The First Nations Health Council
Mariah Charleson appointed as FNHC Chair
At its January 2026 Quarterly Meeting, the FNHC appointed Chief Mariah Charleson, one of the three Vancouver Island Region representatives, as chair for a three-year term. Chief Charleson is a member of the Hesquiaht First Nation, and was appointed as the Nuu-chah-nulth representative to the FNHC by Nuu-chah-nulth leaders.
Read more about Chief Charleson here.
Engagement Updates on FNHC Priorities
- The FNHC’s engagement in fall 2025 about evolving its structure and mandate focused on FNHC roles, duties, and the FNHC representatives’ dual role as FNHA Society Members. Spring 2026 engagement will focus on a discussion paper that will bring all engagement findings together and provide options for leadership to consider and discuss.
- Fall 2026 will focus on reviewing and validating engagement input on the discussion paper, to inform a draft Consensus Paper. Spring 2027 engagement will focus on the draft Consensus Paper leading up to a vote at Gathering Wisdom XIV in fall 2027. Visit link to learn more.
- Based on feedback from communities, the FNHC presented a draft Principles Document on future health-related legislation to Chiefs and leaders at Gathering Wisdom XIII. The FNHC is now using engagement sessions in fall 2025 and spring 2026 to seek formal endorsement of this Principles Document from Chiefs and leaders. The Principles serve as a resource for Nations and communities to define their role as equal partners for health-related legislative change. Read summary fact sheet here or the full Principles Document here.
Tahltan, Kaska, Taku River Tlingit Nations Sign Transformative Health Declaration
Representatives from the FNHC’s Northern Region—Ernie French-Downey, Bev Lambert and Tracey Woods—took part in a ceremony for the 3Nations Transformational Health Declaration.
Unceded territories of the Kwanlin Dün and Ta’an Kwäch’än | Whitehorse, Yukon Territory—The 3Nations Society (a partnership between the Tahltan, Kaska, and Taku River Tlingit Nations) First Nations Health Authority, First Nations Health Council Northern Region, Northern Health Authority, and the Ministry of Health, have signed the 3Nations Transformational Health Declaration.
Life of Keegan Combes remembered with artwork at Chilliwack General Hospital
The FNHC’s Fraser Salish representatives, Andrew Victor and Alisha Peters, were on hand to witness the unveiling of the artwork. They expressed gratitude for the opportunity to heal together and create a lasting legacy for the family and community, while renewing their own commitments to working with health system partners to provide fair, compassionate care and services for First Nations. Read the full story here.
Spring 2026 Caucus dates + registration
Vancouver Island – April 21-23, 2026 | Vancouver Island Regional Spring Caucus
North – May 5-7, 2026 | Info coming soon
Interior – May 12-14, 2026 | Interior Regional Spring Caucus
Vancouver Coastal – May 20-21, 2026 | Info coming soon
Fraser Salish – May 26-28, 2026 | Info coming soon
