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Fraser Regional Report 2011-2012
On behalf of Fraser Health, we are pleased to present the Aboriginal
Health Year in Review Report 2011-2012. This year, the report has been
produced in partnership with the First Nations Health Authority. We
thank our team and our partners who have worked together to create
this report.
Fraser Health and First Nations leadership in the region are forging
stronger and more meaningful relationships. In December 2011, Fraser
Health became the first health authority in BC to sign a Partnership
Accord with the Fraser Salish Regional Caucus (FSRC). The Partnership
Accord strengthens and formalizes the relationship between Fraser
Health and the FSRC, and sets out how we will work together to
improve Aboriginal health services delivered within the Fraser region.
It marks a new era in collaboration between the health authority and
Aboriginal leaders to improve the health of Aboriginal people.
In May, we held the inaugural Aboriginal Health Steering Committee
Meeting, comprised of Fraser Health Senior Executive and FSRC Co-
Chairs. The creation of an Aboriginal Health Steering Committee,
inclusive of First Nations leadership, has been the first outcome of the
Partnership Accord, and reflects our new way of working as partners
with Aboriginal people in the region.
One of this year’s best examples of effective partnership was the
coordinated response to the pertussis outbreak in Fraser East. Fraser
Health partnered with First Nations health centres and First Nations
Inuit Health to respond swiftly and effectively to the outbreak with
immunization clinics and contact tracing. Pertussis vaccine coverage
was far higher among First Nations communities than the non-
Aboriginal population of the Fraser region, a testament to what we
can achieve when we work together.
We are proud that each year we continue progressing in partnership
towards the goal of achieving healthier communities, healthier
people, healthier families, and healthier Nations.
Sincerely,
Dr. Nigel Murray
President and Chief Executive Officer
Diane Miller
Executive Director, Primary Health Care & Aboriginal Health
View the full regional report here - 2011-12.pdf (3,988kb)
Fraser Regional Signing
December 13, 2011
VANCOUVER – Recognizing that First Nations must have more say in their own health, the Fraser Salish Nations and the Fraser Health Authority today signed a Partnership Accord aimed at making significant progress in improving the health of First Nations in the region.
This Partnership Accord is the first health agreement of its kind in the province - one between a regional health authority and one of the regional caucuses that have been formed by the First Nations Health Society to work with health partners to improve First Nations health.
The Accord allows for more shared decision-making between both parties and increased First Nations participation in decisions about health services for First Nations and other Aboriginal people in the Fraser region.
“This agreement signals an important change, and the way ahead for how health services will be delivered to First Nations not only in the Fraser Region, but throughout British Columbia. If health outcomes are to improve for First Nations in our province, then we must work in partnership to make progress,” said Grand Chief Doug Kelly of the Sto:lo Tribal Council.
The Accord was signed by Fraser Health and the Fraser Salish Regional Caucus, who provide political and technical leadership to the Salish Nations. The Caucus has representatives on the First Nation Health Council, a provincial body which is tasked with creating a First Nations Health Authority – the first of its kind in Canada - in collaboration with federal and provincial partners. (The First Nations Health Society is the business arm of the First Nations Health Council.)
“Fraser Health is committed to working collaboratively with the Fraser Salish Regional Caucus to improve Aboriginal health services delivered within the Fraser region. This partnership will assist First Nations communities in governing their own health initiatives to improve the lives and the health of the people in First Nations communities,” said Dr. Nigel Murray, president and chief executive officer of Fraser health.
One of the key commitments in the Partnership Accord is the establishment of an Aboriginal Health Steering Committee, which will serve as a forum for joint efforts on First Nations and Aboriginal health priorities, policies, budgets and services in the Fraser Region.
The Accord calls for improvements in service delivery through more collaboration between Fraser Health and First Nations Health Centres in the region, and work with community health leaders to develop more culturally appropriate health strategies.
“When we work together with mutual respect, guided by a plan that will specify initiatives and milestones, there is no doubt that we can see change in First Nations health outcomes in this region,” said Chief Maureen Chapman, representative for the Sto:lo Nation Chiefs Council.
