A New Approach for Tripartite Investment in First Nation Mental Health and Wellness

For Immediate Release

COAST SALISH TERRITORY, Vancouver, B. C.

Building
on the progress of the tripartite health initiative, the Government of
Canada, the Province of British Columbia and the First Nations Health
Council (FNHC) have agreed to take significant steps to improve First
Nation mental health wellness outcomes in BC.

First
Nations in BC have identified mental health and wellness as a top
priority. Through discussions on the social determinants of health and
wellness led by the FNHC, BC First Nations have been consistent in their
calls for immediate action to improve mental health and wellness
services and supports.

The Government of Canada, the
Province of British Columbia and the FNHC will establish a new approach
for federal and provincial investment in mental health and wellness
services. This new funding approach will allow First Nations to plan,
design and deliver a continuum of community-based mental health and
wellness services based on their health plans and priorities. Through
this new approach, the partners aim to simplify the process for First
Nations to access funding for mental health and wellness services by
pooling federal and provincial funding and establishing new and more
flexible funding arrangements that focus on outcomes. The partners are
committed to facilitating greater cross-government collaboration to
enhance the coordination of mental health and wellness services accessed
by First Nation children, youth and families in BC.

As
part of this new agreement, Canada, BC and the First Nations Health
Authority (FNHA) will each invest $10 million over two years for a total
funding commitment of $30 million. This initial investment will support
a series of demonstration sites that support enhanced service delivery
models for mental health and wellness. In addition, this initial
investment will support First Nation communities and Nations in BC to
develop, renew or redesign mental health and wellness plans in a manner
that aligns with their vision of health and wellness. These plans will
focus on prevention and enhancing protective factors associated with
positive mental health and wellness outcomes.

Canada
and BC recognize the need to build, repair, renovate and expand a
number of Indigenous treatment centres in BC. This aligns with the
Province of British Columbia’s commitment to transform the mental health
and addictions system of care to ensure a seamless, integrated, and
comprehensive experience where all British Columbians, including
Indigenous Peoples, can access effective culturally safe services and

supports.
Canada, BC, the FNHC and the FNHA are committed to working together as
partners in the Tripartite Framework Agreement on First Nation Health
Governance (2011) to develop a tripartite plan to address these
objectives. This plan will be presented at the next meeting of the
Tripartite Committee on First Nations Health in September 2018.

Today’s
announcement was made at Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey IX, a
forum hosted by the FNHC on Coast Salish Territory in Vancouver that
brings together First Nations from across BC to engage in direct
dialogue with each other and federal, provincial and health system
partners on factors that influence the health and wellness of their
children, families and communities.

Quotes

"Mental
health and wellness is a priority shared by all partners, and I am
pleased to see this commitment announced today between the Government of
Canada, the Province of BC, and the First Nations Health Council.
Providing greater flexibility and focusing more on health outcomes, this
tripartite commitment will allow First Nation communities in BC to
better develop, renew or redesign plans and services in a manner that
aligns with their vision of health and wellness."

The Honourable Jane Philpott, M. D., P. C., M. P.

Minister of Indigenous Services

"These
investments and the priorities they address are the result of the
engagement we have done with our regional and sub-regional caucuses,"
said Grand Chief Doug Kelly, chair of the First Nations Health Council.
"They’ve told us that untreated trauma and mental health and substance
use issues are perpetuating the physical, psychological and economic
disparities suffered by our people. By making these investments today,
we are building the foundation of our shared vision of healthy,
self-determining and vibrant First Nation children, families and
communities."

Grand Chief Doug Kelly

Chair of the First Nations Health Council

"Our
ministry is working in close partnership with the First Nations Health
Council and First Nations Health Authority to strengthen and expand the
First Nation community response for mental health and addictions
programs and services," said Judy Darcy,

Minister
of Mental Health and Addictions. "This investment demonstrates our
commitment to work alongside First Nation communities, and our
commitment to reconciliation through action and healing."

The Honourable Judy Darcy

Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, British Columbia

Quick Facts

• The
  Government of Canada, the Province of BC and First Nations in BC have
  established a broad and enduring health partnership that is set out in a
  series of health plans and agreements, including the Tripartite First
  Nations Health Plan (2007), the Tripartite Framework Agreement on First
  Nation Health Governance (2011) and the Health Partnership Accord
  (2012). Through these health plans and agreements, Canada, BC and BC
  First Nations have established a new health governance structure and
  relationship that supports the tripartite partners to achieve their
  shared vision for a better, more responsive and integrated health system
  for First Nations in BC.

• The
  First Nations Health Council is a political advocacy body appointed by
  BC First Nations to support First Nations in achieving their health
  priorities and objectives and to provide oversight to the First Nations
  Health Authority. For more information about the First Nations Health
  Council visit www.fnhc.ca.

• The
  First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) is responsible for planning,
  management, service delivery and funding of health programs, in
  partnership with First Nations communities in BC. For more information
  about the First Nations Health Authority, visit www.fnha.ca.

For more information, media may contact:

Gavin Wilson

Media Relations

First Nations Health Authority

778-991-1229

Connect with the Province of B. C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect

Rachel Rappaport

Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jane Philpott
Minister of Indigenous Services

819-934-2796

Media Relations
Indigenous Services Canada
819-953-1160

Download this media release in PDF format here (PDF 122 KB)