Gathering of community Miyupimaatisiiun Committees renews grassroots commitment to the health of the population
Leaders and community members from across Eeyou Istchee gathered in Montreal, February 21-23, 2023, to renew a commitment to the health and wellbeing of Eeyouch as part of the Year of Social Solidarity for the Eeyou Nation.

The gathering was convened to finalize the terms of a Partnership Agreement between Cree First Nations, the Grand Council of the Cree/Cree Nation Government, the Cree School Board and the CBHSSJB to work together to improve the physical, spiritual, mental and emotional health of the population.
The Community Miyupimaatisiiun Committees, which exist in each community, will carry this mandate at the local level with the support of all the entities.

Paving the way for more holistic, grassroots, cross-entity approach to health and healing
“This gathering, which is one of the highlights of the Year of Social Solidarity, has helped revitalize our Community Miyupimaatisiiun Committees and paves the way for a more holistic, grassroots, cross-entity approach to health and healing in our communities,” – Bertie Wapachee, Chairperson of the CBHSSJB.
During the Montreal meeting, each Committee drafted an Action Plan, identifying their top priorities. The next step will be to build holistic processes and pathways in collaboration with regional and local entities.

Miyupimaatisiiun Committees will play a critical role at the community level.
“Eighty percent of what contributes to good health happens at the community level where the Miyupimaatisiiun Committees play a critical role in coordinating care among local partners.” – Daniel St-Amour, Executive Director of the CBHSSJB.
Community Miyupimaatisiiun Committees rely on the participation of community members from all walks of life. Under the agreement, employees of Cree entities will be able to work for their local Committees during regular business hours, without loss of income or status.
The Partnership Agreement will be signed at an official ceremony May 31-June 1, 2023.
8 new Traditional Eeyou Counsellors
During the gathering, the CBHSSJB Nishiiyuu Miyupimaatisiiun department welcomed eight new Traditional Eeyou Counsellors who will provide essential support to the Committees at the community level. These individuals will be available for anyone in need of traditional healing, traditional medicine or counselling.
More information about the integration of Traditional Counsellors into CBHSSJB’s service offer will be shared in the near future.