Interior 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.
Interior_Regional_Report | PDF Download |
Upcoming Meetings
Interior Nations Sign Unity Declaration
On February 23, 2011 the seven members of the Interior Governance Caucus signed the unity declaration created exactly a year ago. The declaration confirms the commitment of Interior Nations to continue to work together in a Nation to Nation model in the implementation of the Tripartite First Nations Health Plan.
Download the Declaration
Interior Caucus Meeting Summaries 2008-2010 | pdf download |
Interior Caucus Members
Chief Shane Gottfriedson, Chief Jonathan Kruger, Gwen Phillips, Chief Arthur Adolph, Chief Ko’waintco Michel, Chief Bernie Elkins, and Chief Geronimo Squinas
The Interior Governance Caucus has determined seven (7) members based on a nation-to-nation model; each member representing the distinct nations within the Interior Region. The Caucus has appointed Gwen Phillips, Chief Ko’waintco Michel, Chief Bernie Elkins to represent the interior region on the First Nations Health Council.
Chief Ko’waintco Michel
Ko’waintco (Shackelly) Michel is a Nla’kapamux (Thompson Tribe) woman born in Kamloops and raised in the Nooaitch community. She served 18 years in elected leadership positions and is presently the AFN Women’s Council co-chair and the Women’s Council representative for BC. She is married to Brian Michel and they have three grown children and one foster daughter.
She has vast experience in the political arena, including serving as BC Regional Chief from 1995 to 1998. She has also sat on various Boards and Committees, which has provided her with experience and understanding on a wide array of issues. She maintains an active traditional and cultural lifestyle.
Chief Bernie Elkins
Mr. Elkins has served as the elected as off-reserve Chief of ?Esdilagh (Alexandria) of Tsilhqot’in Nation since 2008. He is supported by his partner Lucy Mack from the Nuxalk Nation and their families. Mr Elkins takes pride in learning from his three daughters and passing on the traditional teachings of trapping, tanning moose hide, dry fish and deer meat, and genealogy come from his dad Bernard Elkins (Joe Elkins & Matilda LongJohnny) and mother Theresa Stump (Clarence Twan & Nellie Stump). Mr. Elkins was a foster parent between 1989-1993.
Mr. Elkins was Prosperity Director for the Tsilhqot’in National Government (TNG). In this role, Bernie and his team were instrumental in successfully overturning the proposed Prosperity mine project based on the negative impacts of the project on environmental and Tsilhqot’in rights. In 2010 Bernie acted as the TNG Chair for the and now holds the title of Vice Chair with an economic development portfolio. In 2009, Mr. Elkins finalized the Tsilhqot’in Framework Agreement (Strategic Engagement) with BC for protecting Tsilhqot’in rights beyond title lands.
In 2008, Mr. Elkins was nominated as one of three Interior Chiefs to represent the 7 Interior region nations (54 Bands) under the BC First Nations Health Council, to negotiate a significant agreement with Health Canada and BC Health Authorities.
From Thompson River’s University Bernie holds a diploma in Human Service Corrections and an Associate Degree in Business Administration. In addition, he holds certificates from Justice Institute of British Columbia in leadership and negotiations.
Mr. Elkins is a past board member of Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake.
Gwen Phillips
Gwen is a citizen of the Ktunaxa Nations and has worked for her Nation for the past twenty-seven years, primarily within the Social Sector, serving as both Director of Education and Director of Health. Gwen has extensive experience in relationship building and has both developed and instructed First Nations Studies courses at the College of the Rockies.
She worked with the College of the Rockies to establish the Nation Rebuilding: Planning for Indigenous Governance program. It is a distance education program designed to help First Nations build capacity to undertake for themselves, the planning and development required to successfully transition to self-government.
In her current role as Director of Corporate Services and Governance Transition, Gwen is responsible for guiding the Ktunaxa Nation’s transition to self-governance, based on their traditional values and principles.
Gwen’s formal training is in Business Administration development and she operates her own small business, as a community planner, facilitator/trainer, artist and curriculum developer.