NEWS
Premier Smith says Alberta could have a binding referendum on secession in early 2027
August 21, 2026
Premier Danielle Smith says Alberta could have a binding referendum on succession in early 2027
Premier sets 2.5 month timeline to consult with First Nations if Alberta majority wants to go to polls on separation.
Excerpt from the Globe article:
Jauvonne Kitto who works with First Nations groups as a adviser and negotiator, said Alberta's Premier is underestimating how long it will take to properly consult Indigenous people over the potential break-up of the country and how that would affect treaty rights. The Crown is obligated to provide First Nations with a reasonable amount of time for consultations, which is measured against the seriousness and complexity of the issue under negotiation, Ms. Kitto said.
"Separation is obviously the most serious and complex matter possible," she said. "The potential to undermine treaty rights attracts the highest level of scrutiny from the courts, and requires the highest level of consultation." Globe
Drawing on Canadian precedents, including discussions preceding the patriation of the Constitution in 1982, Ms. Kitto said consultations on succession would likely take 1.5 to two years.
Questerre appoints Jauvonne Kitto to the Board
February 6, 2024
Questerre Energy Corporation (TSX,OSE:QEC) is pleased to announce that Ms. Jauvonne Kitto has joined the Board of Directors of Questerre.
Praxis Spinal Care Institute appoints Jauvonne Kitto to the Board
July 28, 2022
Praxis Spinal Cord Institute adds four leaders to the board. New directors being a combined health care, community, governance and finance experience.
Telemedicine networks are significant tools supporting clinicians in remote areas
September 30, 2021
On the heels of a nationwide acceleration of virtual care sparked by the pandemic, patients and clinicians in rural, remote and Indigenous communities are finding that accessing healthcare services or peer support can be as easy and comfortable as calling a friend.
Maple Maskawâhtik, a joint venture by telemedicine provider Maple and Saa Dene Group, a collective of Indigenous-owned companies, is another virtual platform working to expand access to essential services where they’re needed most across Canada.
Saa Dene president and founder Jim Boucher, a First Nations chief for more than three decades and Saa Dene CEO Jauvonne Kitto, a former First Nations health director, bring firsthand experience and knowledge of healthcare access issues to the venture. Maple brings the virtual care platform and the expertise to tailor the technology to support community-based models of care.
The approach includes training and socializing providers in the Maple Maskawâhtik network to foster cultural sensitivity, as well as broadening provider types available on the platform to include healers, medicine men, sacred knowledge keepers, elders and others, depending on community-specific needs.
Maple Maskawâhtik is currently working with several communities across Canada and is also partnering with leading 5G telecommunications providers to address connectivity concerns in remote areas.
Recently, the venture partnered with the Alberta government to launch an alternative relationship plan (ARP) program, allowing them to offer virtual care on a publicly funded basis to all Albertans.
“Our goal is to grow this ARP with a focus on rural and remote communities and helping patients who are unattached … who don’t have a family physician or reliable means of care,” said Prada, calling the ARP a critical first step. “The technology will allow us to enhance access in those communities and not only bring access to physicians, but make sure that we’re looping in culturally appropriate care.”
In her former role as health director, Kitto witnessed healthcare inequity firsthand. Doctor services were only provided a few days per week in community and when specialty services were required, people had to travel six hours or more.
“I believe that an individual should have a choice of who they wish to see, when they wish to see them and where, and virtual care enables that,” said Kitto, noting that Maple Maskawâhtik will offer specialized cultural healing as well. At the same time, she recognizes that the inequity issue is not only affecting Indigenous peoples but all people living in rural and remote Canadian communities.
“Maple Maskawâhtik is a true form of collaboration and continuity of care,” she added. “It is Indigenous owned and led, so we understand the culturally appropriate care model, but we also don’t want to limit it to one demographic of people.”
Partnership brings virtual care to Indigenous communities
January 28, 2021
Indigenous citizens in Canada have a long history of being underserved by the healthcare system – often living in remote locations, they must frequently travel to get proper care.
“Telehealth isn’t new to First Nations, but in the past, it hasn’t met the service needs of communities,” said Jauvonne Kitto, CEO of Saa Dene Group. “The services provided offered a small network and very little mental healthcare supports.”
She explained that it isn’t much help to a patient if a practitioner is only available in 2-4 weeks. In contrast, Maple Maskawâhtik will be providing “on-demand care”, with less than a couple minute waiting period, 24/7, 365 days a year.
“The Maple Maskawâhtik team has made it a priority to provide culturally appropriate training to the care providers, led by the appropriate stakeholders,” said Kitto. “Maple has agreed to make it part of their strategy.” She noted that this is unique among groups providing care in Canada.