We are IH: Nation Chief & IH board member on finding balance

Willie counts the WLFN territory as a blessing, saying the Northern Secwpemculucw (loosely translated means Secwépemc land/ territory) gifts the people an incredible land diversity from rainforests to desert lands and everything in between. “We also have multiple rivers that run through the territory and make up my most favourite place in the whole world, Farwell Canyon and the Chilcotin River.”

According to Willie, the annual sockeye salmon run in that river provides the people an opportunity to both harvest and celebrate a staple food source important to the Secwépemc way of life.

“Being by the river, participating in a cultural activity my ancestors participated in, brings me balance and allows me to also provide a staple meat for my family,” Willie says

Being Secwépemc influences his daily routine at work and in his interactions with health. This includes taking care of his own mental health and wellness, balancing traditional health-care practices with western medicine practices, and making sure he participates in the conversation of reconciliation education.

“Continuing to be part of these conversations is empowering, instilling a lot of pride in who I am, where I come from and what our people are known and celebrated for.”

Being an IH board member

Reflecting on his journey to become an IH board member, one thing that impacted Willie’s approach was the In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in B.C. Health Care report. The report detailed widespread, systemic anti-Indigenous racism in B.C.'s health-care system, exposing significant inequities and discriminatory practices. To eliminate these institutional inequities and create a culturally safe environment, the report includes 24 recommendations.

A conversation was started with that report, centering on the question, “How can we be part of changing things?” Willie is thankful to be part of this discussion and movement at IH. He finds it inspiring, and for him the answer is, “Change doesn’t start and stop with Indigenous Peoples, it happens when it comes from all of us.”

Willie adds that understanding the content being reviewed and discussed at board meetings and contributing to those discussions is important to the success of being a board member at IH. “Asking questions and providing feedback with both a practical lens and Indigenous lens is something I strive for.”

Willie says a common misconception about being a board member is that “we can solve all of the problems and issues throughout the health authority with one phone call, or one discussion.” He says health is complicated, with lots of moving parts. At IH there are many eyes, ears, hands and hearts involved in every aspect of the work being done and the care being received.

The delivery of health care to Indigenous people in the region

IH serves nearly 900,000 residents across the Southern Interior of B.C. It operates a vast network of hospitals, clinics, and care facilities, employing over 31,000 staff to deliver comprehensive medical and community care services.

Interior Health has the largest Indigenous population of all B.C. health authorities. According to the 2021 census, the IH region includes 72,095 Indigenous, Mètis and Inuit People. Home to the Tŝilhqot’in, Secwépemc, Dãkelh Dené, St’át’imc, syilx, Nlaka’pamux, and Ktunaxa Nations, the region is comprised of 54 First Nations communities. Living within those territories are 14 chartered Métis communities and nine Urban and away-from-home Indigenous organizations.

“Health is also dominated by a non-Indigenous population,” Willie says. Yet he envisions the future of health care evolving to include Indigenous perspectives and practices for those seeking care or a career in health care.

Encouraging Indigenous and rural communities to get their kids and youth into the field of health care is also important, he says. Indigenous communities have funding for post secondary studies or trades certifications “How do we get them to a place where we're seeing more success stories? By sharing the success stories with them!” Willie emphasizes that empowering youth and adult learners to realize working in health care is an attainable goal and stresses that the messaging doesn't just need to come from Indigenous practitioners, it should come from all practitioners.

Supporting Indigenous recruits and staff in advancing their career path at IH is incredibly important to Willie and this includes mentorship opportunities. The WLFN Chief adds that having someone who can show recruits and staff the ropes will make their journey easier and less stressful.

Willie’s personal health-care experiences

Willie learned an unexpected lesson about health care in the region when two of his children spent a week at Cariboo Memorial Hospital (CMH) and a week at Royal Inland Hospital (RIH). “There is a lot on our health teams that doesn't stop and end in health care.” While his children were receiving care, he says “the health teams made sure we were comfortable, fed, and felt as much at home as we could be. That was how I was treated.” That moment changed his perspective.

The moments he felt he made a significant difference in someone's life through his work wasn’t about one specific thing but rather a collection of things, as he finds it in supporting patient travel, supporting connections to a physician, and following up post treatment to make sure wrap-around services are being offered and followed through on.

When asked if there was a specific goal or dream he continues to strive for in his personal or professional life he answers with two words: “Healthy communities.”

Willie is also a published author. He enjoys family time with his five kids, playing hockey, attending community events at WLFN, pow wow dancing, and enjoying his downtime. He also enjoys dipnetting, a fishing technique used in rivers and creeks to catch fish using a long-handled fishing net up to five feet and dipping it into a river to catch fish swimming upstream.

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