FAIR SHARES FOR THE ZONE: ALLOCATING HEALTH‐CARE RESOURCES FOR THE NATIVE POPULATIONS OF THE SIOUX LOOKOUT ZONE, NORTHERN ONTARIO

The purpose of this paper is to explore issues of healthcare resource allocation for a Canadian native population, that of Sioux Lookout Zone, within the context of the total provincial population. We argue that a fair share of provincial health resources for any population must be based on a population needs approach. The paper begins by establishing a method to measure a fair share of healthcare resources. It goes on to establish why a fair share is important in the light of native health conditions in general and with respect to this specific population. The fair share is then calculated and illustrated with reference to particular health‐care programs. Finally, there is discussion of the methodological and policy issues that arise from this research.