Community visits improve first-hand insight into health challenges

October 18, 2022

Members of First Nations Health Authority, Interior Health, and Interior Region First Nation Technical Representatives enjoy the expansive view outside of Xeni Gwet’in.

How do health and wellness leaders gain perspective on the health challenges faced by rural and remote communities? They make time to visit with the people who live there, listen to their stories, and build meaningful relationships.

Recently, the Xeni Gwet’in First Nation hosted a meeting of the Partnership Accord Leadership Table (PALT), a regional table comprised of the seven Interior Region First Nation Executives, Interior Health board and senior executive team members, and First Nation Health Authority (FNHA) executives. PALT meets quarterly to strategize and make decisions around the health and wellness needs of First Nations peoples.

The meeting marked the first time that PALT met outside of a large urban centre, reflecting a decision by representatives to hold every second meeting in a First Nation community within the Interior region. Given that half of Aboriginal populations live in rural and remote communities across the Interior, this decision provides valuable first-hand insight into the unique challenges they experience.

Two salmon laying lifelessly in the water. — Salmon wash ashore at Chilko Lake.

Xeni Gwet’in is one of six communities within the Tsilhqot’in Nation, located approximately 200 kilometres west of Williams Lake. The community is nestled in a remote valley surrounded by coastal mountains. Glacier-fed lakes and rivers provide important salmon grounds. Approximately 150 Tsilhqot'in deni (people) live within the territory; an additional 250 community members live across colonial Canada.

One challenge faced by rural and remote communities such as Xeni Gwet’in is the logistics of travel. Located three hours by car from Williams Lake and eight hours from Kelowna, the final 100 kilometres approach is gravel road. Car issues such as blowouts are not uncommon. With no repair shops nearby, both collaboration and self-sufficiency are crucial. Health-care service delivery in rural and remote areas requires innovative approaches, such as an increased reliance on digital health services to meet these challenges.

A vehicle pulled over on the shoulder of the road gets its tire replaced by one person while another person watches. — Several members of the Interior Health delegation arrived at Xeni Gwet’in with flat tires and were grateful for help provided by community members to patch them up. Dr. Doug Cochrane, the IH Board Chair, and Addie Pryce, Vice President for Aboriginal Partnerships, (pictured above) were also temporarily sidelined on their return trip with a flat.

Another challenge facing many rural, remote and Aboriginal communities is water quality. Unsafe drinking water has serious, long-ranging health effects. At the time of the PALT meeting, only half of the community had access to clean, drinkable water. A major project is underway in the community to ensure that drinking water is available to all.

The opportunity to travel into Xeni Gwet’in provided valuable learning experiences, including a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by many First Nations in caring for their people, one of them being equitable access to health care.

I was humbled by the welcome we received and the incredible hospitality of the people. My gratitude goes out to Xeni Gwet’in for this memory.

-- Addie Pryce, Vice President, Aboriginal Partnerships

Three people pose in front of a wooden structure. — From left, Roger William (former Xeni Gwet’in Chief who now serves as a Cultural Ambassador at Nemiah Valley Lodge), Xeni Gwet’in Chief Jimmy Lulua, and IH Board Chair Doug Cochrane.

Following a long day’s travel, the PALT guests were welcomed by Chief Jimmy Lulua at Nemiah Valley Lodge for a shared meal. The following morning, the visitors traveled to Xeni Gwet’in where Health Director Annie Williams provided an overview of community projects and priorities before the PALT meeting commenced.

The team focused on progress made towards advancing key initiatives identified in the PALT Action Plan and the ongoing work of addressing the In Plain Sight Report Recommendations. Following the PALT meeting, representatives visited a cultural site on Chilko Lake and shared a meal with Elders and other community members. Cultural ambassadors recounted Tsilhqot’in history and stories and guests took in the beautiful landscape. After a long day of collaboration, representatives returned to the lodge to reflect on their learnings from the day.

“The beauty of the environment is complemented by the beauty of the Nation members, their resilience and self-determination that provide examples of commitment to culture and their shared history,” said Dr. Doug Cochrane, Interior Health’s board chair. “I have so much to learn about the Nation and its people and, importantly, how Interior Health can support health care in our remote communities.”

Access to care, sustainable provider staffing, and emergency services built on a reliable infrastructure of water, power and communication technology, are among the areas where partnerships such as PALT can support equitable compassionate care for the Xeni Gwet'in and other First Nations communities.