Coast Salish Territory | Today, the First Nations Health Council (FNHC) held a planning meeting for executive elections in response to the resignation of its former chair, Charlene Belleau, on July 20. Ms. Belleau resigned from the FNHC to join the BC Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation as a First Nation liaison specific to the BC residential school response fund. The Council congratulates Ms. Belleau for taking on this newly-created and important role with the BC provincial government, and offer thanks for her contributions to the Council over many years of service.

The FNHC’s deputy chair, Les Doiron, of the Nuu-chah-nulth family on Vancouver Island, will serve as interim chair until the appropriate election is held on September 2 when the Council representatives determine who will serve as the Council’s next chair. The FNHC is regionally-driven by a 15-person Council with three elected representatives from each region in BC.

About the First Nations Health Council (FNHC) The FNHC is one of four pillars of the First Nations Health Governance Structure in BC, along with its partners at the FNHA, the FNHDA and the Tripartite Committee on First Nations Health including the BC and federal government. Its advocacy journey began in the early 2000s, including the 2007 signing of the Transformative Change Accord to address health disparities between First Nations and other BC. The FNHC’s mandate is to oversee transformation of the health system, make progress on the Social Determinants for Health and advocate for First Nations decision-making in health and wellness. The FNHC provides political leadership for implementation of Tripartite commitments and supports the health priorities for BC First Nations. For more information, visit FNHC.ca.