National Aboriginal Health Organizations funding cut

The federal government, through Health Canada, has cut all funding for the National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO).

"We got a call last Wednesday and they told us that our funding of $4.4 millionwas cut, that what they were doing was protecting the monies that go to regions, to First Nations and Inuitdirect services was being protected and that funding for indirect services like ours was being cut," said Simon Brascoup, NAHO's chief executive officer.

The not-for-profit organization will close June 30. It has been running for 12 years.

NAHOs mandate was to work to advance the health of First Nations, Mtis and Inuit people in Canada. Ithad separate branches to address the health needs of each group.

Brascoupsaidthe organizationhopes tonegotiate an agreement with a university or health research institution to take over its holdings and make sure the information doesn't get lost.

Brascoupsaid they now have to do a better job of promoting the idea of healing and wellness of the First Nation, Mtis and Inuit community.

"I think the aboriginal community understands it. I think its the non-aboriginal, the average Canadian that has difficulty understanding the impacts of colonization and historical trauma on the present generation. Its partly our job and organizations like us that have to educate the average Canadian about the importance of these things," he said.

"This isnt going to go away. The issue will be thereitll be a challenge for future organizations."

Brascoupsaid they're now working to try to find jobs for their 31 employees. As for the information, he said they have already been approached by several universities and organizations about preserving it and making it available to the public.

CBC News learned last week that at least 840 positions will be cut from Health Canada, which is part of the federal budget's call to cut 19,200 job positionsfrom various government departments across the country.