Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin Responds to Budget 2026
“I am optimistic that Budget 2026 is the first of many positive steps Manitoba is taking toward action-oriented solutions to address the geographical barriers, Anti-First Nations racism and inequitable funding imposed on northern First Nations by colonial systems.
I will remind Manitoba that KIM is working diligently to transform the quality and access to care for northern First Nations citizens and welcomes the opportunity to work with Manitoba as partners.”
– Michelle Monkman, Interim CEO, Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin
- The Province of Manitoba’s Budget 2026 demonstrates progress on improving health care for all Manitobans.
- KIM applauds the Government of Manitoba for dedicating just over $3 million to expand staffing and much needed services for four northern First Nations, however there is still much more work to be done.
- Budget 2026 does not adequately address the growing disparities faced by the north. The budget continues to disproportionately benefit southern and urban communities in Manitoba.
- First Nations across what is now Manitoba have always and continue to use strengths, such as culture, language, First Nation ways of knowing and being at all levels in matters relating to health and wellness.
- Analysis released by the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy in fall 2025 on Regional Health Authority Indicators points to significant ongoing and increasing inpatient hospitalizations resulting from accidental and self-inflicted injuries including death by suicide within the Northern Health Region.
- The NRHA reports the highest population-based percentages of birth rates which are subject to the highest reported barriers to accessing pre-natal care. This has led to the common practice of requiring parents to travel outside of the region for the birth of their children contrary to the best practices in birthing care that emphasize the importance of local care and cultural safety.
- NRHA residents experienced 52.2% of their hospitalizations in the Winnipeg Region, and this percentage has been increasing over time. NRHA residents experienced hospitalizations out-of-province at a rate of 1.3%, which is the highest percentage across all Manitoba health regions.
- Manitoba fell short in their response to their own evidence in Budget 2026 in areas including First Nation-led health and health human resource workforce strategies, accrediting First Nation-led health centres and personal care homes, and increasing dedicated, adequate and sustainable funding and resources for health.
- Strengthening positive relationships through intentional, well-resourced partnerships with First Nation leadership is a step we look forward to collaborating on further, especially towards our shared vision of ensuring culturally safe care, free from racism, for northern First Nations Peoples and our neighbours.
Link to Province of Manitoba Budget 2026: https://kiminoayawin.com/provmbbudget2026.pdf
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