Humanitarian Concept: "Indigenous Mobile Hospital Deployments"

Hello All,

First, I wanted to shrink from the scale of this conceptual design since I first saw the challenge posted at "HeroX.com". A site looking for Innovators to be matched to sponsors offering grants as rewards within particular niche challenges. I found one program that was sponsored by a Canadian accounting firm named MNP. Which has served aboriginal cultures of the First Nations, Inuit, and Metis populations for over 25 years time.

I Immediately had a flash of inspiration from my Intuition, but my heart began to sank when I saw the criteria submission guidelines. Not that they are unreasonable, just that two of the criteria I lacked the skills to source properly on my own. Since its stipulated that submitting incomplete material is rejected completely. Those variables were creating up to a 3 minute video presentation and bouncing my idea off an Indigenous person in Canada. Before resigning myself to apathy I decided to be a rather misfit Innovator and post the solution here instead at "Atrayo's Oracle". I had no realistic interest in the $35,000 Canadian grant award that was being offered by MNP anyhow.

The criteria of the idea challenge must be neutral in cost overlays budget wise. Besides requiring no governmental legislation to be enacted in servicing medical care in remote Indigenous populations in Canada. 

Here's a video from Executive Vice President of Clients & Services "Laurel Wood" from MNP describing the idea challenge. Which they call "Operation Blue Sky: Aboriginal Health Initiative".

Here's the link to the "HeroX.com" challenge:  

http://herox.com/MNPbluesky

My proposed solution to this dilemma is two fold including Canadian Army and Navy or Coast Guard assets. Since it requires to be addressing these 6 criteria overall as noted by MNP. Which are: Relevant, Culturally Appropriate and Inclusive, Cost Neutral, Flexible and able to respond to unique community needs, Action Oriented, Pragmatic and Sustainable, and Functional given current Legislative and Fiscal environment.

Given those parameters anything in the civilian infrastructure is incapable of heading into often remote wilderness encampments across Canada. Except for the Canadian Military forces which have at their disposal "Combat Surgical Hospitals (CSH). They used to be called (MASH) "Mobile Army Surgical Hospital" units as popularized by the comedy sitcom series depicted during the Korean War conflict. 

A military health care unit may clash culturally with the criteria of this being culturally sensitive to the First Nations, Inuit, and Metis cultures. However it can be made at least partially inclusive by including enlisted and commissioned officers that may represent such aboriginal identities across Canada. Perhaps even pulling out of retirement commissioned officers with Canadian aboriginal backgrounds to aid as liaisons with such a healthcare mission.

The deployment of a pilot program (CSH) "Combat Surgical Hospital" unit to the hardest hit remote tribal settlement in Canada. As a baptism to see how viable such an effort could work on land and at sea with a Naval or Coast Guard Hospital vessel for Inuit populations. I would envision personnel rotations of 3 month deployments, however the (CSH) encampment would persist all year long. In cooperation with local Elder government council and the military engineers could pick an appropriate camp site together. Thus avoiding any holy sites or other locations that would offend the local indigenous cultures. Perhaps situated on the outskirts of a township or a bit farther a field that is acceptable to the military engineers and the tribal government. 

The "Combat Surgical Hospital" unit as I'm sourcing pertinent facts are from the Wikipedia page in general. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat_Support_Hospital

It states the most common medical unit deployments are that of the 44 bed variety, but can be scaled up to 248 beds, that requires at full deployment 600 personnel. Most likely the Indigenous Mobile Hospital Deployments would only use the 44 bed configuration. With appropriate support personnel including any military police units to keep order within the military camp itself. Without jurisdiction in the tribal townships, although in emergencies could only offer support help to the tribal police squad on site.

The typical (CSH) medical services are that of a climate controlled patient care environment. With a pharmacy, laboratory, X-Ray (CT Scanners too), dental capabilities, and additional medical services. All of which is powered by robust generators that are brought on site to facilitate their deployment needs. Additional medical services I could envision afflicting many of these aboriginal cultures to date. Similarly encountered in the United States is a rehab treatment for alcoholism, suicide prevention (amongst the youth particularly), and any rape domestic shelters as needed.

Public Town Hall meetings on a bi-monthly basis would help alleviate any misunderstandings between the First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples. With the Colonel in charge and support spokespersons on behalf of the military. Even a tour for the Elder tribal council to inspect the (CSH) unit once it is erected for the local indigenous citizens could be offered.

