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In her concluding remarks, ms. Schwartz discussed
the importance of each of the partners, their
motivation to try, and their willingness to take risks,
noting that none of the efforts would be successful
if the communications did not continue. In the
spirit of committing to listen and learn together, she
thanked participants for their participation at the
2 nd Annual Forum.
FIRST NATIONS HEALTH PLAN
- GOVERNANCE
Grand Chief Ed John
First Nations Health Council Governance
Subcommittee
“The Tripartite First Nations Health Plan is
an integrated, interrelated, and coordinated
approach to dealing with a range of First Nations
health issues.”
Grand Chief John acknowledged the Coast
Salish for allowing the 2nd Annual Forum to occur
on their territory, and noted the importance of
always acknowledging the people whose ancestral
lands meetings were held on.
Grand Chief John shared that the work in the
communities was vital, and recalled the signing
of the Tripartite First Nations Health Plan the
year prior, which brought First Nations, federal
and provincial governments together on a willing
basis, to address serious health issues in the 203
First Nations communities within British Columbia.
What made this possible in British Columbia was
the cooperation of the Union of British Columbia
Indian Chiefs, the First Nations Summit and the
BC Assembly of First Nations who were all driven
and mandated to begin to do something about the
many significant health issues that continued to
exist for First Nations in British Columbia.
Grand Chief John discussed a First Nation community
in British Columbia where approximately
60% of the housing was affected by serious mould
infestation (Category #1) noting that with that
many houses and people impacted there would be
serious health considerations. He noted that Canada,
British Columbia and First Nations had signed
a memorandum of Understanding on housing and
are committing to work together to address health
issues, including ensuring that good, affordable,
and safe housing was available.
It was shared that on June 11, 2008 another
milestone would be reached relative to the legacy
of the Indian Residential Schools: a First Nations
Summit meeting would be one of many venues
where Chiefs could come together and listen
to the Prime minister of Canada make a nation
wide apology. Grand Chief John acknowledged
Chief Charlene Belleau for her work on the
Indian Residential Schools file, and recognized
the leadership of the Alkali Lake community in
addressing the impacts of residential schools.
It was further shared that the Chiefs in British
Columbia had led the charge in the area of
residential schools, having gathered in the early
1980s to ask for an independent inquiry into
what happened in the Indian Residential Schools.
It was not until much later that the Government
of Canada and the churches came to the table
as a result of litigation on behalf of residential
school survivors in Port Alberni, to establish that
Canada and the churches had legal liability for the
damages and abuses that took place. Grand Chief
John continued with a note that the First Nations
Leadership Council had met the prior week to
discuss creating a dialogue on residential schools
as had been done in Australia. He cautioned that
communities needed to be prepared in the event
that the Prime minister’s June 11, 2008 address
“triggered” survivors.
In health, housing, residential schools, fisheries,
forestry and justice, Grand Chief John advised
that there were extensive plans discussed for a
coordinated approach and strategy. He shared
that on September 13, 2007, the United Nations
voted to adopt the Declaration on the Rights
of Indigenous Peoples; the articles of which
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SECONd ANNUAl FORUm