The 15 member First Nations Health Council (FNHC) provides political leadership in the implementation of the First Nations Health Plan. The FNHC was established in 2007 by the First Nations Summit, Union of BC Indian Chiefs and Assembly of First Nations.
Between 2008 and 2010 BC First Nations developed 5 Regional Health Caucuses, comprised of leadership and health technicians from each of BC’s 201 First Nations. The development of Caucuses and the call for a more direct community appointment process lead the FNHC to transition regional representation in 2010.
Today, each of the 5 Regional Health Caucuses appoints three representatives to the First Nations Health Council, through their own regionally determined process.
Current Health Council Members include:
North
• Warner Adam
• Charles Morven
• Tammy Watson
Interior
• Chief Bernie Elkins
• Gwen Phillips
• Chief Ko’waintco Michel
Fraser
• Grand Chief Doug Kelly
• Chief Willie Charlie
• Chief Maureen Chapman
Vancouver Coastal
• Georgina Flamand
• Ernest Armann
• Leah George-Wilson
Vancouver Island
• Cliff Atleo
• Chief Michael Harry
• Nick Chowdhury
The FNHC will be guided by the following principles (from FNHC Terms of Reference 2010-2012):
- The FNHC believes in the principle that all planning, activities, and review of progress will be community mandated, regionally coordinated, and nationally supported;
- The cultural values, beliefs and practices of all First Nations in British Columbia will be acknowledged and respected;
- No one will be left behind, and the FNHC will strive to be inclusive of all First Nations;
- Strong partnerships with communities, governments and service providers are critical to the achievement of health actions identified in the TFNHP;
- Solutions and strategies must be based on a holistic definition of health from a First Nations perspective;
- First Nations jurisdiction and health agreements entered into by First Nations will not be infringed upon;
- Reciprocal accountability is fundamental to the work going forward;
- The FNHC will be transparent and open in all its relationships and activities;
- Health services must be made available to all First Nations in BC, home or away; and
- The Councillors will serve as objective advocates on behalf of all First Nations in British Columbia, regardless of where they live.