FAQs

The final report states, “The 10-year Strategy represents a whole-of-government approach to accelerate progress on the social determinants of health with the collaborative goal of restoring the wellness that First Nations enjoyed prior to colonialism” (p.9). Chiefs, leaders and communities have directed the First Nations Health Council (FNHC) to use this Strategy to guide efforts to transform the health system and realize the shared vision of healthy, self-determining, vibrant First Nations children, families and communities. It builds on the good work of the 2018 Memorandum of Understanding (link below) by expanding the social determinants approach to include four priorities as the basis of future agreements: (1) healing approaches; (2) cultural infrastructure; (3) Nation-based governance; and (4) financial sustainability:

• Memorandum of Understanding: Tripartite Partnership to Improve Mental Health and Wellness Services and Achieve Progress on the Determinants of Health and Wellness (MoU-Tripartite-Partnership-to-Improve-Mental-Health-and-Wellness-Services-and-Achieve-Progress-on-the-SDOH.pdf (fnhc.ca)).

The FNHC recognizes that some Chiefs and leaders did not endorse the 10-Year Strategy and remains committed to creating a space for direct conversations to address concerns and answer questions. To arrange a meeting at your convenience, please reach out to the FNHC-FNHDA Shared Secretariat team at sharedsecretariat@fnha.ca.

The 10-Year Strategy stipulates that an implementation plan be created “during the first year after adoption of this Consensus Paper” (page 10). The target date that has been set for a first full DRAFT implementation plan is spring 2024. This topic will be addressed further during upcoming discussions along the formal FNHC Engagement and Approval Pathway.

As per Resolution #2023-01, the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) is working to develop an implementation plan that specifies: expected timelines; milestones; key decision points that are consistent with the 7 Directives and the principle of ‘Reciprocal Accountability’; an approach to reporting and communication; and engagement priorities and principles that align with the commitments in the 10-Year Strategy on the Social Determinants of Health. Chiefs, leaders and communities will have the opportunity to provide feedback and input into this plan during upcoming engagement discussions.

The overall 10-Year Strategy implementation plan sets the stage for important work on the ground. Locally, the Strategy can guide the design and implementation of ‘Community-Driven, Nation-Based’ health and wellness plans based on regional priorities and preferences, which may involve building upon existing plans and / or creating new plans.

The FNHC is in the process of re-establishing tripartite governance structures with BC and Canada to advance the work of the 10-Year Strategy, with the ultimate goal of supporting BC First Nations in establishing their own government-to-government relationships with BC and Canada. Participation of BC and Canada will build upon their shared vision and commitments as articulated in existing health plans and agreements, including outstanding commitments in the Transformative Change Accord (2005).

The Canada Funding Agreement 2023/24 – 2032/33 (CFA) with the FNHA in BC is signed (see here). It is a flexible legal agreement that sets out the terms for the FNHA’s funding with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and provides ten years of dedicated funding to advance community and regional level work within FNHA’s central service functions. Through the renewal process, the negotiations team secured: $50M over ten years for the Social Determinants of Health work. Effective January 2024, the funding envelope for the 10-Year Strategy includes $5M/year for ten years from Canada, $5M/year for ten years from the FNHA and an initial $5M from BC with work continuing with provincial partners to secure further funding. In keeping with Resolution #2023-01, the FNHC remains committed to advocating for long-term funding commitments from both Canada and BC to create a flexible funding envelope that First Nations in BC can receive as a direct transfer payment for the implementation of their ‘Community-Driven, Nation-Based’ mental health and wellness service plans.

For further information or support, please contact the FNHC-FNHDA Shared Secretariat team at sharedsecretariat@fnha.ca.