National Aboriginal Health Organization facts for kids

The National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) was an organization in Canada created and run by Indigenous people. Its main goal was to improve the health and well-being of Indigenous communities across the country.

NAHO started in 2000. It received money from Health Canada to do important work like education and research. The organization focused on Indigenous communities and used both traditional Indigenous healing methods and modern health approaches. NAHO recognized three main groups of Indigenous Peoples: First Nations, Inuit, and Métis.

NAHO aimed to improve Indigenous health and understanding of health issues. It also encouraged Indigenous people to be more involved in health care. Another important goal was to protect and support traditional Indigenous healing practices. NAHO stopped its operations on June 30, 2012, after its funding was cut.

How NAHO Was Organized

NAHO was led by a group called the Board of Directors. This board had 13 members. Eight of these members were chosen by important Indigenous organizations:

• Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
• Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
• Métis National Council
• Native Women's Association of Canada

The remaining five board members were chosen by the first eight members.

NAHO was divided into three special centres. Each centre focused on the unique health needs of a specific Indigenous group:

• The First Nations Centre
• The Inuit Tuttarvingat (which used to be called the Ajunnginiq Centre)
• The Métis Centre

These centres worked to improve health and well-being by creating health programs that respected each group's culture.

What NAHO Did

NAHO worked on many projects to help with Indigenous health issues. These projects covered topics like healthy living and traditional healing practices. For example, they supported midwifery, which is care for pregnant people and new babies.

The organization also published research on its website. NAHO members often shared their findings at conferences about Indigenous health. This helped spread important information and ideas.

Journal of Aboriginal Health

NAHO published a special magazine called the Journal of Aboriginal Health. This was a medical journal that focused on Indigenous health. It was a peer-reviewed journal, meaning experts checked the articles before they were published.

The journal started in 2004. It shared new research, opinions, and suggestions for further reading. Each issue of the journal had a different guest editor. This editor would invite experts to write articles from many different viewpoints.

See also

• Indian Health Transfer Policy (Canada)
• Canada Health Act
• Canada Health Transfer
• First Nations and diabetes
• Health care in Canada
• Royal Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada
• The Canadian Crown and Aboriginal peoples
• Indian Act