There are 32 First Nations communities in the Fraser Salish region of various sizes, including small and isolated communities. The needs of the communities vary significantly, as does the capability of each community to engage with Fraser Health. The Accord specifies that no community should be forced into region-wide health strategies but that no community should be left behind.
“Our approach to health and well-being is, more than anything, community-based. First Nations and Aboriginal peoples have a good understanding of their health challenges and goals, and this partnership with Fraser Health will help us reach those goals sooner,” said Chief Willie Charlie, representative for the independent Fraser Salish communities.
The Partnership Accord builds on a number of provincial and regional documents, including the Tripartite First Nations Health Plan, signed by First Nations leaders, the Province of British Columbia and Health Canada in June of 2007. In addition to specifying a range of health actions, the Tripartite Plan also called for a new First Nations health governance structure in BC. The latter was achieved this year through the signing of an agreement that will see the design and delivery of health services for BC First Nations transferred from Health Canada to a First Nations Health Authority.
Fraser Health provides a wide range of integrated health services to the largest and fastest growing population in B.C. The health authority is committed to improving the health of the population and the quality of life of more than 1.6 million people living in communities from Burnaby to White Rock to Hope.
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A pdf copy of the Partnership Accord: PA_FHFNHC_Signed_Dec_12_2011.pdf
A backgrounder follows.
Background Documents:
The Transformative Change Accord: First Nations Health Plan (2006)
The Tripartite First Nations Health Plan (2007)
The Consensus Paper: British Columbia First Nations Perspectives on a new Health Governance Arrangement (2011)
British Columbia Tripartite Framework Agreement on First Nation Health Governance (2011)
For media inquiries, please contact:
Trevor Kehoe
Communications
First Nations Health Authority
604-831-4898
Fraser Health Media Pager
604-450-7881
http://www.fraserhealth.ca
Partnership Accord News Release | pdf download |
Partnership Accord Backgrounder | pdf download |
Fraser Regional Report
The First Nations Health Council (FNHC) launched a “Health Partnership Workbook” in January 2011, and made the Workbook available online and as the focus of a series of First Nations regional caucus sessions across the province. The Health Partnership Workbook summarized the discussions about health governance held at more than 100 First Nations regional caucus meetings over the past three years and asked First Nations Chiefs, leaders and senior health professionals in BC to confirm this summary of feedback gathered and share new thoughts and perspectives. The results will inform further discussions, negotiations and relationship building towards the establishment of a new health governance arrangement of First Nations health services in BC.
The feedback provided by First Nations through the regional caucus sessions and the Health Partnership Workbook has been rolled into 5 summary documents – one for each region in BC. The initial regional reports were provided to each region for review, discussion and further amendment in April 2011 and this revised version of the initial draft report was provided again to each region in May 2011.
Fraser Regional Report | PDF Download |
Fraser Region Health Council Members
Chief William Charlie Jr. “Chaquawet”
William Charlie, Jr. “Chaquawet” is a Coast Salish from the semi-isolated Chehalis (“Sts’ailes”) Indian Band, located about 100km east of Vancouver on the banks of the Harrison River. William is a dedicated family man. He is married to Anna Charlie (nee Leon), and they have 3 boys and three grandsons.
William was born and raised in Sts’ailes, a community of 1,000 members, about half of which live on-reserve. Growing up in the close-knit village of Sts’ailes, William was able to grasp onto the cultural teachings of his people and utilize these teachings. William’s gift and job for the Sts’ailes is to be a voice for our people. He is called upon from many communities and organizations throughout the Fraser Valley to be a voice for special ceremonies, gatherings or meetings. He is also a much sought after lecturer and consultant.
Chaquawet is the elected Chief and appointed CEO for the Chehalis Indian Band. The Chehalis Indian Band is a progressive, sovereign, independent government that is not in the treaty process and is striving for self sufficiency by utilizing the strengths of not only our human resources, but also the rich and vast resources in our traditional territory.
