Arctic Med Res. 1991 ; Suppl(): 217-20.

Developing an integrated traditional/clinical health system in the Yukon.

Wheatley MA.

Council for Yukon Indians, Whitehorse, Canada.

The introductory steps have been taken in Yukon. Elders have met and voiced their concerns and initial contacts have been made with government officials, medical and legal consultants. A proposal is now being developed to obtain funding to design a suitable model for an integrated Yukon Indian/clinical health care system. One of the next steps, following on the advice of the Elders, should be for communities to establish their own projects to record the plants and practices used, with the assistance of their Elders. The communities should also identify people who use traditional practices who are willing to come forward. They could then come together with the Elders to discuss their concerns. Beyond that, representatives from the traditional system will need to meet with representatives of the mainstream system, to discuss areas of co-operation. Once the "content" has been identified, the model for integrating the two health systems can be addressed. This will necessitate further meetings of Yukon Territorial Government officials, legal advisors, medical advisors, and Yukon First Nations representatives. The proposal currently being developed will build on the initial steps which have been taken. The Yukon Territorial Government has indicated a willingness to look at ways of including traditional health care practices for patients who wish to use them. The receptivity of government and Yukon medical profession and the expressed concerns of the Elders indicate that now is the time to proceed.