Okanagan Nation Alliance hosted a two day health forum, October 4 & 5, 2011. Interior Health Authority, Aboriginal Health co-hosted and co-sponsored day two of the forum. Forum was attended by elders, youth, community, front line workers and leadership from the seven member bands and five urban Aboriginal organizations.
Nation members shared that they want their voices heard at the FNHC table, an increase in the sharing of information on the framework agreement and to ensure the process is transparent.
Grand Chief Doug Kelly, First Nation Health Council Chair presented on the FNHC Workplan that has been developed for regional review. The work plan sets out the next steps, milestones, timeframes, key decision points and responsibilities, and indicators for the implementation of Resolution 2011-01. The work plan is supposed to go to the Regional Caucuses will review and provide feedback by the end of the 2011 calendar year. (other information presented:Negotiations Summary and FAQ’s, FNHC Workplan Presentation )
In addition, Interior Regional Representative Chief Bernie Elkins and Mic Werstuik, Westbank First Nation Councillor and Health representative for ONA Chief’s Executive Council, were on a panel together. Chief Elkins spoke to the next steps for the Interior Region and Councillor Werstuik shared an update on his new role as ONA’s Health representative.
Yousuf Ali, Regional Director, FNIH, provided an overview of Next Steps in the Regional Health Transfer Process, what the framework agreement will do, the federal commitments in framework agreement, relationship between First Nations and Federal government, and the anticipated transition process. Representatives from the Wellness Committee, with support from Shawna Nevdoff, IHA and Deb Bourne, presented on the Letter of Understanding that is currently being drafted on the relationship between the Okanagan Nation Alliance, 7 member bands and Interior Health Authority.
The University of British Columbia – Okanagan did a presentation on the Community Research Agreement that has been developed between the Nation and UBCO. There has been increased interest from external groups as well as other Nations to share this agreement as it is the first of its kind. The ONA held workshops and presentations on Salmon Distribution, Syilx Early Childhood Development, R’Native Voice, Okanagan Nation Response Team, and Aboriginal Family Group Conferencing. Mary McCullough, FNHC Regional Liaison, presented on “What are Hubs?” and Jacki McPherson, FNHDA shared an update from the Inaugural Report. Shawna Nevdoff and Dion Bedard, from Interior Health, shared the main themes of the Aboriginal Health & Wellness Strategy and the Self ID project.
We would like to extend appreciation to all of the guest speakers from FNHC, Health Canada, UBCO, and IHA. In addition, to the leadership, staff, youth, elders and community members from the seven member bands, urban Aboriginal organizations, and to the Okanagan Youth Alliance.
Special thanks
to Interior Health Authority, Aboriginal Health for co-hosting and co-sponsoring day two of the forum as well as all of the organizations who provided information booths: Okanagan Aboriginal AIDS Society, IH Aboriginal Tobbaco Reduction, IH Patient Navigators, The Lung Association of BC: Quit Now, Valley West Dental, Roundlake Treatment Centre, Hospice Society, PIB Health, First Nations Health Council, and UBC Okanagan
For More Information Contact:
Vanessa Mitchell, Health Hub Coordinator vmitchell@syilx.org
