Greetings.
My name is Colleen Erickson, and I am Dakelh from the Nak'azdli, which is in the north region. I am also honoured to serve as the chair of the board of the First Nations Health Authority.
I would like to start by acknowledging the territory from which I call in this morning, the land of the Squamish, the Musqueam and the Tsleil-Waututh. I would like to thank the people who have endeared themselves to this land since time began for allowing us to conduct this business in their territory.
I'd also like to acknowledge the chair and the members of the standing committee. Thank you for the opportunity to be a witness in the study of the administration and accessibility of indigenous peoples to the non-insured health benefits program.
The First Nations Health Authority—the FNHA—is a health and wellness partner to over 150,000 first nations people and 203 first nations communities across B.C. Alongside our governance partners, the First Nations Health Council and the First Nations Health Directors Association, we work together towards our shared vision of healthy, self-determining and vibrant B.C. first nations children, families and communities.
In 2013, the FNHA entered into a historic agreement with Health Canada to assume responsibility for delivering health benefits. During the following five years, the FNHA established new partnerships and engaged extensively with communities to redesign the benefits plan. The new wellness-centred plan focuses on removing barriers to accessing care while supporting our most vulnerable clients. The plan reflects the needs and the priorities of first nations in B.C. and supports self-determination.
Historic mistreatment of first nations people in Canada has resulted in generations of trauma, racism and unequal access to health care services. While status first nations people across Canada have access to basic health benefits, we believe that the policies and funding levels perpetuate health inequities. These challenges are further exacerbated by anti-indigenous racism that exists in the health system.
Part of our goal was to eliminate health disparities, and I will now invite our chief executive officer, Richard Jock, to speak about the changes we have implemented to our benefits plan as a result of our extensive community consultations and where we are going next in our transformation journey.
Thank you.