Chaquawet is presently the Chairperson for the Kwikwexwelhp Senate Advisory Committee, a group of independent leaders who oversee the operation of the Kwikwexwelhp Healing Village. He also sits on two BC First Nations Chiefs’ working groups: the First Nations Health Council and the Interim First Nations Child & Family Wellness Council. In September 2009, Chaquawet was elected Vice President of the Union of BC Chiefs (UBCIC).
William is also the co-owner of an award-winning family Aboriginal tourism business called Sasquatch Tours. Sasquatch Tours provides authentic First Nations cultural experiences which include guided river boat tours, First Nations cultural dance performances, drum making, and traditional medicines facilitation.
Chaquawet has been a band staff member and an elected Chehalis Council member for many years. He was instrumental in the re-structuring of the band organization to a director/management team structure. The Band has experienced tremendous growth and presently employs over 170 persons on-reserve. This growth is attributed to the continued guided leadership of the Chief and Council and the professional dedication of the Directors/Management Team and appointed working groups.
Grand Chief Doug Kelly
Grand Chief Doug Kelly, First Nations Health Council Chair,
A founding member, elected Tribal Chief, and President of the Stó:lō Tribal Council, Grand Chief Doug Kelly was appointed Chair of the First Nations Health Council in June 2010. The First Nations Health Council is responsible for overseeing the design of and transition to a new First Nations health governance structure as well as overseeing the delivery of health action items identified in the Tripartite First Nations Health Plan.
Grand Chief Doug Kelly has more than twenty-five years of leadership experience including four terms as Chief of Soowahlie, eight years as Tribal Chief & officer for the Stó:lō Tribal Council, and key leadership positions with the First Nations Summit Political Executive, founding Chair of the BC First Nations Fisheries Council, and the BC Treaty Commission.
Mr. Kelly has 13 years experience in senior management positions, including senior leadership roles with the First Nations Chiefs’ Health Committee, Stó:lō Nation, and Stó:lō Tribal Council. Doug also led the development of Stó:lō Health Transfer, Stó:lō Child Welfare, and other programs including fisheries and economic development.
Doug is married, with a blended family of six adult children; he resides on the Soowahlie Indian Reserve located near Cultus Lake, BC.
Chief Maureeen Chapman
Chief Maureen Chapman is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister and First Nations woman who was born in Clearwater, BC, in her maternal grandmother’s home. She was raised in Clearwater until age six years, when her family moved to her mother’s home community of Katzie. She attended Catholic day school in Maple Ridge for a number of years while living in Katzie, and then moved to the United States with her family. Before this move, Chief Chapman was in foster care for a few years and was fortunate enough to be placed in a caring and supportive environment.
Chief Chapman has eight brothers and originally five sisters (one deceased). Ms. Chapman is the hereditary Chief of Skawahlook First Nation, situated at Ruby Creek, between Agassiz and Hope, and belong to the Sto:lo Nation Chiefs Council (SNCC). Chief Chapman is the proud mother of one son and two grandsons, and one great-granddaughter who are a continuous reminder of the importance of the advocacy and decision-making processes I am involved in.
Chief Chapman’s educational background includes Social Work – diploma program at the University of the Fraser Valley; Aboriginal Adult Learners – teaching degree from Vancouver Community College; Communication and Technical Writing diploma program – Washington State Community College, Paso, WA; and a number of personal and career development courses/seminars/conferences.
Chief Chapman is an active member of numerous boards and councils, including; the Sto:lo Nation Chief’s Council, the Aboriginal Children and Family Chief’s Coalition, the First Nations Child and Family Wellness Council, the Sto:lo Development Corporation, Sto:lo Xwexwilmexw Treaty Association, the inaugural chair of the Assembly of First Nations Women’s Council, and others. Chief Chapman was selected to represent the Sto:lo Nation Chief’s Council as one of three Representatives from the Fraser Region on the First Nations Health Council. Aboriginal Annual Review 2011-12