FNHC: Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey 2018 – Save The Date Invitation

November 30th, 2017

Dear BC First Nations Chiefs and Leaders,

The First Nations Health Council (FNHC) is pleased to invite Chiefs and Leaders to Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey IX, taking place May 15-17, 2018 at the Westin Bayshore on Coast Salish Territory in Vancouver.

This unique forum is the largest First Nations health and wellness forum in BC and the only one of its kind in Canada.  Since its inception, the Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey forums have set the stage for BC First Nations to design a more accessible and culturally appropriate system of health care in BC.

As we continue our collective journey in health transformation, this year’s Gathering Wisdom forum will provide an opportunity for Chiefs, Leaders, Health Leads and Social Leads to set direction on a long-term approach for addressing the social determinants of First Nations health in BC.

This Gathering Wisdom forum will feature discussions on health and the social determinants of health. It is an opportunity for First Nations to engage in direct dialogue with each other and federal, provincial and health system partners on factors that influence the health and wellness of their children, families and communities.

A key feature of the Gathering Wisdom forum this year will be a leadership discussion on a ten-year social determinants of health strategy. Throughout the past year, the FNHC has engaged First Nations leaders, health leads and social leads at Sub-Regional Caucuses, Nation Assemblies and Regional Caucuses to develop a direction for the social determinants of health work. Informed by ongoing discussions, Chiefs will be asked to make a decision on the direction of this work.

WHO’S INVITED

The First Nations Health Council is pleased to invite three (3) representatives from each BC First Nations community:

• One Political Lead (eg. Chief or Proxy Designate with Chief’s Approval)
• One Health Lead (eg. Health Director, Community Health Representative or Health Portfolio Holder)
• One Social Lead with expertise in health and/or social services (eg. Social Development Worker, Social Program Director, Children and Family Worker)

Important note: It is up to each community to choose how they want to participate in the Gathering Wisdom forum this year within the three affiliations described above. Due to the nature and focus for this year, the participation of political representatives from each community is encouraged by the FNHC.

TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT

FNHC will reimburse travel and accommodation expenses for the above-mentioned three representatives from each BC First Nations community.

Attendees are responsible for arranging their own travel and accommodation to/from the forum.

TO REGISTER

Registration will be opened mid-January 2018.

We kindly ask that delegates register before the deadline on Friday, April 27, 2018 at 5:00pm to confirm your seat!

Please note: pre-registration is mandatory to attend the forum. After this date, attendance cannot be guaranteed due to space constraints, and accommodation may not be available at the forum’s hotel venue.

For more information: email [email protected]

NT5