The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) is the first and only provincial First Nations Health Authority in Canada. Dedicated to transforming health services for First Nations and Aboriginal people in BC, the FNHA is improving the health of communities by advancing the quality of health care delivered to BC First Nations and Aboriginal people.
At
the time of this writing FNHA is nine days away from assuming all of
the roles and responsibilities of the First Nation Inuit Health Branch
(FNINB) of Health Canada: BC Region on 01 October 2013. Along with this
awe-inspiring accomplishment, FNHA is taking on the majority of the
staff from FNINB to ensure the complex work of health continues
unabated.
For people in other Provinces and Territories, take note that this did not happen easily or in a short time. This process started in 2005 before the Kelowna Accord was quashed by (the then newly elected Prime Minister), Stephen Harper in 2006. Eight years of dedication by First Nations political and social champions along with a solid team of people moving the process forward slowly, but steadily, day after day to reach the milestone noted – not the end point, but more accurately the beginning of the new era in First Nations Health.
This milestone could not have been reached without the cooperation and assistance of the First Nation Inuit Health Branch (FNINB) of Health Canada: BC Region, and the Minister of Health in Ottawa.
In BC, First Nations people can (and do) express their health concerns to their Health Directors, health leads, Community Health Representatives, and Community Health Nurses, information that is forwarded to FNHA to take into serious consideration for improving services throughout the province.
When was the last time any provincial or Federal Health department or Ministry asked for YOUR input as to how to improve YOUR health, and listened long enough to seriously consider YOUR opinion?
This is one of the basic tenants of FNHA – for all health to be community-driven and nation-based in order to increase First Nations decision-making and control while improving services while fostering meaningful collaboration and health partnerships. The FNHA looks to develop human and economic capacity within the First Nations populations while being without prejudice to First Nations interests such as treaties, and land claims, all while functioning at a high operational standard so that First Nations no longer receive second class health care.
If these sounds like lofty goals, take into consideration that they are so worthwhile that at the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, 45th AGA (September 11th – 13th, 2013) there was a Draft Resolution (no. 2013-43) that was tabled that call upon the First Nations social organizations including BC Aboriginal Child Care Society, Caring for First Nations Children Society, Federation of Aboriginal Foster Parents, First Nations Child and Family Wellness Council, First Nations Directors Forum, First Nations Education Steering Committee, First Nations Human Resources and Labour Council, First Nations Social Development Society, and First Nations Technology Council, to work with the First Nations Health Council to develop a social determinants of health strategy consistent with the Seven Directives noted above.
Congratulations to all involved in achieving this health milestone for First Nations populations in BC.
For people in other Provinces and Territories, take note that this did not happen easily or in a short time. This process started in 2005 before the Kelowna Accord was quashed by (the then newly elected Prime Minister), Stephen Harper in 2006. Eight years of dedication by First Nations political and social champions along with a solid team of people moving the process forward slowly, but steadily, day after day to reach the milestone noted – not the end point, but more accurately the beginning of the new era in First Nations Health.
This milestone could not have been reached without the cooperation and assistance of the First Nation Inuit Health Branch (FNINB) of Health Canada: BC Region, and the Minister of Health in Ottawa.
In BC, First Nations people can (and do) express their health concerns to their Health Directors, health leads, Community Health Representatives, and Community Health Nurses, information that is forwarded to FNHA to take into serious consideration for improving services throughout the province.
When was the last time any provincial or Federal Health department or Ministry asked for YOUR input as to how to improve YOUR health, and listened long enough to seriously consider YOUR opinion?
This is one of the basic tenants of FNHA – for all health to be community-driven and nation-based in order to increase First Nations decision-making and control while improving services while fostering meaningful collaboration and health partnerships. The FNHA looks to develop human and economic capacity within the First Nations populations while being without prejudice to First Nations interests such as treaties, and land claims, all while functioning at a high operational standard so that First Nations no longer receive second class health care.
If these sounds like lofty goals, take into consideration that they are so worthwhile that at the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, 45th AGA (September 11th – 13th, 2013) there was a Draft Resolution (no. 2013-43) that was tabled that call upon the First Nations social organizations including BC Aboriginal Child Care Society, Caring for First Nations Children Society, Federation of Aboriginal Foster Parents, First Nations Child and Family Wellness Council, First Nations Directors Forum, First Nations Education Steering Committee, First Nations Human Resources and Labour Council, First Nations Social Development Society, and First Nations Technology Council, to work with the First Nations Health Council to develop a social determinants of health strategy consistent with the Seven Directives noted above.
Congratulations to all involved in achieving this health milestone for First Nations populations in BC.
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