Tripartite Partners Initial Basis for a Framework Agreement

On July 26th, 2010 the Tripartite Partners representing the Government of Canada, the BC First Nations Health Council, and the Government of BC initialled the agreement on First Nations Health that will set the stage and process for negotiations to transform how BC First Nations health is managed in British Columbia. The agreement – British Columbia Tripartite First Nations Health Plan: Basis for a Framework Agreement on Health Governance (the Basis Agreement), is a non-binding political agreement that sets out broad outlines for negotiations to develop a Legal Agreement on First Nations Health Governance. The negotiations process will create a BC First Nations Health Authority that will administer federal health services to First Nations in British Columbia and will lead to the development of a mandate to engage and negotiate with the Government of British Columbia and the Provincial and Regional Health Authorities.This important initialling ceremony occurred in Vancouver following a lunch, traditional prayers and songs. Senior Tripartite Partners from Health Canada, including the Minister of Health the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, British Columbia Assistant Deputy Minister Andrew Hazlewood (Population and Public Health – Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport), and representatives from the First Nations Health Council spoke to the agreement, as did prominent First Nations political leaders who were present to witness the historic occasion.

On July 29th, 2010 the First Nations Health Council appointed Grand Chief Doug Kelly as Chair of the First Nations Health Council and Warner Adam was appointed as Deputy Chair. Current Health Council members include:

North
• Warner Adam
• Chief Marjorie McRae
• TBD (north east)

Interior
• Chief Bernie Elkins
• Gwen Phillips
• Chief Ko’waintco Michel

Fraser
• Grand Chief Doug Kelly
• Chief Maureen Chapman
• Chief Willie Charlie

Vancouver Coastal
• Charles Nelson
• Ernest Armann
• Leonard Bob

Vancouver Island
• Cliff Atleo
• Shana Manson
• TBD


BACKGROUND

The March 2010 resolutions of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (2010-01) and the First Nations Summit (0310.03) formally resolve to ensure:

• “any final health governance agreement ratified by First Nations in BC must be developed through a community-driven and Nation-based process.”
• “call for presentation of the Basis for a Framework Agreement on Health Governance to First Nations, Tribal Councils, the UBCIC Chiefs Council, the First Nations Summit, and the BC Assembly of First Nations for a full review of the risks and benefits associated with this agreement.”
• “The newly appointed First Nations Health Council will oversee the health governance negotiations pursuant to the Basis for a Framework Agreement on Health Governance. The new First Nations Health Council will appoint a negotiation and support team, and continue to provide resources for a community engagement and ratification process.”

The First Nations Health Council was created following the signing of the ten-year Tripartite First Nations Health Plan in 2007 as one of four components of the health governance structure.

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