Health survey focuses on Dene Nation in Canada’s Northwest Territories

Two-year effort in N.W.T. has some surprises, confirms other data

A new health survey in Canada’s Northwest Territories is giving the Dene Nation a clearer picture of how healthy its members are.

Over two years, aboriginal workers in 17 communities knocked on doors speaking with people of all ages in their language, about their health.

Most people rated their health as good to very good.Many people said they still rely on country food.

However, there are some startling numbers.

Most people surveyed — 90 per cent — said at some point they or their family have gone hungry.

There are also seemingly contradictory numbers: 60 per cent of Dene smoke, while three quarters of the homes are smoke-free.

As for Dene concerns, alcohol and drug abuse top the list when it comes to health and living conditions.

When asked about community strengths, most people rated family values as the highest, followed by elders.

Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus hopes the survey yields better results than past surveys because it was completed with fewer cultural barriers.

The Dene Nation plans to discuss the findings in Dettah at the end of the month.

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