Overview
The majority of First Nations people in BC live in urban areas or away from home. However, mainstream health services are not always accessible due to systemic, institutional, clinical and individual barriers. The FNHA has multiple roles as a service provider, funder, partner and advocate to support the health and wellness of all First Nations people in BC, regardless of where they live or access their health services.
The First Nations Urban and Away-from-Home (UAH) population includes status and non-status First Nations people in BC who live in:
- a city, urban, rural, remote or isolated area that is not in a First Nations community or on a reserve
- a reserve that is away from their home community
UAH engagement
The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) is actively engaging with the Urban and Away-from-Home (UAH) population, BC First Nations, urban Indigenous organizations, and health system partners across each region. The goal of this work is to better understand the health and wellness needs of the UAH population and to create and improve UAH engagement and communications pathways with the UAH population to support FNHA health and wellness planning.
UAH Engagement began in March 2023 and is now nearing completion in the Vancouver Island and Interior regions, with the Northern region already finalized. If you were unable to attend an in-person or virtual session in these areas, we encourage you to share your insights by completing our online engagement survey.
Stay tuned for upcoming engagement sessions in the Fraser Salish and Vancouver Coastal regions!
Your Voice Matters
If you are living UAH in the Vancouver Island, Vancouver Coastal, Fraser Salish or Interior regions, we would love to hear from you! Please fill out our online engagement survey to share your perspective.
This survey is designed to gather valuable feedback to understand how to better communicate and involve the UAH population in decision making regarding their health and wellness service needs.
Programs, services and resources
First Nations people living in urban areas and away from home have access to programs, services and resources provided by the FNHA, including:
- First Nations Health Benefits
- First Nations-led Primary Health Care Initiative
- Virtual Doctor of the Day
- Virtual Substance Use and Psychiatry Service
- Opioid Agonist Therapy
- Naloxone Coverage
- Mental Health and Substance Use Supports
- FNHA Mental Health Providers Map
- Compliments and Complaints Process
- Urban and Away-from-Home Lunch and Learn
- 2S/LGBTQQIA+ Wellness Resources
For a full list of the FNHA’s programs, services and resources, view the FNHA programs and services list.
Stay up to date
Join the Urban and Away-From-Home contact list using our online form.
Sign up for the FNHA e-newsletter to stay informed about activities, new programs and services. Scroll down to the site footer and enter your email address to register.
Frameworks and reports
UAH Health and Wellness Framework
The document Urban and Away-from-Home Health and Wellness Framework outlines high-level principles and strategic directions for expanding the scope and function of FNHA support for the urban and away-from-home population.
The Framework at a Glance illustration provides an overview of the three streams of the Framework and the key areas of work within each stream.
Survey Report
The FNHA conducted a survey to understand how First Nations people living in urban areas and away from home access health and wellness information.
The results of the survey, described in the Urban and Away-from-Home Survey Results Report, will inform the development of communications and engagement strategies. The Summary of Survey Results document highlights key findings from the survey.
AHMA-FNHA Memorandum of Partnership
In April 2024, the Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA) and the FNHA signed a historic, new Memorandum of Partnership. The Memorandum of Partnership establishes the AHMA and the FNHA’s shared commitment to improve the wellness of First Nations people living in BC and strengthens the partnership between the two organizations.
The AHMA and the FNHA will develop a collaborative work plan to better connect First Nations people in BC to services and supports to advance health and housing outcomes. Read the full AHMA-FNHA partnership announcement.