The First Nations Health Authority

Abstract

More than 10 years of negotiation and a series of political agreements led to the formation of a new First Nations health governance structure in British Columbia and the beginning of new relationships in health between First Nations, federal, and provincial governments. The First Nations Health Authority is the service delivery arm of this structure and the first-of-its-kind for Canada. Equitable and innovative health service and governance partnerships can bring decision-making closer to home and into the hands of First Nations communities and allows using the best of western medicine combined with holistic and traditional practices. Decolonizing old relationships and building new partnerships are leading to greater alignment of culturally safe and effective health services through coordination, integration, and shared decision-making in British Columbia.