In January of 2008, to advance the work of creating a new BC First Nations Governing Body the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, the BC First Nations Summit and the BC Assembly of BC First Nations appointed Chief Wayne Christian (UBCIC), Grand Chief Edward John (FNS), and Grand Chief Doug Kelly (BCAFN) to serve as co-chairs on the newly formed BC First Nations Interim Health Governance Committee (FNIHGC). FNIHGC Terms of Reference | pdf download |
At the Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey Forum 2008 participants supported the BC First Nations Interim Health Governance Committee (FNIHGC) Co-Chairs to engage in a dialogue on issues of health governance with each of the 203 BC First Nation communities, and particularly with each Chief and Senior Health Lead from each First Nation community. This engagement work was also supported unanimously through formal resolution at the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (200825), the BC First Nations Summit (#0608.22), and the BC Assembly of BC First Nations (292008). Specifically, the resolutions supported the delivery of Regional Caucus Sessions to be held over a six week period from October through to November 2008 within the North, Interior, Fraser, Vancouver Coastal, and Vancouver Island regions.
The purpose of these sessions was to inform BC First Nations of the governance provisions of the TCA: FNHP and the TFNHP, and to gain information, support, advice, and direction on the development of a BC First Nations Health Governing Body. In recognition of the unique health issues and concerns faced in each region of the province, a second objective of the regional sessions was to form Regional Caucuses on Health Governance and to appoint a regional representative from each caucus to champion this work on behalf of their regions. The Committee Co-Chairs felt that Regional Caucuses were best positioned to identify critical issues, gather information, and help prepare a mandate for this project.
As a result of the caucuses and the several follow up meetings the following regional appointments have been made to the First Nations Interim Health Governance Committee:
First Nations Interim Health Governance Committee
The Committee Co-Chairs are:
- Grand Chief Doug Kelly, First Nations Summit
- Beverly Clifton-Percival, BC Assembly of First Nations
- Chief Bob Chamberlin, Union of BC Indian Chiefs
The Committee members within each region are:
- North: Chief Willard Wilson, Chief Margery McRae, Warner Adam, Feddie Louie, Anne Sam, Doris Ronnenberg, and Justa Monk
- Interior: Chief Shane Gottfriedson, Chief Jonathan Kruger, Gwen Phillips, Chief Darrell Bob, Chief Ko’waintco Michel, Chief Bernie Elkins, Chief Geronimo Squinas
- Fraser: Chief Willie Charlie, Chief Maureen Chapman and Councilor June Quipp
- Vancouver Coastal: Charles Nelson, Ernest Armann and Leonard Bob
- Vancouver Island: Cliff Atleo, Chief Russ Chipps, Chief Bob Chamberlin, and Jennifer Williams