Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Apr 02/04) - Government employees from the South should be required to be familiarized with Dene and Metis culture, according to Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche.

In the Legislature last week, Menicoche said that some Southerners are ignorant of Northern lifestyle and traditions. He said some of these newcomers are very insensitive to the needs of their clients or patients and thereby treat them in an inferior manner.

His demand that new GNWT workers be forced to take cross-cultural training sessions was later directed specifically at Michael Miltenberger, Minister of Health and Social Services.

Miltenberger replied that he would raise the issue within his department and, since it wouldn't cost much money, would look at ways to start formal, ongoing cross-cultural training sessions.

In a subsequent interview with The Drum, Menicoche referred to the example of elders with broken English who go to the Fort Simpson Health Centre. Some employees attempt to convey a message but don't realize that the elders tend to nod their heads and reply with an "un-huh," even though they don't really comprehend, Menicoche explained.

The cross-cultural training would also expose Southern newcomers to the history of the area, such as the impact of residential schools, he added.

"Everyone new coming to the North should have (cross-cultural training)," said Menicoche, who added that there are local consultants who could provide the service.

Kathy Tsesto, chief executive officer for Deh Cho Health and Social Services, said she already has terms of reference drafted for a proposal call to provide such training. As to why it took this long to institute, Tsetso said it did exist in the past but was "hit and miss."

"I would say that we haven't had the capacity so much in this office to do some of the things that needed to be done," she said. "I guess a lot of patient anger and concern is because we're not understanding how to communicate with some of our people. This will improve. It not only improves patient care, it improves staff morale."