Improving health care for Indigenous peoples in the Fraser Salish region, and addressing systemic racism are goals of a renewed Fraser Partnership Accord.
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix signed the accord with reps from Fraser Salish Regional Caucus, Fraser Health, and M茅tis Nation B.C. at the Shxwh谩:y Village Cultural Centre, near Chilliwack, in a traditional longhouse ceremony on Feb. 1.
B次元官网网址淎s Minister, I think weB次元官网网址檝e made a little bit of progress but Indigenous-specific racism exists in our health care system, and it is only through committed partnerships like this one we are signing, the Fraser Partnership Accord, that will see us continue down our road to eliminating racism in our health care system,B次元官网网址� Dix said.
The accord cements a B次元官网网址渇ull and meaningful partnershipB次元官网网址� in both decision-making and service delivery B次元官网网址渇or the betterment of health outcomes for all Indigenous Peoples living in the Fraser Salish region.B次元官网网址�
The concept of LetseB次元官网网址檓ot, meaning B次元官网网址渆veryone working togetherB次元官网网址� in HalqB次元官网网址檈m茅ylem, is embodied in the details of the accord signed by the Fraser Salish Regional Caucus and, for the first time, M茅tis Nation B.C., making them full and equal partners at local and regional levels.
The agreement the reps signed makes a ground-breaking pledge to B次元官网网址渄o better, be betterB次元官网网址� in a way thatB次元官网网址檚 never been enshrined before.
Grand Chief Willie Charlie, explained elements of the signing ceremony to those attending in the longhouse, and underlined that thanks to the accord they will be involved in the decision-making to transform the system.
B次元官网网址淭he accord is a step in the right direction to ensuring we donB次元官网网址檛 repeat the wrongs of the past and that we create a better future of care for everyone,B次元官网网址� Charlie said. B次元官网网址淭his collaborative approach allows Indigenous voices to be part of that change.B次元官网网址�
M茅tis Nation B.C. Health Minister Louis de Jaeger said it was the first accord to include the M茅tis Nation B.C. as a signatory working toward more equitable practices.
B次元官网网址淲e must work collaboratively amongst our Nations to protect our people and advocate for health equity and culturally safe spaces at every point of contact,B次元官网网址� de Jaeger said. B次元官网网址淓verything around us evolves over time, so does practical health care and so do we.B次元官网网址�
The accord was first signed in 2011, and amended in 2020. The updated version strives to incorporate traditional cultural ways and modern health practices to improve health and wellness for all people in B.C.
B次元官网网址淥n behalf of Fraser Health, we are proud to sign this partnership accord that will empower our Indigenous communities with greater involvement over the delivery of health services,B次元官网网址� said Jim Sinclair, Fraser Health board chair. B次元官网网址淭his collaboration marks a significant stride towards fostering culturally safe and racism-free care in all of our facilities.B次元官网网址�
The Fraser Salish Regional Caucus represents the St贸:l艒 Nation, St贸:l艒 Tribal Council and independent communities in the Fraser Salish region with the goal of supporting the well-being of all First Nations people living in the region, regardless of nationhood, status or residence.
M茅tis Nation British Columbia is the governing Nation for M茅tis people in B.C. and represents more than 24,000 registered M茅tis citizens. More than 6,200 M茅tis live in the Fraser Salish region.
The accord dovetails with the United NationsB次元官网网址� Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and B.C.B次元官网网址檚 Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), and aims to establish a culturally safe health-care system in B.C. that is free of Indigenous-specific racism through the implementation of advice and recommendations made in the In Plain Sight report.
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