It’s your people and you care about your communities. That was the resounding feedback from Chiefs and Health Directors from across Canada after spending two days on Coast Salish Territory visiting the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and First Nations Health Council (FNHC). 

“You come into this office and it doesn’t feel like a government office. People are happy, it doesn’t feel like work. You have set a precedent,” said Lori Duncan, Health Director from the Council of Yukon Nations.

 

On October 19-20 the First Nations Health Council and First Nations Health Authority hosted a delegation of 25 Chiefs and health leads from 10 provinces and territories. The delegates comprised of the national Chiefs Committee on Health and health technicians network were in BC to learn more about our journey to self-determination in health and the development of a first of its kind health authority. 

“Anything worth doing is worth doing over elsewhere, I see that here.” remarked Peter Birney, senior health policy analyst with the Union of New Brunswick Indians “Whether it is the management of the business of health, fiscal matching, agreement management, or reinvesting funds.  And it’s all done with humility, you live it and you feel it. We will be referencing what you have accomplished in BC in the future work that we do.”

Over two days of presentation and interaction with our leadership, Chiefs and Health technicians learned about the political journey of consensus building, the establishment of the FNHA, early transformation of operations and regional work. The delegation also took part in an interactive tour of health benefits operations.

Rosanne Sark is from Lennox Island First Nation and serves as the Health Program Director for the Mi’kmaq confederacy of PEI, “You have these posters everywhere - vision, directives, values, and operating principles. After spending time with the staff you quickly realize they are not just posters, it’s truly a language and a philosophy. You can hear it in the voice of your staff, in the way that they describe the work that they do. This is no longer First Nations and Inuit Health Branch. Seeing the health authority now, we have a perspective. We can take away what will work in our region.”

The tour energized FNHA staff too. Nicole Cross, Northern Regional director shared, “It was such a privilege to share our work with leadership from across Canada. I’m reminded of the opportunity we have here in BC and how much progress we’ve made in the four short years since transfer.” 

Grand Chief Doug Kelly, Chair of the FNHC shared that healthy debate has been important to strengthen our governance and reminded the Chiefs that change is hard. “For me the most interesting part is working with ourselves as First Nations, working to establish healthy relationships. What a good problem to have - it’s our problem to solve together.” 

He added that change is not always easy or comfortable. “There are always forces for the status quo and forces for change.” What starts as a negative issue can become positive if it is dealt with appropriately.

“What I really liked is the consensus building process among the communities and the recognition that it doesn’t always start with agreement, but we hear concerns and keep working together,” said Ta’an Kwäch’än Deputy Chief Michelle Telep.

Governance Advisor Patrice Lacasse is supporting the Commission de la santé et des services sociaux des Premières Nations du Québec et du Labrador (First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission, who are considering their own transfer): “The philosophy regarding decisions, I call it good governance. It’s not compliance with the norms. You look at the person, the family and really consider it. You design a system and structure and model, it’s the way you live.”

FNHA Chief Executive Officer Joe Gallagher takes the job of sharing our story seriously. “When we were just starting to find our way, the tribes in Alaska, Portland, Hawaii and even Aoeteroa were incredibly generous with their story.” 

The FNHA prides itself on honouring the communities who shared their story to support the work of First Nations health in BC. The organization also recognizes that its part of our responsibility to share this information with others who are working towards the same goals.

“I just love the idea of First Nations control. What was interesting for me on this tour was the relationship building, back home we have a big issue with the territorial government. We have to be able to work with them. Set aside our colonial ways to move forward for the betterment of our children and families,” Roxanne Cook, Health and Social Development Secretariat Director, Dene Nation.

“I feel like these were the best two days in my life for a long time, comparable to hunting, hunting, gathering the information,” said Sophie Picard of the Huron-Wendat Nation. 

Sophie serves as Health Services Manager at the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission, an agency charged with supporting the transfer of social services to First Nations control. “Being here in your operations it felt very much like humans are serving humans. The vision and values are everywhere. It’s like your staff are looking in the mirror - how am I going to serve better.”

“Taking control is something Nova Scotia Chiefs want to do, so we’re going to do it. There is a lot of pride, support and perseverance. I noticed that just watching your staff, there is a great deal of commitment to this process. I just keep thinking, Oh wow, I never thought of that. That is one of the biggest things with First Nations people, is sharing information. We’ve been so colonized, that type of teaching and helping ourselves and helping each other has to be at every level,” shared Andrea Paul, Mi'kmaq-Maliseet Chief.

Amanda Meawasige is a Senior Health Policy Analyst at the Assembly of First Nations. She articulated that First Nations across Canada are in our corner. “I’ve been waiting for years to see how this plays out and have enjoyed seeing this at a bird’s eye view. There is a lot that FNIHB could be learning from you and how you are responding – all of us around this table we need you to succeed - to set the tone for a different future. “