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 were made to the First Nations Interim Health Governance Committee:
First Nations Interim Health Governance Committee
The Committee Co-Chairs were:
- Grand Chief Doug Kelly, First Nations Summit
- Beverly Clifton-Percival, BC Assembly of First Nations
- Kukp7i Wayne Christian, Union of BC Indian Chiefs
The Committee members within each region were:
- 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
Restructuring the First Nations Health Council
Resolutions from both the Union of BC Indian Chiefs - Chiefs Council (March 17 & 18th, 2010) and the First Nations Summit (March 24, 2010) called for the First Nations Health Council to transition from its current makeup (appointed representatives from the UBCIC, FNS & BC-AFN) to one that is comprised of three representatives each from the five regional caucuses (Fraser, Interior, Vancouver Coastal, Northern & Vancouver Island) to create a new 15-member First Nations Health Council. The new First Nations Health Council structure is inclusive of the FNIHGC members and provides a direct reporting and accountability link to individual regions and Nations for the next phase of this governance work. This revised First Nations Health Council is an interim organization that will oversee the negotiations of a Framework Agreement for a two-year period. Appointments to the new First Nations Health Council occurred through regionally determined processes.