First Nations Health Directors Stand with FNHA and FNHC to Improve Health Services for First Nations peoples in BC

2/4/2016

For Immediate Release

Coast Salish Territory – The First Nations Health Directors Association (FNHDA) would like to provide a formal response to our members on the 2015 Auditor General Report on First Nations Health Services. We stand in partnership with the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and First Nations Health Council (FNHC) supporting our collective work for better health services for First Nations peoples in BC.

There have been many positive changes in health services in BC First Nations communities since the creation of the FNHA and the transfer of federal health services. Together we have achieved service improvements, streamlined reporting requirements for our members, created a strong community voice in health services, improved responsiveness to needs, and enjoyed better reporting and tangible accountability to our communities. Issues with services are addressed in a timely and efficient manner.

A great example is the change in how FNHA deals with crisis. Our FNHA partner has proven time and time again that we are partners in health. Response to crises in our communities is treated with upmost priority and immediacy. We are accountable together, mutual reporting is streamlined and the burden no longer rests only with community Health Directors. In addition to strong corporate governance standards to which our organizations adhere, an important measure of accountability is showing up when called.

There is a long road ahead for this developmental journey of the First Nations Health Governance Structure and to fully bring to life our vision statement – Healthy, Self-Determining and Vibrant BC First Nations Children, Families, and Communities. We are on this path together, building and improving our First Nations Health Governance over our First Nations Health Services.

We acknowledge that we all have room for improvement but some criticism is unfounded and based on colonial and lateral violence that many First Nations communities experience too often. Our communities are here to stay and we will continue to move forward, working for better health services for our people in a good way.

We are now in the driver’s seat to own our decision-making – this is something we have envisioned for many years. The foundation of the FNHA, FNHC and FNHDA is strong and we stand together as partners, prepared to listen, learn and act for the benefit of First Nations communities in BC.

Download this statement in PDF format here (96 KB)