The First Nations Health Council was created in February 2007 to implement the Tripartite First Nations Health Plan on behalf of BC First Nations.
BC First Nations Health Council History
The First Nations Health Council was created in February 2007 to implement the Tripartite First Nations Health Plan on behalf of BC First Nations. FNHC TIMELINE | image |
Political Background
Transformative Change Accord: On November 25, 2005, the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC), Province of British Columbia (BC) and Government of Canada (Canada) signed the Transformative Change Accord, committing the parties to: establishing a new relationship based on mutual respect and recognition; reconciling Aboriginal title and rights with those of the Crown; and closing the social and economic gap between First Nations and other British Columbians, in the areas of relationships, education, health, housing and infrastructure, and economic opportunities. The Transformative Change Accord calls upon the Parties to negotiate a 10-year implementation strategy.
The Transformative Change Accord: First Nations Health Plan was released on November 27, 2006 by the FNLC and BC This ten-year Plan includes twenty-nine action items in the following four areas: Governance, Relationships and Accountability; Health Promotion/Disease and Injury Prevention; Health Services; and Performance Tracking. Download TCA: First Nations Health Plan.
First Nations Health Plan Memorandum of Understanding: Although Canada was not part of the Transformative Change Accord: First Nations Health Plan, it was interested in negotiating a tripartite plan and demonstrating support for the efforts between First Nations and BC. To this end, a First Nations Health Plan Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the FNLC, Canada and BC on November 27,2006. This MoU includes the same sections and action items as the Transformative Change Accord: First Nations Health Plan, proposes a number of new action items, and required the Parties to develop a Tripartite Health Plan by May 27, 2007. Download the First Nations Health Plan Memorandum of Understanding
Tripartite First Nation Health Plan: A new ten-year Tripartite First Nations Health Plan was signed by the FNLC, Canada, and BC on June 11, 2007. This plan builds on the Transformative Change: First Nations Health Plan and includes an agreement by the parties to create and implement a new structure for the governance of First Nations health services in BC. Download the Tripartite First Nations Health Plan
First Nations Health Council: A key action item referenced in each of these health plans is the establishment of a BC First Nations Health Council, composed of representatives of the First Nations political organizations in BC. This Health Council has been formed, is supported by BC First Nations, and is mandated with: serving as the advocacy voice of BC First Nations in achieving their health priorities and objectives; conducting health-related policy analysis and research; participating in policy and program planning processes related to First Nations health; and providing leadership in the implementation of the First Nations Health Plan Memorandum of Understanding, the Transformative Change Accord; First Nations Health Plan, and the Tripartite First Health Plan.
Timeline of Events
- March 2005 - Leadership Accord signed between First Nations Summit (FNS), Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), BC Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN)
- June 2005 - First Nations Blueprint for British Columbia developed by the Leadership Council
- November 2005 - New Relationship signed between Health Canada, Province OF BC, and the Leadership Council Members of FNS, UBCIC, BCAFN
- November 2006 - First Nations Leadership Council and the Government of Canada and the Province of BC signed the First Nations Health Plan Memorandum of Understanding in support of the bilateral Transformative Change Accord: First Nations Health Plan that recommends the establishment of a First Nations Health Council
- January 2007 - Resolution passed by the UBCIC supporting the Transformative Change Accord: First Nations Health Plan and First Nations Health Plan Memorandum of Understanding
- January 2007 - Resolution passed by the UBCIC to create a Social Development Committee to participate in the establishment of the First Nations Health Council
- February 2007 - Creation of the First Nations Health Council by consensus at a meeting of the UBCIC, FNS, BCAFN
- March 2007 - Resolution was passed by the FNS supporting the Transformative Change Accord: First Nations Health Plan and First Nations Health Plan Memorandum of Understanding
- April 2007 - As recommended by the FNHC, Dr. Evan Adams was hired as Aboriginal Health Physician Advisor within the Ministry of Health Services
- April 2007 - FNHC held the 1st Annual Gathering Wisdoms Forum: a dialogue with First Nations in BC on the Tripartite First Nations Plan
- June 2007 - Tripartite First Nations Health Plan signed by the First Nations Leadership Council, Canada, and BC
- July 2007 - FNHC Terms of Reference developed and passed by Resolution by FNS, BCAFN
- September 2007 - First meeting of First Nations Health Advisory Committee
- December 2007 - FNHC reached agreement with Canada and the Province on the Initial Tripartite Work Plan
- February 2008 - Resolution passed by UBCIC to select Co-Chair(s) appointments for representation on the FNHC Interim Health Governance Committee
- March 2008 - First Nations Summit Chiefs in Assembly dissolved the First Nations Chiefs’ Health Committee with all staff and resources being assumed by the First Nations Health Council
- March 2008 - Meeting between FNIHGC Co-Chairs and Health Canada-ADM (FNIH), MOH-ADM to discuss moving forward on the health governance
- May 2008 - FNHC held the Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey - 2nd Annual Forum
- May 2008 - Initial 2-day scoping session on Health Governance with Canada and BC
- June 2008 – BCAFN resolution supporting the First Nations Interim Health Governance Committee appointments, and community engagement.
- July 2008 - Meeting with newly appointed Hon. Mary Polak, Minister of Healthy Living and Sport of BC Government
- September 2008 - Second meeting of Provincial Advisory Committee on First Nations Health (formerly- First Nations Health Advisory Committee)
- September 2008 - Second meeting of Provincial Advisory Committee on First Nations Health (formerly- First Nations Health Advisory Committee)
- March 2009 - FN Health Society is enacted as the business entity of the First Nations Health Council
- April 1st, 2009- First day of business as the FN Health Society