On February 1, 2024 members of the Fraser Salish Region gathered in Shxwhá:y Village for the signing of the Renewed Partnership Accord, a document created to renew a commitment between the Fraser Salish Regional Caucus, the Ministry of Health, the Fraser Health Authority, and for the first time, Métis Nation BC (MNBC).
Colleen Erickson, Board Chair of the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), acknowledged the renewal as a “step towards everyone working together." She reaffirmed the FNHA's commitment to remaining a partner through the Tripartite Framework Agreement and praised the Partnership Accord's recognition of “the laws of the land." Richard Jock, Chief Executive Officer of the FNHA, also highlighted the commitment to finding Indigenous ways of dealing with complaints as a new and important development.
Regional and partner organization representatives were called from the audience to formally witness the signing of the Partnership Accord. The document represents a collective commitment to improving the health and wellness of all Indigenous Peoples in the Fraser Salish Region.
The day included ceremony, marking the significance of the occasion. Young dancers honoured the signatories, while others were stood up and recognized for their work.
After the signing, Health Minister Adrian Dix spoke of racism as a dangerous pandemic to people's health. He acknowledged change of this magnitude requires not only personal change, but also systemic change that recognizes and respects Indigenous worldviews. The Partnership Accord urges the minister “to honour and hold up this work" as a key action going forward.
Health Minister Adrian Dix addresses attendees following the signing of the Partnership Accord.
Jim Sinclair of the Fraser Health Authority echoed Minister Dix's analogy of racism, calling racism a disease and the cure is working together to change the current system. He highlighted the importance of shared decision making as part of the Partnership Accord, and recognized that health care experts must work with Indigenous communities with their own knowledge.
Louis De Jaeger of MNBC spoke for health equity and culturally safe spaces at every point of contact for Indigenous People, and the belief that the “current structures and policies need to evolve with us, for us, but not without us."
Other speakers echoed these points as they focused on the path forward. The Renewed Partnership Accord brings organizations and people, together to collectively bring culturally safe services to the Fraser Salish Region.
