FALL 2018
SINCE 2002
Telemedicine Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to circulation dept: Kildonan Place, RPO Box 43084, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R2C 5G7
Offering Equal Access to Healthcare for Indigenous Communities
Your Right to Access
Medical Cannabis IcMD Explains
Meet Up-and-Coming MMA Athlete
Kelly Chinchilla Marymound’s
Medicinal Garden Indigenous Horse Racing The Oldest Extreme Sport in North America
PM 43436539 PRINTED IN CANADA $6.99
HEALTH & FITNESS
2 | HEALTH AND FITNESS 2018
SINCE 2002
CONTENTS
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Cover Story - Putting Healthcare in the Hands of our People
ISSUE 92
FALL 2018
SAY MAGAZINE Volume 17, Issue 7 SAY Magazine publishes eight times a year: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall, as well as Made in Manitoba, Back2School, Economic Development and Education Guide issues. SAY Magazine is published by Spirit of Aboriginal Youth Inc. Mailing Address: Kildonan Place, RPO Box 43084 Winnipeg, MB Canada R2C 5G7 E: info@saymag.com www.saymag.com Publishers Dominick Blais and Kent Brown
SAY Magazine assumes no responsibility for submitted material. SAY Magazine assumes no responsibility for statements made by advertisers or in submitted material. Graphics, photographs, editorial content and other printed material are the property of SAY Magazine and may not be used without the written permission of SAY Magazine. ISSN: 1707-3049 All copy copyright 2018 by SAY Magazine GST: 856627534RT0001
Editor-in-Chief/Sales Manager Danielle Vienneau editor@saymag.com Editor/Writer Sarah Vaage
Profile - Interview with Athlete and Single Mom Kelly Chinchilla
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Sacred Herbs of the Medicine Wheel Meet SAY’s Consulting Elder Redsky
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Music Indigenous Sport Resources
Subscriptions subscriptions@saymag.com Art Director Orli Gelfat - Orli G. Design Printed in Canada
Printed on recycled paper using vegetable based inks.
Website and Social Media Sphere Media Agency info@spheremediaagency.com Submissions are welcome. Articles, letters, queries etc. should be sent by email to the editor at editor@saymag.com. Connect with us: www.facebook.com/saymagazine https://twitter.com/SAYMagazine www.pinterest.ca/SAYMagazine
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Marymound - Cultivating a Healthier Generation
14
Indian Relay Racing Growing on a Global Scale
HEALTH AND FITNESS 2018 | 3
ELDER PROFILE
Elder Redsky
Redsky started his journey as a medicine man and healer in 1982, after the passing of his brother. Following the death of his brother, Redsky had a vision of his brother taking him to the spirit world. When they got there, there were four old men that met them and spoke to them in their language, Ojibway. “They said, ‘you have to go back. You have a lot of work to do. Why are you here?’” said Redsky. It was soon after this experience that Redsky began his healing journey and started attending sweat lodge ceremonies and Sundance ceremonies. “I started a healing journey for myself, not knowing where I was going because our way of life was not spoken of, even though I witnessed it as a young boy,” said Redsky. “It was difficult going through life, not really understanding spiritually.” “The visions I used to have as a child kept coming and coming, so I went to sweat ceremonies and fasting ceremonies to understand those visions and dreams. It took me seven years to get through the darkness of healing— seven long years to understand who I was as a human, as a man.”
from her. “The teachings and the advice she gave me were strong,” said Redsky. “I used to dream of her telling me she’s waiting for me to smarten up. ‘We have a gift for you,’ she would say. It took a long time for me to realize that I needed to put my afflictions away.
It took me seven years to get through the darkness of healing–seven long years to understand who I was as a human, as a man. “When I was well into my healing journey, the gifts my grandmother spoke of started materializing for me.”
When his family found out he had been attending sweat lodge ceremonies, his mother and grandmother shared their story about his birth. “When I was born, they were told that someday I would help the people,” said Redsky.
Redsky comes from a long line of medicine people. When his grandmother gave him her blessing she also gave him his first responsibility, to carry his grandfather’s pipe. “After the big meeting in spirit world (with my brother), the spirits gave me permission to carry that pipe. My grandmother said, ‘I will teach you a little bit and they (the spirits) will teach you the rest.’” Passed down through generations, Redsky’s grandfather’s pipe is roughly 400 years old.
