Transforming First Nations Health Care in British Columbia: An Organizational Challenge

• Published in: International Indigenous Policy Journal
• Main Author: Stephen Wilmot
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: University of Western Ontario 2018
• Subjects: boundary; British Columbia; Canada; First Nations; health care; legitimacy; organizations; scipo; hisphilso
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.18584/iipj.2018.9.1.4; https://doaj.org/article/b15de54173ea4a2bb9e4ecf69a9e430c

Following a series of agreements on First Nations health care in British Columbia beginning in 2005, several organizations were created to contribute to the development of a system of health care for First Nations in the province, with the aim of transforming First Nations health care to better meet users’ needs. This article considers the role of these organizations and their relationships with the provincial government, the federal government, and the First Nations people of British Columbia. It explores possible levels of transformation, as well as the possibilities and problems for these organizations in undertaking the transformation process, particularly with regard to their position on the boundary between the worlds of First Nations and Canada. It also considers sources of, and threats to, their legitimacy in this undertaking. Finally, wider points of relevance beyond British Columbia are identified.