Many Canadian armed forces have helped over these nearly 2 decades in Iraq and Afghanistan with the coalition allied forces. Now that legacy knowledge of helping often remote tribal regions in Iraq and Afghanistan can be put to good use in their native soil. Canadian health care quality is known and promoted as top notch globally as Mrs. Laurel Wood mentioned in the above MNP video. However a notorious gap has afflicted the aboriginal First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples in health care viability. 

My proposed "Indigenous Mobile Hospital Deployments" is a potential step in mitigating these often unimaginable circumstances for irreplaceable cultures of Canada. Be it Army or Naval health care personnel deployed in (CSH) units or a naval vessel delivering first class medical care in remote locations. Any nation in the post-Industrial world is judged by how they care for their own on a societal basis regardless of need. Much like the United States faces or at times ignores the affliction of tribal nations out of convenience. By pretending that out of sight is out of mind behavior is not sustainable, nor humane as the so-called land of the Free and the Brave. Canada faces the similar dilemma on a societal basis on how they treat their Indigenous citizens. I hope this proposed solution mitigates some of the factors that have been entrenched for decades within the blessed nation of Canada. 

Civil Rights Concept: "Indigenous Cultures Sports Team Negiotated Settlement"

Hello All,

With this season of gift giving practically behind us now as we're enjoying the vestiges of our abundance. The role of my blog site "Atrayo's Oracle" is to utilize my internal calling to alleviate suffering, be of practical service, and to bring joy to all. The role of my calling is that of an "Oracle Imagineer" combining my intuitive spiritual gifts with futuristic imaginative innovations as potential solutions to society. That has been the case since 2005 when this blog site launched followed by two self-published books in the spiritual wisdom tradition.

The reason why I make such a declaration is two-fold. One, we are all obligated to attempt to pursue our dreams by means of our internal calling from all we hold of a pure heart. Two, to admire the good in the world no matter how quaint to how sublime it may appear. Gratitude works both ways for the giver and the receiver and I am truly humbled by my soulful gifts.

Today's concept is about the recent dilemma Native American's as indigenous cultures in our great land. Are troubled by the alleged racism of collegiate to professional sports leagues using their likeness at their expense. My personal opinion is I see nothing offensive since whatever the sport in America. Depictions of Native Americans be it in Football for instance as the Washington "Red Skins". Is a display of the nobility and fighting spirit of a very proud people. You can call me naive and up to a point you may be right. However the "National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)" (Link) considers this plain racial mistreatment of Indigenous cultures. By sports teams be they football, basketball, baseball, ice hockey, soccer, etc.. Their request if not veiled demand is that such sports franchises change their team names to appease a greater sensibility. Although to do so wipes out in many ways the rich cultural heritage of these sports teams to a degree.

Back in June of 2012 the "University of North Dakota" changed their athletic program name. From "North Dakota Fighting Sioux" to the "University of North Dakota Athletic Program" due to the offense American Indians took to heart.

My concept comes down the middle giving merit to America's Indigenous Tribes and for the Sports Leagues themselves to a limited degree. For I do not have a dog in this race at all so I attempt to be impartial. Below is what follows as my concept to benefit both the Native Americans in economic investments to their future generations in education. Including infrastructure investments and cultural enrichment overall for the Indians and the ordinary American. The sports leagues would be best suited to attend a negotiated settlement out of self-interest in the least. For the Native Americans could easily go for a Legal Class Action Lawsuit Status as a consequence of not negotiating for a Grand Bargain.

Now to understand all sports leagues be they University to full Professional sports franchises have profited using Native American names, likeness, logos, and mascots. Consider the decades of such ill tolerated perceptions by Native Americans or in Canada's case "First Nations Culture". Where these sports leagues benefited in: stadium construction; athlete / coach, misc staff salaries; merchandising licensing deals; sponsorships; stadium ticket sales; etc... For those leagues using Native American Influences in promoting their sport teams overall for decades in many instances. Such profits goes northward beyond the millions of dollars historically to potentially billions of U.S. dollars.

My abstract concept would break down those sports teams in the past and present with Native Cultural namesakes. In the past sports teams like the "North Dakota University" that bite the bullet and changed their athletic department name. They won't necessarily get off the hook as a retrospective consequence. Besides those sports teams to date continuing their long standing traditions with Indigenous cultural namesakes and representations. So those of the Past would be lumped into one camp and those of the Present into another consolidated camp at the negotiating table.

