Framework Agreement
The Tripartite partners – BC First Nations, the Province of BC and the Government of Canada – have all determined that statistically significant health disparities for First Nations people in BC are no longer acceptable.
A new relationship between the Tripartite Partners is represented by the signing of these documents:
With each of these Agreements, the partnership has grown, developed and evolved. Over time, the Partners have recognized how to better work with one another, making adjustments and accommodations to be better Partners.
The signing of the Framework Agreement on October 13, 2011, changed the course of First Nations health in BC with the creation of a new First Nations Health Governance Structure that will enable First Nations in BC to participate fully in the design and delivery of these services.
Decision-making will be brought closer to home through recognizing and involving First Nations decision-making and service delivery processes, structures and institutions at provincial, regional and local levels. In particular, the Partners will nurture the partnerships between First Nations in all regions and each provincial Regional Health Authorities.
BC First Nations Chiefs overwhelmingly endorsed the Framework Agreement, voting for greater control by BC First Nations over their own health care. This was a key milestone in the 10-year Health Plan signed in 2007.
The British Columbia First Nations Health Governance Structure includes four components:
- The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA): responsible for planning, management, service delivery and funding of health programs, previously provided by Health Canada's First Nations Inuit Health Branch Pacific Region.
- The First Nations Health Council (FNHC): provides political leadership for implementation of Tripartite commitments and supports health priorities for BC First Nations.
- The First Nations Health Directors Association (FNHDA) : composed of health directors and managers working in First Nations communities. Supports education, knowledge transfer, professional development and best practices for health directors and managers. Acts as a technical advisory body to the FNHC and the FNHA on research, policy, program planning and design and the implementation of the Health Plans.
- The Tripartite Committee on First Nations Health (TCFNH): the forum for coordinating and aligning programming and planning efforts between the FNHA, BC Regional and Provincial Health Authorities, the BC Ministry of Health and Health Canada Partners. (For Tripartite Health Plan Reports, see Annual Reports.)
Relationship Agreement
The relationship between the FNHA, FNHC and FNHDA is represented in the 2012 Relationship Agreement, which outlines the sound partnership sought by the Parties – a partnership based on shared values and understanding of our collective and respective roles, responsibilities and accountabilities.
The partnership between the FNHC, FNHA and FNHDA is directed and mandated by BC First Nations through the following governing documents:
"The Parties recognize that achieving this outcome while upholding the 7 Directives adopted by BC First Nations requires coordination, cooperation and a shared understanding. The Parties further recognize that the strength of our work arises from a collective voice amongst us.
"This partnership is based on shared values and understanding of our collective and respective roles, responsibilities and accountabilities. The 2012 Relationship Agreement defines those roles, responsibilities and accountabilities that create and maintain an ethical and productive partnership between us and is written in the spirit of the shared values upon which our partnership is based." (2012 FNHA, FNHC, FNHDA Relationship Agreement)
Tripartite Health Plan Reports
Tripartite Committee on First Nations Health
Tripartite Data Quality and Sharing Agreement
