New five-year plan reflects the voices, priorities and aspirations of 50 First Nations communities
After 18 months of engagement, review and collaboration, FNHA’s Vancouver Island Region has released its updated Regional Health and Wellness Plan (RHWP), a five-year roadmap that reflects the shared vision, priorities and aspiration of 50 First Nations communities.
The updated plan was shaped by extensive input from Elders, Chiefs, council members, Health Directors, health leads, community health staff and community members. Their insights helped identify regional priorities and establish a shared direction for improving health and wellness outcomes over the next five years.
“Capturing the voices of our people, especially those who do the work on the ground, really makes a difference in how successful this plan is,” said Chief John Powell (Winidi) of the Mamalilikulla First Nation during Regional Caucus discussions.
Originally developed in 2014 and updated in 2018, the RHWP has been refreshed to respond to the changing health and wellness needs of Coast Salish, Nuu-chah-nulth and Kwakwaka’wakw Nations.
Since the last update, communities have faced significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing toxic drug crisis and the continued impacts of First Nations-specific racism within the health care system. During this same period, FNHA’s regional programs and services have expanded, creating new opportunities to support Nation-led approaches to health and wellness.
The updated plan is organized around four foundational pillars: Governance, Partnership, Operations and Transformation. It identifies key priorities, including cultural safety and humility, mental health and wellness, traditional wellness, primary care, health emergency management, data governance, toxic drug response and supports for urban and away-from-home populations.
Together, these priorities are intended to strengthen self-determination, advance Nation-led health transformation and guide regional planning, partnerships and investments.
“To have our own plan that we can use to drive the relationship and the priorities of the region is going to be very helpful to all of us in the advocacy work that we do,” said Hereditary Chief Shana Thomas (Huy’wu’qw Laxele’wuts’aat) of the Lyackson First Nation. “It’ll also help us when it comes to recognizing key programs and service delivery that is required for our region.”
Engagement took place through Health Director tables, Regional Table discussions, sub-regional and regional caucus sessions, advisory committees and community planning processes. Vancouver Island First Nations leadership provided final approval through Regional Caucus governance processes in spring 2026.
As a living document, the RHWP will continue to evolve alongside community priorities, providing a shared framework for collaboration, planning and action across the region over the next five years.
Read the Regional Health and Wellness Plan
For questions about the plan, contact the Vancouver Island Region Planning team at PlanningVI@fnha.ca.
