The First Nations Health Directors Association recognizes the one year progress report from Dr. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond on work to implement recommendations from the In Plain Sight report.
The report confirmed what Health Directors know about the daily, lived experiences for First Nations people. Health Directors are the voice of the community, working to transform and decolonize the health care system in BC — an essential step to creating a health care experience free of racism for First Nations people.
We agree that more work is needed — and that we must re-commit and focus to make the difficult and much needed changes within the system. The FNHDA is committed to working with our pillar and Tripartite partners to offer technical advice on solutions that embed First Nations culture and traditions into health and wellness services — actions we know improves health outcomes for First Nations people. With our partners, the FNHDA shares a goal of health equity for First Nations in BC and a health system experience free from racism.
The work BC First Nation Health Directors is guided by 7 Standards of Excellence. Health Directors will continue to deliver health and wellness services that are closer to home and that affirm First Nations cultures, rights and identities. The work being completed in BC in regards to racism is more complex and long-term solutions will be a bumpy road as all of BC’s communities and institutions work towards achieving basic human rights and freedoms in all our institutions.
Since the In Plain Sight report was issued in November 2020, we have jointly developed with the FNHA and FNHC an Anti-Racism, Cultural Safety and Humility Framework and accompanying Action Plan to support the vision of a racism-free health care system. This Framework advances the ongoing work of Health Directors to embed cultural safety and humility in the system to improve health and wellness in First Nation communities.
About the First Nations Health Directors Association (FNHDA)
The FNHDA is one of four pillars of the BC First Nations Health Governance Structure in BC, along with its partners at the FNHA, the FNHC and the Tripartite Committee on First Nations Health including BC and Canada. The FNHDA was created in 2010 by and for Health Directors who manage a range of programs and services in First Nation communities in BC. The FNHDA is building a better health system from the ground up by providing technical advice and support to help shape the future of First Nations health services in BC. More information about FNHDA is available here.