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 is married, with a blended family of six adult children, he resides on the Soowahlie Indian Reserve located near Cultus Lake, BC.
He is a founding member, elected Tribal Chief, and Treasurer of the Stó:lô Tribal Council. Doug advocates for health, children & family services, fisheries, Aboriginal Title and Rights. In addition to being a regionally appointed member of the First Nations Heath Council, Kelly was appointed Chair in 2010. The First Nations Health Council is responsible to design and deliver a community-driven Governance Structure for First Nations Health 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. His leadership background includes: two years with the First Nations Summit Political Executive, 4 years as Treasurer for the Stó:lô Tribal Council, eight years as Soowahlie Chief, 2 years on the Stó:lô Nation Executive, and 2 years with the BC Treaty Commission. He also has 13 years in senior management positions. He worked for the First Nations Chiefs’ Health Committee, Stó:lô Nation, and Stó:lô Tribal Council. Doug led the development of Stó:lô Health Transfer, Stó:lô Child Welfare, and other programs including fisheries and economic development.
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.