Advancing the 10-Year Strategy

Over the past quarter, the First Nations Health Council (FNHC) continued to work with provincial and federal partners to strengthen commitments under the Tripartite Framework Agreement (TFA) and advance implementation of the 10-Year Strategy on the Social Determinants of Health.

Highlights include:

• Meetings between FNHC leadership and BC Minister of Health Josie Osborne, who committed to attending a TFA Political Principals meeting and advocating for long-term mental health and addictions funding.
• Letters sent to Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier David Eby urging continued support for tripartite health partnership commitments.
• Discussions with federal Parliamentary Secretaries to build awareness and support for FNHC and FNHA work on the Social Determinants of Health.
• Advocacy for regular tripartite political meetings and clearer timelines to follow through on commitments in the TFA.
• A TFA Political Principals meeting between FNHC/FNHA/FNHDA, Minister of Indigenous Services Canada and BC Minister of Health took place on June 25, 2026, to support coordinated action on shared health commitments.
• A meeting with the Indigenous Services Canada Deputy Minister, following the TFA Political Principals meeting, to discuss federal priorities and alignment with the 10-Year Strategy on the Social Determinants of Health.
• A briefing note provided to Member of Parliament Gord Johns to help advance First Nations federal health priorities in Ottawa.

Supporting Nation-Based Health Transformation

FNHC leadership participated in the 3Nations Transformational Health Summit alongside the Tahltan, Kaska, and Taku River Tlingit Nations in support of their self-determined health transformation work.

The FNHC Chair, Mariah Charleson and the Kwakwaka’wakw Family (Vancouver Island Region) FNHC representative, Chief John Powell, also met with ’Na̱mgis First Nation to better understand community health and wellness priorities and identify ways the FNHC can best provide support. During the visit, they toured the Nation’s newly opened ‘Namgis Wellness Centre, which is grounded in First Nations culture, healing, and community wellness.

Collaboration Across the Health Governance Structure

FNHC provided updates to the Boards of the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and First Nations Health Directors Association (FNHDA), including:

• Partnership engagement with BC and Canada
• Spring 2026 Regional Caucus planning
• Ongoing discussions regarding the evolution of FNHC’s structure and mandate
• Regional endorsement processes for the First Nations Principles for Health-Related Legislation

First Nations Principles for Health-Related Legislation

A major milestone was reached this spring as Chiefs and leaders in all five regions endorsed the FNHC Principles Document to guide future health-related legislation.

The endorsed document will now serve as a tool for First Nations and FNHC representatives when engaging in discussions about future provincial and federal health legislation.

Welcoming Tammie Myles and Ernest Armann to the FNHC

We are pleased to welcome Tammie Myles from Stz’uminus First Nation, Vancouver Island Region, and Ernest Armann from Northern St’át’imc Nation in Lillooet, Interior Region.

Tammie, a former Vice Chair of the FNHA Board of Directors, with a Master’s degree in leadership and training, and a career rooted in First Nations governance, health, education, and reconciliation.

Ernest currently serves as Chair of the Interior Regional Nation Executive, where he continues to advocate for collaborative leadership, meaningful community engagement, and the advancement of First Nations priorities across the region.

We’re glad to have both at the table.

Save The Dates for Fall Caucus