posted January 30th, 2012
First Nations Health Directors Association Training Session 2012: March 7-9
FNHDA training and networking event for full-members is happening March 7-9 in Osoyoos at the Nk’Mip Conference Centre.
posted January 20th, 2012
First Nations Health Directors Association Update
Happy New Year from the FNHDA! Wishing you all the best in 2012.
FNHDA Provincial Regional Training Session Save the date! March 7-9, 2012
The FNHDA Board has decided to host one FNHDA training session in a region due to the many caucus and regional meetings planned before March. In the spirit of unity we look forward to bringing all of the Health Directors together for training, networking, and fun! The location is to be confirmed and we will be in touch with registration information soon.
FNHDA Board Vice President
After Laurette Bloomquist’s retirement in September 2011, the Board voted at their November 18, 2011 meeting to elect a new vice president. Congratulations to Jacki McPherson for being selected as the new vice president of the FNHDA Board.
As one of the Association’s founding members, Jacki McPherson’s First Nations health experience and knowledge is an asset to the continued connection of the FNHDA to the communities that Health Directors serve. Jacki is from the Okanagan Nation and she manages health services for the Osoyoos Indian Band – a progressive community where the leadership supports the health and well-being of the community.
FNHDA Board Welcome
Welcome to three new FNHDA Board Members: Kim Brooks (Vancouver Coastal Region), Lauren Brown (Northwest Region) and Keith Marshall (Vancouver Coastal Region).
Kim Brooks is a member of the Taku River Tlingit First Nation. She was born on the lower mainland and was raised in Vancouver, Whitehorse and Atlin, BC. She completed her post-secondary education at Simon Fraser University. Kim has worked within Federal, Provincial and First Nations government and is honoured to currently be serving as the Department Head of Yúustway Health Services of Squamish Nation.
Lauren Brown is from the Haida Nation and graduated with a BSN in 1998 from UBC. She has been working towards improving Aboriginal Health and has held positions which have helped her towards achieving this goal. Working in various provincial based organizations in Vancouver (Chiefs Health Committee, Healing Our Spirit, Patient Advocacy in Women’s and Children’s Hospital & St. Paul’s Hospital); Lauren gained experience in policy and program development, teaching, and liaising with government. Lauren decided to move to her northern, remote and isolated community where she is realizing that the greatest impact is working with her own people in her own community as the Health Director. Although very challenging, working at the community level has been fulfilling. 
Keith is an experienced professional with over 30 years of experience working with federal, provincial and private organizations in managerial and senior administrative positions with these organizations. Keith possesses a Bachelors of Education, Bachelors and Masters of Social Work and a Masters in Public Administration from Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Currently Keith is the Director of Community Health Programs for the Hailika’as Heiltsuk Health Centre in Bella Bella, BC.
FNHDA Board Farewell
Doreen L’Hirondelle has accepted a position in Edmonton, Alberta and has therefore resigned from the First Nations Health Directors Association board as the Northeast representative. As one of the Association’s trail blazers, Doreen’s experience and wisdom will be missed. Congratulations to Doreen on her new position. We wish you much success, health and happiness on this new journey.
The FNHDA Board will hold nominations to fill the position for the Northeast. Stay tuned.
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JUST ANNOUNCED: FNHDA Annual General Meeting Sept 21 & 22, 2011
The First Nations Health Directors Association is hosting its Annual General Meeting on September 21 and 22, 2011 in Vancouver, BC.
The AGM will be held in downtown Vancouver followed by a one day training session (topics to be confirmed). The evening of the 21st we will host a ceremony to Honour the work of our Health Workers.
Registration is available on the First Nations Health Council website (www.fnhc.ca), please be sure to register if you are certain you will attend this event so we may plan accordingly.
Thanks and we look forward to seeing you there!
