Entitlements and health services for First Nations and Métis women in Manitoba and Saskatchewan

Printer-friendly version

Aboriginal groups have unique cultures with different languages and traditions that influence self-identify, and should not be thought of as a homogeneous group. Furthermore, this confusion of terms has particular implications in the realm of health care, because terminology, identity and legal status have direct bearing on who receives what health benefits. More often than not, when
looking at health services, it is more suitable to recognize the differences between First Nations, Métis and Inuit women.
This paper was written for both health researchers and policy-makers to examine the legal entitlements for health care services, clarify the terminology, and most importantly to demonstrate how they affect the women seeking health services. This understanding can then be taken into account in new research and policy development. In keeping with Prairie Women’s Health Centre
of Excellence’s mandate, specific to Manitoba and Saskatchewan, this paper is focused in those two provinces. The discussion in this paper focuses on First Nations and Métis people, who comprise the vast majority of Aboriginal people in the two provinces.