Catalyze intersectoral actions to build supportive, culturally safe systems, with particular attention given to connection to land

Recommendation 5: The PHWA illustrates that Western systems must be supportive and culturally safe in order to advance the health of First Nations. To do so, there is a need for unified, coordinated actions across diverse systems and organizations to remove systemic barriers to wellness. In particular, these collaborations must attend to First Nations connection to land, which is a foundation of wellness. We challenge health, social, and environmental sectors to work together in new and innovative ways.

Achieveing the targets set out within the PHWA requires both intra-organizational alignments and inter-organizational collaboration and partnership. First Nations organizations and collectives must continue to pursue alignment and support one another in collective efforts to nourish roots of wellness. BC’s Provincial Government must create internal mechanisms to collaborate effectively between ministries and make efforts to include ministries that influence First Nations’ connection to land.

• Federal and provincial governments must partner with First Nations organizations and collectives to collaborate efficiently across sectors with the goal of achieving the targets outlined in the PHWA.
• First Nations organizations and collectives and governmental bodies implicated in the following areas are key stakeholders in this intersectoral work: health, education, housing, justice, social development, poverty reduction, natural resources/climate change, economic development, and child welfare.

Advance the roots of health and wellness of the next generation: First Nations babies, children, and youth

Recommendation 6: We call for a unified and intersectoral approach that develops mechanisms, in meaningful partnership with First Nations organizations and collectives, to amplify the voices of First Nations children, youth, parents, and grandparents, to guide specific actions and investments that advance the roots of wellness of the next generation.

Advance the roots of health and wellness of the next generation: First Nations babies, children, and youth

Priority areas for collaboration across systems/organizations

Recommendation 7: Revitalize child- and youth-focused ceremonies and cultural practices (i.e., naming ceremonies, puberty rites, First Nations birthing).

Advance the roots of health and wellness of the next generation: First Nations babies, children, and youth

Priority areas for collaboration across systems/organizations

Recommendation 8: Promote child and youth mental wellness by breaking silos and grounding collaborative work in First Nation Health Authority’s Policy on Mental Health and Wellness.

Advance the roots of health and wellness of the next generation: First Nations babies, children, and youth

Priority areas for collaboration across systems/organizations

Recommendation 9: Promote family unity by collaboratively addressing colonial practices and policies that undermine First Nation families.

Advance the roots of health and wellness of the next generation: First Nations babies, children, and youth

Priority areas for collaboration across systems/organizations

Recommendation 10: Increase land-based learning, healing, and stewardship opportunities for First Nations children and youth.