For more information please
FNHDA_membership_form_JAN_2012_v3.pdf
Background
For decades, First Nations Health Directors in BC have been working to develop a common voice. The Tripartite First Nations Health Plan calls for “An association of health directors and other health professionals will create and implement a comprehensive capacity development plan for the management and delivery of community-based services and support First Nations and their mandated health organizations in training, program development and knowledge transfer.”
-From the Tripartite First Nations Health Plan
HEALTH DIRECTORS FORM ASSOCIATION
FNHDA Introduction Letter and Background | pdf download |
Health Directors Registration Form | pdf download |
Health Directors Association Constitution and Bylaws | pdf download |
BC First Nations Health Directors have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the development of a First Nations Health Directors Association. 91 health directors cast their ballots November 5th at the Gathering Wisdom Forum, 79 in favour of the Association and 12 opposed. NEWS RELEASE Health Directors Form Association | pdf download |
Gathering Wisdom III
{ November 5th, 2009 - Day 3 - HEALTH DIRECTORS }
The third day of the 2009 Gathering Wisdom Forum was dedicated to First Nations Health Directors. In September of 2008, Health Directors held a two-day forum to begin dialogue towards the development of a First Nations Health Directors Association, one of four governance components in the Tripartite First Nations Health Plan. This Forum laid the groundwork for a Health Directors survey administered this spring. The feedback from both the forum and the survey led to the development of a draft structure for the Association. Discussions during Day 3 included:
• An update on work of the AFN toward the development of a National Health Directors Association.
• A presentation from the First Nations Health Directors Subcommittee on both the 2008 BC Health Directors Forum and the Health Directors survey results
• Presentation of a proposed model for a BC First Nations Health Directors Association
• Professional development workshops on eHealth, Strategic Planning, Community Best Practices, and Freedom of Information.
Presentations
First Nations Health Managers Association
Health Directions Association - What will it look like?
Health_Directors Association Survey Results
Strategic Planning Workshop
Strategic Planning Guide
Health Directors Survey Results 2009 | pdf download |
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A First Nations Health Directors Association is one four elements of the future health governance structure for BC First Nations.
Health Directors Forum 2008
The Health Council hosted a two day First Nations Health Directors Forum September 31- October 1st 2008 at the Coast Hotel. At the Forum, Health Directors held discussions towards establishing the Roles & Responsibilities, and Membership & Governing Structure of the association. The 121 health directors in attendance, also spent time strategizing on Human Resource Development, NIHB, Policy and Elder Care.
DOCUMENTS
2008 Health Directors Forum Summary Report | pdf download |
Health Directors Forum 2008 Agenda
Presentations
Forum Background (Louisa Willie & Lauren Brown)
Health Canada Presentation: Accreditation
Day One Facilitators Summary
Health Directors Association Next Steps
Advocacy Workshop on Disease
Evan Adams Keynote
In June 2008, the Health Council put out a general call to establish a planning committee for this forum. A committee was established representing health directors from a mix of rural, remote, transferred and integrated First Nations. The committee consisted of: Aileen Prince (Nak’azdli), Lauren Brown (Skidegate), Kim Brooks (Squamish), Laura Jameson (Little Shuswap), Carolyne Neufeld (Seabird Island), Louisa Willie (Heiltsuk), Shelley Henderson (KDC), Laurette Bloomquist (Sliammon), and Leyla Johnny (Tl’etinqox-T’in). The committee held a number of meetings over the summer and set the direction for this forum.
Feedback from previous discussions with health directors indicates that The role of the Association may include:
• Provide support to Health Directors
• Standardize training for Health Directors
• Maintaining competencies for Health Professionals
• Knowledge, credentials and standards such as cultural competencies
• Code of ethics
• Information and Knowledge Sharing
• Opportunity to share resources and technology
• Collective Strength
• Recruitment/Retention
• Political avenue to inform leadership
• Agents of change
• Provides for a collective voice
• Creating a new relationship and working together to develop new relationships with Provincial and Federal Government
The governing structure of the Association may include:
• Elected board from membership
• Formal legal entity
• Open to all First Nations Health Directors
• Non-Profit
• Grassroots membership