The history of successful community-operated health services in kahnawake, quebec.

Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre (KMHC) provides well-integrated and high-quality acute care and preventive health services for the Mohawk Community of Kahnawake, Quebec, with its population of 5409 persons (1985). Since 1955, the hospital centre has been administered and largely staffed by the community. This article describes the history of the development of health services, discusses why this venture has been so successful, and acknowledges some of the problems. It is hoped that our experiences will benefit, first, other Native communities that are interested in gaining control of their own health services and, secondly, non-Indian staff who provide professional care.