The First Nations Health Council is one of four governing structures outlined in the Tripartite First Nations Health Plan.
The mandate of the Health Council is to: (from FNHC Terms of Reference 2010-2012):
- Serve as the advocacy voice of BC First Nations on health related matters;
- Support BC First Nations in achieving their health priorities, objectives and initiatives;
- Participate in Federal and Provincial government health policy and program planning process;
- Provide leadership in the implementation of the Transformative Change Accord: First Nations Health Plan, the First Nations Health Plan Memorandum of Understanding, and the Tripartite First Nations Health Plan (TFNHP); and,
- Provide direction and oversight for the health governance negotiations process pursuant to the British Columbia Tripartite First Nations Health Plan: Basis for a Framework Agreement on Health Governance;
Current Health Council Members include:
North
• Warner Adam
• Chief Marjorie McRae
• Laura Webb
Interior
• Chief Bernie Elkins
• Gwen Phillips
• Chief Ko’waintco Michel
Fraser
• Grand Chief Doug Kelly
• Chief Willie Charlie
• Chief Maureen Chapman
Vancouver Coastal
• Charles Nelson
• Ernest Armann
• Leah George-Wilson
Vancouver Island
• Cliff Atleo
• Shana Manson
• James Wilson
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.
Background
From 2007-2010 the Health Council was comprised of representatives appointed by the First Nations Summit, and the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, and the BC Assembly of First Nations. In earl7 2010 the Union of BC Indian Chiefs and First Nations Summit passed resolutions calling for the 7 member politically appointed First Nations Health Council to transition from its current makeup (politically appointed representatives from the UBCIC, FNS & BC-AFN) to one that is comprised of regional representatives.
The resolutions required that each region (Fraser, Interior, Vancouver Coastal, North, & Vancouver Island) appoint three representatives to a new 15-member First Nations Health Council. The new council structure will be in place for two years and is inclusive of the First Nations Interim Health Governance Committee.
This new First Nations Health Council structure will provide a more direct reporting and accountability link to individual regions and Nations. This restructured First Nations Health Council is an interim organization that will build on the current basis agreement and oversee the negotiations of a Framework Agreement. The new First Nations Health Council is an interim body and will operate for a two-year period. Appointments to the new First Nations Health Council are ongoing through regionally determined processes.