MKO 22nd LEGISLATIVE GOVERNMENT HOUSE
Annual General Assembly Opaskwayak Cree Nation
September 9, 10, 11, 2003

The Faculty of Nursing, University of Manitoba, in collaboration with; the J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit - Faculty of Medicine ; Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO); and First Nations Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB); offers the Primary Care Skills and Community Health Nursing courses. The courses address the scope of practice for nurses working in nursing stations. Community Health Nursing courses are offered for non-baccalaureate prepared nurses employed in both health centres and nursing stations.

Selection Process

Nurses currently employed in band transferred agencies and/or by First Nations Inuit Health Branch are eligible for enrolment. Currently, applications are made through the Zone Nursing Officers of the FNIHB. Applications are sent to the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Manitoba for approval.

Admission Criteria

Nurses recommended by MKO and FNIHB will be eligible to apply for Community Health Nursing and Primary Care Skills if the following admission criteria are met:

1. Graduation from an approved diploma of nursing education program.
2. Registration with College of Registered Nurses (CORN) (note: nurses from other regions who are registered with their respective provincial associations, are not required to register with CORN for the university-based eight weeks of the Primary Care Skills)
3. A minimum of 1,125 hours of nursing experience as defined by the CORN will normally be required.

Objectives/Activity Report

• Develop a process of communication between the University and the sponsors of the students and the First Nation & Inuit Health Branch , Nurse Educator, to communicate the failure and withdrawal of students from the courses.
• Facilitate student registration and attendance at the University. (Identify the number and names of students from Manitoba and from out of Provinces.
• Prepare and submit invoices for tuition costs for out of province students and forward to Finance.
• Recruitment of nurses into the Primary Care Skills course by promotion of display booth, media and information pamphlet.
• Review the course material that is provided from the University of Manitoba Primary Care Skills Coordinator. This is reviewed from the Annual Report that is received from the University of Manitoba. The course syllabus is made available for my review from the Coordinator at the University of Manitoba.
• Act as liaison between First Nations & Inuit Health Branch and the University of Manitoba to participate in the delivery of the Primary Care Skills courses and the on-going reviews of the course.
• In collaboration and jointly with First Nations & Inuit Health Branch bring in nurses from outside agencies to purchase seats.
• Attend meetings at University of Manitoba when necessary to discuss the Primary Care Skills Program.
• Attend luncheons for successful students upon completion of program.
• Initiate meetings with proper resources.
• Complete Activity reports as per Contribution Agreement.

Update

• The Contribution Agreement or the Primary Care Skills Program expires August 31, 2003.
• Correspondence dated June 13, 2003, from W .D . Rutherford, Director of Operations, FNIHB that the University was very concerned about payments not received from MKO as committed. He informed me in the letter that he expected to hear from the University as to their willingness to enter into an Agreement with MKO after the present Agreement expires. If the University will not enter into an Agreement with MKO, FNIHB will enter into a direct contract with the University so as to ensure continuation of the Primary Care Skills Program
• June 13, 2003 follow-up phone call to Mr. Rutherford in regards to letter. Left message with his assistant.
• July 4, 2003 Still no response from Mr. Rutherford . I made a follow-up phone call, no answer.
• A letter dated July 10, 2003 to Mr. Al Garman, Acting Regional Director, FNIHB (Manitoba) from Dr. David Gregory, Dean stated, that the Coordinator for Primary Care Skills would not be renewing her contract effective August 31, 2003. Without a Coordinator, and without adequate human and financial resources as requested in our negotiations with FNIHB over the past many months, the Faculty cannot "deliver" this program effective immediately.
• August 1, 2003 , phone call to Dean Dr. David Gregory. Left message on voice mail.
• August 7, 2003 , No further information as to what the University and FNIHB plans are to continue with the Primary Care Skills Program.