Over the years, Redsky spent as much time as he could with his grandmother, learning
Redsky is his given name, and Norman, his English name. He was born and raised in a
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little community called Sainte Rose du Lac, an independent urban community within the province of Manitoba, Canada. Raised in a single family home, Redsky was 12 years old when his family moved to the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba. He soon met his father and spent several years learning from him. “He put me to work—teaching me about life,” said Redsky. Now Redsky is the conductor of sweat lodge and shake-tent ceremonies, and is a Sundance chief. Redsky and his family also grow their own natural tobacco for ceremonial purposes. “It’s quite the process,” said Redsky. “We started in mid-June, and we just finished harvesting in early October. It will take until next June for the tobacco leaves to be ready for us to harvest again for ceremony.” “I have learned about the sacredness of tobacco, and I have taken the responsibility to learn how to look after it, plant it, dry it and harvest it,” he further acknowledged. Throughout his journey he has had to learn much on his own through a vision quest and fasting, and through the various ceremonies he has attended. Redsky is known to medical professionals nationwide and is a sought-after healer in Manitoba. He has travelled across North America and abroad to aid others using traditional healing methods.
COVER STORY
“Putting Healthcare in the Hands of our People” A family doctor is often difficult to find for the average person living in a major urban centre, but it is even more difficult for those living in rural or remote communities. For many First Nations people living on-reserve and for many tribes in the United States access to quality healthcare, medical devices or medications is simply not an option. However, this lack of care will soon become a thing of the past as more and more health care systems become digitized - transforming the lives of people across North America. In Canada, Indigenous Canadian Medical Dispensaries (IcMD) - the only fully Indigenous-owned and operated company of its kind - is taking the lead and creating opportunities for Indigenous communities to receive better access to healthcare through telemedicine and video conferencing, lessening the burden on the healthcare system in the long run. Michael Birch, President and COO of IcMD, grew up in Garden Hill First Nation - a fly-in remote community in Northern Manitoba, Canada, with a population of just over 3,000. Birch remembers not having access to a doctor or nurse, or even a healthcare facility at times. Together with Christopher Henry, a proud member of the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) and CEO of IcMD, the duo created IcMD.ca and set out to address the lack of access to almost every healthcare service most Canadians take for granted. With the focus on equal access to healthcare for Indigenous people - including the right to access medical cannabis - IcMD decided the most transformative option would be through the rapidly growing trend of digital health, and that’s when they came across Namaste Technologies (TSXV:N). IcMD’s partnership with Namaste
Technologies will provide all Indigenous communities across Canada (representing a population of over 1.5 million people) with free access to the company’s revolutionary telemedicine application and online patient portal NamasteMD. In early 2019 NamasteMD will be white-labelled “IcMD”, becoming a dedicated app available on any device with a camera and internet access for Indigenous people across Canada. This agreement represents a significant milestone, as IcMD and Namaste Technologies collaborate in providing Indigenous communities across Canada with the ability to exercise their right to access medical cannabis. This will be accomplished by offering all community members free video consultations, whereby patients have instant access to doctors or nurse practitioners to review their healthcare requirements. IcMD’s management team is committed to supporting Indigenous communities and believes the application
will serve as a powerful tool to enhance the lives of many members. Both IcMD and Namaste Technologies view this partnership as an incredible opportunity to become leaders in Indigenous healthcare by providing people with safe and reliable access to healthcare alternatives, such as through medical cannabis and eventually telemedicine. “To be able to offer access to reliable, secure healthcare and put it in the hands of our people is a dream I didn’t think would ever happen in my lifetime,” said Birch. “By partnering with Namaste Technologies we will finally be able to give all Indigenous people, regardless of location, access to a more equal standard of care.” Birch and Henry have each worked in and with Indigenous communities for almost three decades, and have dedicated their lives to driving social change. Recognizing the dangers of an impending opioid epidemic, Birch and Henry knew there was no better time to implement a system that could provide better access to healthcare. “We know that drugs are an immense problem in many communities. Since launching the program at the Assembly of First Nations General Assembly in July 2018, we’ve found that most Elders and communities are very receptive to the program because it can help deal with one of the biggest problems in Indigenous communities, which is addiction and over-prescription of pharmaceuticals.” “Having the support of Elders and community leaders is essential to ensuring the realization of the program. While the youth in our communities are the fastest growing segment in Canada, it is the Elders and leadership we must look to for guidance,” said Henry. HEALTH AND FITNESS 2018 | 19
COVER STORY
“IcMD” – The Service and Application
“Healing is part of who we are as Indigenous people. It’s part of our culture. When Michael Birch came to ask me to join their team I knew right away that this could be a real turning point for how our people can get equal access to healthcare,” said Beach. “Returning to our roots and recognizing that a natural method exists to deal with many of the health issues in our communities is just one side of IcMD. We know not everything can be treated with medical cannabis, and that’s why we have also created the IcMD Pharmacy. Capable of filling any prescription and sending it to your door allows us to ensure we offer a more complete healthcare option.” 20 | HEALTH AND FITNESS 2018
