The Indigenous Engagement Team at Interior Health (IH) has been recognized as Runner-Up for the BC Quality Awards in the Leadership in Co-Designing Health Quality with Communities category. This recognition celebrates the team's innovative partnership with First Nations and Métis communities to create Nation-based health-care advocate roles, a groundbreaking approach to fostering equity and cultural safety in health care.
Each advocate is co-managed by the engagement manager and a Nation manager. The advocates take direction primarily from their Nation’s priorities, ensuring their work aligns with community-specific needs and aspirations. For example, the Métis Nation BC Health Systems advocate worked to develop the Métis Health and Wellness Plan, which set forth eight priority areas for MNBC and IH to work together to create better health outcomes for Métis people in the Interior. This collaborative effort demonstrates the power of co-design in addressing systemic gaps and advancing community health.
"In co-designing these positions with First Nations, Interior Health (IH) has done an incredible job in showcasing how a Health Authority and an Indigenous Nation/Community should work together," shared the Ulkatcho First Nation. "All work with our people and for our people should be driven by our people (nothing about us without us)."
Another example is the role that advocates play in managing the letter of understanding (LOU) work between IH and the Nations. This includes organizing LOU meetings, revising the document, socializing the document with the Nation, and incorporating changes as needed. By facilitating these processes, advocates ensure that the agreements are living documents that reflect current needs and mutual commitments.
Without this Nation-based health-care advocate position, UFN would not be able to engage with Interior Health in a meaningful way. This initiative has strengthened the relationship between IH and UFN and we are excited to work collaboratively to improve the health and well-being of Ulkatcho’tens. Chanalya IH!
The Nation health advocates play a pivotal role in bridging gaps, enhancing access to services and co-developing Nation-specific health and wellness plans with communities. By promoting mutual accountability and engagement between IH and Indigenous Nations, these advocates are building trust and meaningful partnerships that challenge colonial health-care practices.
Reflecting on this achievement, Kaelyn Elfert, manager, Indigenous Engagement, shared heartfelt thanks to team members, past and present. “We have proven that through hard work and true partnership, new ways of doing things are possible, even within a complex and colonial health-care system,” says Kaelyn. “The work that Nation Advocates are doing to strengthen relationships between Nations, communities, and Interior Health is forging a new path for health system improvement—a path built on trust, accountability and meaningful partnership.”
During my time as the Métis Nation BC health advocate, we were able to accomplish so much that directly impacts Métis who are interacting with the health system. We were able to not only build the MNBC-IH Métis Health and Wellness Plan, but start actioning many of the goals. The plan will continue to lead the good work of improving health and wellness outcomes for Métis individuals, families and communities in the region.
Becca Britton, lead, Indigenous Partnerships, echoed this sentiment. “It feels good to be honoured for this hard work and heart work that our team is so passionate about,” she says. “Receiving this award stokes the fire to keep moving our shared goals forward in a good way, and I hope it inspires other teams in health care to uphold truth and support reconciliation.”
Congratulations to the Indigenous Engagement Team for this well-deserved recognition. Your work exemplifies the transformative power of partnership and cultural understanding that we are working towards in health care.
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