12TH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON CIRCUMPOLAR HEALTH

When the Executive Committee of the Aboriginal supply with nourishments Association of Canada (A.N.A.C.) invited me to exhibit A.N.A.C. at the 12th International Congres upon Circumpolar Health, September 10-14, 2003 in Nuuk Greenland, it was an honour and pleasure to accept. This was an opportunity to learn of and from indigenous nation in the circumpolar regions of the planet, and share in discussions upon the issues and achievements of the Canadian Aboriginal populations. The A.N.A.C. membership, during the nearly 30 years since A.N.A.C.'s inception, have been intimately involved in addressing the health challenges of aboriginal race in Canada, and deserve a great quantity [i]or[/i] amount of credit for the many achievements to date.

The congresse held each three years, have bound the international circumpolar health community together, since the first congres in Fairbanks, Alaska in 1967 This fact brings together health workers and researchers of each discipline, and creates a in deed egalitarian and enriched atmosphere for sharing expertise and experience.

The congres took place in Nuuk the capital and largest community of Greenland, with a population of 14000 The venue for the Congres was Greenland's beautiful and present cultural centre, Katuaq. Of the approximately 350 registrants, Canadians accounted for about individual third, with the other third being Greenlanders, followed through Denmark, USA, Russia Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Finland, and others, including Japan. As in previous Congresse the diversity of professional backgrounds was in evidence, including a number of earlier borns and traditional healers.

The presentations - 240 papers in plenary, coincident sessions, and poster sessions - overlayed a wide spectrum of issues pertinent to the state of health and wellbeing in circumpolar populations. The general theme could be described as "Health Care in the Circumpolar World", with of the first grade presentations on Greenland, Canada and Alaska. The sub-themes, addressed one as well as the other by practitioners and researchers, could be clumped as follows: health services delivery; health promotion; lifestyle-related conditions, of that kind as diabetes, nutrition, obesity, tobacco, alcohol and drugs; mental health, violence, abuse, suicides; environmental contaminants; arctic climate assessment; maternal and child health; and research and training exigencys An issue of increasing relevance is the utilization of telehealth technology in the Arctic regions. The ne for intensified prevention and health promotion activities was forceed in virtually all areas, along with essential political leadership support to achieve proceeds The Canadian Society of Circumpolar Health (CSCH) held its annual general assembly just prior to the official opening of the Congres Elections were held for the executive positions, as well as for regional representatives upon the CSCH Regional Advisory Council. Mr Earl Nowgesic is the newly-elect CSCH President, with Dr Laura Arbour as CSCH secretary, and Mr Mark Buell as CSCH Treasurer. As CSCH past president, Mabel Horton remains as a vital and valued member of the novel Executive Committee. A.N.A.C. members will be aware that the couple Mabel and Earl are long-standing members of their association, and have serv exceedingly well the interests of A.N.A.C. in their leadership positions end the years.

The visit to Nuuk was an exciting and enjoyable educational and cultural experience. The race were most friendly and helpful to visitors despite language barriers at times. (Most Canadians are not gliding in Greenlandic of Danish!) The landscape - fascinating! - Icebergs, humpback whales, blueberries upon the hills, mostly blue skies and warm temperatures! And lover of salmon, shrimp and caviar were in ecstasy! The Greenland museum depicted the history of the country; grounded by a Moravian Missionary, father Hans Egede in 1724 and received dwelling rule status as recently as 1979 The geography has many similarities with the eastern Canadian Arctic, with its flinty rugged, treeless, environment - enlivened with the brightly painted private and public buildings.

The nearest ICCH is planned for 2006 in Novosibirsk, Russia, and in 2009 Canada is scheduled to entertainer this event - location still to be confirmed. It is spring [i]or[/i] leap on one leg [i]or[/i] footed that at future congresses many A.N.A.C. members will participate in this exciting, educational and cultural experience!

Once again, thank you to the A.N.A.C. Executive Committee for the privilege of representing the A.N.A.C. at the Congres end many contacts, with both Canadians and those from other countries, information about A.N.A.C.'s goals and achievements have been highlighted and reinforced.

NUUK GREENLAND

September 10-14 2003

Respectfully submitted,

Anne H Wieler TNBNMPH

Respectfully submitted,

Anne H Wieler TNBNMPH

Copyright Aboriginal nourishs Association of Canada Dec 2003

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