The Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA) serves 33 First Nation communities in the Sioux Lookout region in Ontario, Canada. Mandated by the leadership in these communities, our organization is dedicated to strengthening First Nations by contributing in unique ways to a strong health system for the Anishinabe.
Mission Statement
Transforming the health of Anishinabe across Keewaytinook by providing community-led services and a strong voice for their community health needs.
Our Story
On January 18, 1988, five men from Sandy Lake First Nation went on a hunger strike to protest the deterioration of equitable and quality health care for First Nation communities. Under the agreement a commitment was made to improve health services, which would be “consistent with, and support, the right of Indian people to determine their own health needs and to control the health delivery system by which their needs are met.”
A health panel comprised of Archbishop Ted Scott, Wally McKay and Dr. Harry Bain were tasked to document and analyze the health care problems in the Sioux Lookout region and recommend solutions to help Nishnawbe Aski Nation and the federal government improve health care delivery.
The Scott-McKay-Bain Health Panel visited each of the First Nation communities in the Sioux Lookout area and gathered stakeholder perceptions and opinions. The resulting report recommended a move towards Native self-government with the full participation of First Nations communities for the ongoing responsibility of health care.
Of the 94 recommendations in the report, Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (NAN) strongly endorsed the implementation of the appointment of a First Nation health authority that would develop health policy for the Sioux Lookout region, and control and administer health services centrally.
The Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA) was established in March 1990 and is for health service delivery and client advocacy. SLFNHA works under the direction of First Nations’ leadership, in accordance with its goals of self-government and self-determination, to represent and address the health needs of the 31 First Nation communities in the Sioux Lookout area.
Our People/Our Team
SLFNHA consists of some of the following departments:
- Approaches to Community Wellbeing
- Nodin Mental Health Services
- Primary Care Team
- Client Services (Jeremiah McKay Kabayshewekamik Hostels)
- Developmental Services
Our Partners
- First Nations
- Tribal Councils
- Government of Canada – Treaty responsibilities
- Other health organizations (e.g., Nishnawbe Aski Nation, etc.)
Other Locations
Sioux Lookout Office:
61 Queen Street, PO Box 1300
Sioux Lookout, Ontario
P8T 1B8
(807) 737-1802
Thunder Bay Office:
981 Balmoral Street, Suite 200
Thunder Bay, Ontario
P7B 0A6