Three Nations Sign Health Declaration to Transform Services

The Tahltan, Kaska, and Taku River Tlingit Nations have signed a pivotal health declaration aimed at transforming health and wellness services across their territories. Officially titled the 3Nations Transformational Health Declaration, the agreement was signed on February 5, 2024, in Whitehorse. It establishes a community-led and culturally grounded approach to healthcare, ensuring that services reflect the unique needs and values of the Indigenous peoples involved.

The declaration formalizes a partnership involving the 3Nations Society, the First Nations Health Authority, the First Nations Health Council Northern Region, the Northern Health Authority, and the Ministry of Health. This collaborative effort follows a memorandum of understanding from 2025, which outlined a framework for regional health transformation and long-term resource commitments.

Addressing Service Gaps and Priorities

The initiative stems from a comprehensive environmental scan conducted in 2024, which identified significant service gaps and barriers to access across the three Nations’ collective territory, covering 24 percent of British Columbia. In response, the Nations formed the Wholistic Health and Wellness Task Force, comprising health directors and frontline workers from seven communities: Atlin, Lower Post, Good Hope Lake, Dease Lake, Telegraph Creek, Iskut, and Fort Ware.

The declaration highlights five key priorities for the partnership. These include the creation of a formal 3Nations Transformative Health Agreement, the strengthening of health and wellness services for all community members, and the expansion of access to culturally safe care through virtual, mobile, and in-person options. The agreement also aims to align health system changes with Indigenous values and worldviews, establishing three Implementation Tables to oversee the development of a regional Health and Wellness Plan.

According to Kerry Carlick, president of the Tahltan Central Government, “Guided by the 3Nations Vision, we are transforming health and wellness services to reflect who we are, how we live, and the future we are building together.” This sentiment underscores the commitment to a health system that prioritizes Indigenous perspectives and community-driven solutions.

Support from Health Authorities

The Ministry of Health has characterized the declaration as “an important step forward.” Minister Josie Osborne noted, “When Nations lead the planning and delivery of care, the result is services that are more responsive, culturally safe, and grounded in community priorities.” This echoes a growing recognition of the importance of Indigenous leadership in health service delivery.

Support for this transformative effort extends to the Northern Health Authority as well. Nicole Cross, vice-president of Indigenous Health, stated, “Northern Health is fully committed to the Implementation Tables and the deep collaboration needed to carry this forward.” This commitment signifies a collective resolve to address health disparities faced by Indigenous communities.

The 3Nations Society is a community-led partnership focused on addressing shared priorities with urgency, including health and wellness. The leadership emphasizes that this declaration signifies a shift towards health systems designed and directed by the Nations themselves. Minister Osborne reiterated this commitment, saying, “Our government is committed to working in true partnership with the Tahltan, Kaska, and Taku River Tlingit Nations to improve health outcomes across their territories.”

This declaration marks a significant milestone in the journey toward equitable health services for Indigenous communities in northern British Columbia, setting the stage for a more responsive and culturally appropriate healthcare system.