Since June 2010, it has been my honour to serve as Chair of the First Nations Health Council (FNHC). I am pleased to announce I was just re-elected for another term. BC Chiefs challenged the FNHC to negotiate a tripartite agreement that resulted in improved services, secured long-term funding, and improved health outcomes.
We met that challenge and in 2011 – BC Chiefs renewed our mandate and tasked us to provide leadership, oversee transformation of the health system, make progress on the social determinants of health, and to be advocates. In 2012, BC Chiefs gave us direction upon the structure of the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA). We worked with the FNHA CEO as members and appointed the FNHA board of directors and supported the building of the FNHA.
Six years ago, we began to transition away from Health Canada to the FNHA. As we wrap up the work on Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) transfer, we will complete transition. Our focus is now on transformation of the health system, making progress on the social determinants of health, and advocacy.