“Because this is a fully-licensed Health Canada app, we are able to manage these comprehensive and secure medical records and potentially share them back with the local physician so that everyone can share medical information for the same individual,” said Henry. “In addition to our Canada-wide pharmacy services we will soon be licensed to ship Canadian quality and priced medications to any of our brother or sister nations in the United States or to any American who needs equal access to fair pricing.” The services offered by IcMD are primarily focused on those with chronic illnesses and conditions. A variety of custom healthcare and treatment plan options are provided, including medical cannabis prescriptions, medications and access to medical devices. The goal is to improve quality of life, achieve each person’s wellness goals and heal the body so people can live the best life possible. It’s up to the individual to choose the treatment plan with which they are most comfortable. “The hope is to get people back to a more natural method of healing, which may require the use of medical cannabis and CBDs, in turn reducing the reliance on pharmaceuticals,” explained Henry. “So many people are suffering from joint pain, arthritis and other ailments that can be treated without damage to the body by using medical cannabis. CBDs, for example, have nothing to do with getting high – they’re about managing inflammation, arthritis, mood stabilization and insomnia. Health Canada has had a medical
cannabis system in place since 2001. This is a long-established industry in which Health Canada itself lists over 25 conditions that can be treated with medical cannabis products. Health Canada has even approved clinical trials for using CBDs on pets.” Telemedicine is evolving at such a rapid pace that even now doctors are able to diagnose illnesses and medical issues using mobile technology. “There’s incredible technology coming out of countries like Israel that can turn your phone into a complete medical device and upload that information to your application so that it gets into your nurses’ and doctors’ hands,” said Henry. “They have blood pressure monitors that connect to and are powered by your phone, and blood glucose monitors for diabetes that take your readings and maintain the records for viewing by your doctor or nurse. Even devices that monitor you from a sensor on your body and administer insulin as required.” Many cell phone cameras today are capable of being used to see basic issues in eyes, ears, noses and throats. Uploading a picture of a skin issue could be enough to get a referral to the right specialist. With the advancements in telemedicine, IcMD will
Why le
IcMD is proud to have Hollywood actor Adam Beach join their company as an advisor and their official spokesperson. Beach, an advocate for the preservation of Indigenous communities and their rights as nations, is passionate about bringing healthcare to all Indigenous people.
Caption: Adam Beach, Spokesperson for IcMD
Adam Beach
“IcMD.ca” (NamasteMD) is a fully-licensed Health Canada application. Consultation services, advice and care are provided by doctors and nurses through video conferencing and remote patient monitoring. The service is free -- there is no charge for the app or consultations, and prescriptions are delivered right to the patient’s door. The only thing someone might pay for is medication if they do not have medical coverage.
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COVER STORY
IcMD Gives Back give everyone access to equal care from the comfort of their own homes. SAY asked Henry of IcMD if there is concern about not being able to reach those who do not have access to a digital device; “Indigenous people are some of the most digitally-connected groups, despite having a lack of access to many services. Almost everyone has a cell phone – we all rely on them,” said Henry. “With a goal of reaching 1.5 million people, it’s possible we won’t be able to reach everyone in every community in every region. However, provincial and federal governments are committing hundreds of millions of dollars to bring high-speed internet to rural and remote communities in the North. As they complete those programs, people will have increased access.” IcMD is part of what some may categorize as somewhat of a generational shift. The trend of faster, more efficient and more accessible care that offers virtual visits without having to leave home or the office has
become a priority for many of us in the fast-paced world in which we live. Additionally, the option to access more natural methods of healing and recovery is a welcomed alternative for many. IcMD asks that in considering your healthcare delivery systems and standard of care, and as with any new program or healthcare regime, to be responsible, do your research and understand the risks. Consider your healthcare goals and establish what you are and what you are not comfortable with. For additional information and resources on medical cannabis consult the Government of Canada website at https://www. canada.ca/en/health-canada/topics/accessing-cannabis-for-medical-purposes. html. For more information on IcMD and its services, please visit https://icmd.ca.
The Information provided in this article is for information purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of SAY Magazine or Spirit of Aboriginal Youth Enterprises. While cannabis can have medical benefits, it also comes with limitations and risks. Nothing in SAY Magazine or saymag.com should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of medicine. None of the individual contributors, developers, sponsors or anyone else connected to SAY are responsible for the results or consequences of any attempt to use or adopt any of the information presented in SAY magazine or on saymag.com.
IcMD is devoted to ensuring communities also benefit from this economic opportunity, and as a result they are committed to returning 5% of the gross profit back to each community from which it came. By tracking patient orders by location and community IcMD maintains a fund from which each community will benefit. When a community reaches its threshold of $5,000 IcMD will return to the community to offer that money back to the chief and council or community leadership to best decide where the funds are spent. The hope is that communities will develop social programs, scholarships or put the funds towards a needed community project. For communities that are interested in signing up as a whole, IcMD will offer an exclusive agreement of 10% of the gross profits back to that community. This will allow communities to see the economic benefit of medical cannabis or anything else IcMD provides to their members, whether those members live in the community or not. HEALTH AND FITNESS 2018 | 21