​Unceded territories of the Kwanlin Dün and Ta'an Kwäch'än | Whitehorse, Yukon Territory - The 3Nations Society—a partnership between the Tahltan, Kaska, and Taku River Tlingit Nations - First Nations Health Authority, First Nations Health Council Northern Region, Northern Health Authority, and the Ministry of Health, have signed the 3Nations Transformational Health Declaration.

The 3Nations Society is a community-led collaboration mandated to address shared priorities, including health. Its collective territory spans 24 percent of B.C. and includes the communities of Atlin, Lower Post, Good Hope Lake, Dease Lake, Telegraph Creek, Iskut, and Fort Ware.

In 2024, an extensive environmental scan identifying health system barriers and significant gaps in health services across its collective territories. These findings prompted a community-driven approach to regional health and wellness planning, including the establishment of the 3Nations Wholistic Health and Wellness Task Force, comprised of health directors and frontline workers from each of the seven 3Nations communities.

In September 2025, the 3Nations Board of Directors and the First Nations Health Authority signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), formalizing a shared commitment to transform health service delivery, recruit and retain health workers in the region, establish a 3Nations Health and Wellness Agreement, and secure long-term resources to support implementation. The MOU provides essential context and a clear roadmap for collaborative planning across jurisdictions.

By signing the 3Nations Transformational Health Declaration, the Parties, in alignment with the 3Nations shared vision, will work together to transform and enhance health and wellness services to reflect 3Nations' identity and ways of being throughout the 3Nations collective territories. Some of the key goals of the partnership declaration include:

• Develop a 3Nations Transformative Health Agreement
• Improve and enhance health, healing, and wellbeing services for all members
• Increase access to high quality, culturally-safe virtual, mobile, and in-person service delivery
• Support health system transformation that reflects the Nations' and other Indigenous worldviews, values and priorities
• Create three 'Implementation Tables' to have oversight of the Health and Wellness Plan ​
  

​​Quot​es:

3Nations Society Tahl​​tan

“The 3Nations–FNHA MOU is a call to action—bringing together health authorities, governments, and jurisdictions to work as true partners in delivering innovative and accessible health services across our collective northern territories. Guided by the 3Nations Vision, we are transforming health and wellness services to reflect who we are, how we live, and the future we are building together. This Declaration commits us to community-centered, culturally grounded, and action-driven approaches that uplift wholistic health and wellness for our people," said President Kerry Carlick, Tahltan Central Government.

“This Declaration represents a powerful step toward health and wellness systems that are grounded in our cultures, our communities, and our ways of being. By working together as 3Nations, we are strengthening our collective voice and creating a healthier future for our people across our territories," said Chief Marie Quock, Iskut Band.

Kaska​​​​

“For Kaska, health transformation is about working together in real partnership — across Nations, governments, and health systems — to create care that reflects our lands, our cultures, and our ways of life. This work calls on all of us to share responsibility, listen to communities, and take action so health and wellness services truly meet the realities of the North and support our people now and for generations to come," said Chief Myles Manygreyhorses, Dease River First Nation.  

“True partnership means more than collaboration — it means shared accountability and shared outcomes. As Kaska leaders, we are committed to working alongside partners to redesign health systems, so they are culturally grounded, community-driven, and responsive to the realities of northern life," said Councillor Catherine Porter, Daylu Dena Council.

Taku River Tlingit​​​​​

“The Taku River Tlingit First Nation has collaborated with the Kaska and Tahltan for decades through the 3Nations Society. Our extensive experience has prepared us well to drive meaningful positive change in our healthcare system. This transformative shift requires commitments from all levels of government that are invested in building healthier communities based on our Haa Kusteeyi, or “our way of life." It's crucial that we unite to implement and enhance our healthcare system, ensuring it aligns with our cultural values," said Spokesperson Charmaine Thom, Taku River Tlingit First Nation.​

First N​​ations Health Authority

“FNHA is a proud ​health and wellness partner to the 3Nations Society and we look forward to working together with the Tahltan, Kaska and Taku River Tlingit First Nations and our other health system partners to improve timely access to culturally safe health and wellness services across their collective territory in ways that are Nation-led and community-driven," said Monica McAlduff, Chief Executive Officer of the FNHA.​

First N​​ations Health Council

“The First Nations Health Council (FNHC) acknowle​​dges the commitment of the 3Nations, the First Nations Health Authority and its partners to develop a 3Nations Transformative Health Agreement," said Chief Mariah Charleson, Chair of the FNHC. “The territories of the Tahltan, Kaska, and Taku River Tlingit are the largest in the Northern region, where issues of providing health and wellness services to rural and remote communities are keenly felt. We honour the work of the 3Nations to bring health care closer to home for their communities – the focus of the FNHC's 10-Year Strategy on the Social Determinants of Health."​

Ministry of Hea​lth

 “This declaration is an important step forward​​ in supporting First Nations-led approaches to health and wellness," said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “When Nations lead the planning and delivery of care, the result is services that are more responsive, culturally safe and grounded in community priorities. Our government is committed to working in true partnership with the Tahltan, Kaska and Taku River Tlingit Nations to improve health outcomes across their territories."​

Northern Health Authority​​

“Northern Healt​h is committed to this shared work in joint planning, innovative service models, and new ways of working together. We will continue to listen, learn, and walk alongside the 3Nations to support changes in the health system that reflect their identities, values, and ways of being," said Ciro Panessa, President and CEO, Northern Health Authority​

Northern Health is fully committed to the Implementation Tables and the deep collab​​oration needed to carry this forward," said Nicole Cross, Vice-President, Indigenous Health. “We look forward to listening, learning, and working together to build a future where access to high-quality, culturally safe care is a reality for all 3Nations members and citizens, wherever they live across these vast territories."

Quick​ Facts:​

• 3Nations Society is a collaborative, community-led partnership between the Tahltan, Kaska, and Taku River Tlingit Nations, which has been mandated to address collective priorities with urgency, which includes health and wellness services.
• The collective territory of the 3 Nations covers 24% of the province and includes the communities of Taku River Tlingit (Atlin), Daylu Dena Council (Lower Post), Dease River First Nation (Good Hope Lake), Dease Lake, Telegraph Creek, Iskut First Nation, and Kwadacha (Fort Ware), British Columbia.​
  

Learn More:​

• To learn more about the 3Nations Society please visit: 3nations.org/our-story/
• The Declaration follows the MOU signing between the 3Nations Society and the FNHA, in September 2025.