving on – March 2007

There is a demonstrated need for an 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, in March 2007, the NNAPF Board and staff began a process of renewal and reviewed the organisation’s vision, mission and mandate, which will guide its activities in the years to come.

At a first renewal consultative meeting on March 1st 2007, the NNAPF Board and staff developed a transitional plan of action and are putting into place the appropriate mechanisms to implement this plan, thus ensuring that NNAPF is ready to seize on the challenges and opportunities presented by the consolidation of its national leadership position.

While maintaining its momentum in other areas, NNAPF will focus on 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 (e.g.. CCSA) 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 to Health Canada issue-specific advice on behalf of First Nations and Inuit, identifying emerging issues and proposing mitigating strategies; and raise awareness among mainstream expert groups and Canadians about the nature and extent of substance abuse within Canada’s First Nations and Inuit communities.