2. Women's Perspectives - Christian Aboriginal Infrastructure ...

In Volume 3, Chapter 3, we proposed a significant shift in the locus of control of personal
and community services, away from centralized, bureaucratic regulation and toward
Aboriginal community control. We also endorsed the development of distinct institutions
mandated by Aboriginal governments and accountable to Aboriginal people. We
proposed that the new directions for Aboriginal health and healing systems be based on
four guidelines for action:
• equity of health and social welfare outcomes;
• holism in the diagnosis of problems, their treatment and prevention;
• Aboriginal authority over health systems and, where feasible, community control over
services; and
• diversity in the design of systems and services.
We also proposed four practical strategies for the reconstruction of health and healing
systems in Aboriginal nations and communities, strategies that are preconditions for the
health and social well-being of Aboriginal people no matter which governments are in
charge:
• the development of a system of Aboriginal healing centres and healing lodges under
Aboriginal control as the principle units of holistic and culture-based health and wellness
services;
• the development of Aboriginal human resources adequate to the new system, its values
and assumptions;
• the full and active support of mainstream health and social service authorities and
providers in meeting the health and healing goals of Aboriginal people; and
• the implementation of an infrastructure development program to address the most
immediate health threats in Aboriginal communities, including the provision of clean
water, basic sanitation facilities and safe housing.
The participation of Aboriginal women in these initiatives should be viewed by
Aboriginal governments as not only desirable but imperative. As we have shown, women
are providing leadership in many community-based projects, and they are often in the
front line of service provision. The importance that Aboriginal women attach to healing
cannot be overstated, and their role in achieving wellness needs to be acknowledged and
incorporated in all aspects of the design, development and implementation of health and
social services.
Recommendation
The Commission recommends that
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