When you look at data on First Nations do you see yourself in the numbers or are they just numbers?. If someone were to tell you that status First Nations live 7 years less than other British Columbians can you relate to that? First Nations are a group that has been researched more so than any other but the majority of the research does not actually help us feel better, provide us with better services or give us an idea if what we are doing is working.
The Health Council is working to address the gaps between the quanity of research being conducted and the quality of the results being reported. The negotation of a Tripartite Data Quality and Information Sharing Agreement, for example, will improve the ways that information is being shared between federal, provincial and First Nations governments. The completion of the second Regional Health Survey in BC will provide us with accurate, First Nations-driven data. Data that is collected respectfully and analyzed with context.