3Nations and FNHA Forge Agreement to Enhance Health Services

Indigenous communities in northwestern British Columbia are set to benefit from improved health care access following a new agreement between the 3Nations Society and the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA). The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed in Vancouver on September 19, 2023, solidifying a commitment to enhance health service delivery within the territories of the Tahltan, Kaska, and Taku River Tlingit Nations.

The agreement lays out a comprehensive plan to recruit and retain health professionals in the region, establish a 3Nations Health and Wellness Agreement, and secure long-term resources necessary for its implementation. An annual report will be produced to monitor progress, with specific focus on comparing life expectancy between First Nations and non-Indigenous populations.

Kerry Carlick, president of the Tahltan Central Government, expressed optimism about the partnership. “I am eager for our future collaboration with FNHA and other health system stakeholders to revolutionize healthcare access for individuals in the 3 Nations collective territories,” she stated during the signing ceremony.

FNHA CEO Monica McAlduff emphasized that the MOU reinforces the authority’s commitment to Nation-led and community-driven methods for improving access to timely and culturally safe health services. The 3Nations Society is a community-led initiative focused on addressing shared priorities, including health, across a collective territory that encompasses 24 percent of British Columbia.

For the Taku River Tlingit First Nation, the MOU also represents a significant step toward resolving longstanding jurisdictional challenges that have hindered effective health care delivery. Spokesperson Charmaine Thom pointed out that overlapping health systems between British Columbia and Yukon have created barriers to care access. “It is a good first step to addressing inequalities that we experience in primary care, mental health, and mobile/virtual access to healthcare providers and their related services,” she remarked.

Strengthening Community Wellness Initiatives

The MOU aligns with the 10-Year Strategy on the Social Determinants of Health, which aims to tackle the root causes of health disparities while strengthening wellness for First Nations individuals, families, and communities. Deputy Chief Harlan Schilling of the Daylu Dena Council noted the importance of cultural context in achieving genuine wellness. “Our Nations have always known that true wellness is rooted in our lands, languages, and ways of life,” he asserted.

“This MOU is a step forward to reclaiming our responsibility to care for our people in a way that reflects who we are. By working together as Nations and partners, we strengthen our sovereignty, our voices, and our ability to shape a health system that serves our communities with dignity, respect, and cultural integrity.”

As this partnership unfolds, the 3Nations Society and the FNHA aim to not only improve health care access but also to empower Indigenous communities in northwestern British Columbia to take charge of their health and wellness in a manner that honors their unique cultural identities.