Next this is what I propose understanding Institutions in America of highest learning. Such as Universities are constantly attempting to stretch their overall capital dollars as a means of internal growth. That those of the Past University campuses that changed their Native American namesake. Provide partial scholarships and in campus employment opportunities to Indigenous students within their region of the country. Those University campuses such as the "Florida State University Seminoles" that continue to use Tribal names and representations. To provide prospective Indigenous students full paid scholarships and on campus employment opportunities.

For the Professional Sports Leagues the picture is slightly different instead of paying out directly in a settlement worth whatever amount. That they provide Block Grants directly to the tribal partners by the stipulated regions such as those 12 sectors used by the "Bureau of Indian Affairs" (Link). Which is the Federal government department of the Interior of the country since 1824. Using such a national grid map of sorts for those past or present sport league teams utilized or are utilizing a Tribal namesake and representation. These block grants are to be used by each of the 12 regions to develop and maintain reservation infrastructure. Such as housing stock, water / sewer, electrical power grid, roadways, tribal governmental buildings, schools, etc.... Also the block grants can promote cultural enrichment programs of learning within the reservations.

Now you must be thinking why don't the affected sports teams just drop their Indigenous cultural identities and be done with it. Well they could, but I hope the National tribes holds their feet to the fire for their past usage of such cultural likeness. Which obligates them nonetheless at the negotiating table to come at a truce. So those sport teams instead of ripping out their own sports legacy in terms of history by changing their identity. Can enter into the Present camp and for as long as they use the namesake and representation of Native Americans. They get the blessing of their regional tribes to continue as they were whilst providing an economic investment boon to the tribes in perpetuity.

Also, those University campuses and Professional Sports Teams that are given the blessing to continue such a Native likeness. Will offer additional benefits versus those of the Past camp of a negotiated settlement. For instance before the start of every game after the National Anthem is sung. A tribal elder or shaman is invited to give a blessing to the game for all to hear. Be it in English or in their own Indigenous language so as to bless the home team and the fans in general. At the team owners expense offer free standard stadium seating with beverage (non-alcoholic) / meal vouchers to the local regional tribes to attend. Including providing a free shuttle service from tribal lands to and from the stadium. Discounted prices can be offered for higher value seating as well in the stadium for those Indians willing to purchase them. That during half-time Native American's of a particular regional tribe are invited to perform native dances and ceremonies for the stadium fans. As an employment opportunity for tribal members not unlike those utilized in the tourist hospitality industry. This can be included in International exhibition games held abroad as well. What this does is shows how very much alive are our combined native cultures in America. Where before they have been often neglected as out of sight and out of mind in predominant standing in America.

However this concept goes one step further which is to give an Up or Down Vote to each of the 12 Tribal Regional areas in America. All the officially recognized and those Indigenous unrecognized tribal people within a region that have been vouched for by their officially recognized brethren. Will be asked to assemble together under a conference to conduct a straight simple majority "Up or Down Vote". For those collegiate campuses and professional sports leagues to whether keep or remove their team franchise namesake, logos, likeness, and mascots. If the tribes within the region asked for it to become removed than the settlement falls under the Past category. If they're allowed with the full blessing of the regional tribes to keep their Native namesake and likeness. Then the sports leagues and their affected sports team owners enter into the Present category or class of agreed to settlement.

If the Native Americans and "First Nations Culture" in Canada feel unjustly treated by particular sports teams. Then please exercise your grievances in a responsible manner that supports your combined people. Since the practice of Black Minstrels in America was put to an end a long time ago. If each of the localized regional Tribal cultures feels so strongly than choose which direction you should go as a negotiated settlement. Don't let easily off the hook those sports teams that obliged your request to change their team names and likeness. Since they did profit from it for decades and your tribes should see a benefit from it as well economically speaking.

Now I wonder what the "Fighting Irish" of "Notre Dame University" would have to think of Ireland and Irish Americans. If such an Indigenous Cultures settlement like the one I describe above did occur?

*List of Indigenous People Sports Team Mascots (Link)

* NY Times Blog Article Washington Redskins Dispute (Link) Dated Oct. 8th, 2013.