The Health Council is one of four governing structures outlined in the Tripartite First Nations Health Plan. 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. On March 17th, 2010 the Union of BC Indian Chiefs passed a resolution 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. Current Members include:
North
• Warner Adam
• Chief Margery McRae
• TBD (north east)
Interior
• Chief Bernie Elkins
• Gwen Phillips
• Chief Ko’waintco Michel
Fraser
• Grand Chief Doug Kelly
• Chief Maureen Chapman
• Chief Willie Charlie
Vancouver Coastal
• Charles Nelson
• Ernest Armann
• Leonard Bob
Vancouver Island
• Cliff Atleo
• Shanna Manson
• TBD
The role of the Health Council is to:
• serve as the advocacy voice for First Nations on health-related matters;
• to support all First Nations in achieving their health priorities, objectives and initiatives;
• to participate in federal and provincial government health policy and planning processes; and
• to provide leadership in the implementation of the plan.
(from the Transformative Change Accord- Tripartite First Nations Health Plan)