Home - Gathering Wisdom Forum

OCTOBER 4 - 5, 2021

VIRTUAL GATHERING WISDOM FOR A SHARED JOURNEY XI

The 2021 Gathering Wisdom brings together Chiefs and leaders, Health Directors, technical leads and our Federal and Provincial partners. Healing and Resilience is the theme for this year’s gathering.

Gathering Wisdom forums – held every 18 months – manifest the commitments within the Tripartite BC First Nations Health Plan that underpin the transformation of health and wellness for First Nations in BC.

REGISTRATION INFO / Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey XI

Below is the registration information for the two-day virtual Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey XI Forum (GWXI) scheduled for October 4 – 5, 2021 via Zoom Meeting.

What to expect:

For GW XI, the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on large gatherings demands a shorter, 2-day virtual event with an agenda limited to a few priority program updates. In a virtual world, we are excited to share this year with some exciting events and activities such as Regional cultural sharing performances through pre-recorded videos, door prizes throughout the forum, and a fun assortment of GWXI themed virtual backgrounds. The following provides some key features of the virtual event:

Objectives:

To ensure the BC First Nations Health Governance Structure meets its commitment (during the COVID-19 pandemic) to report and provide updates to all BC First Nations Chiefs and Leaders every 18 months.
To provide an update on the status of the Governance Workbook and provide space for leaders Chiefs and Leaders to provide their wisdom, thoughts and perspectives on the direction of the FNHC’s work.
For British Columbia and Canada to report back on their DRIPA and federal health legislation engagement from Spring 2021 Governance Caucuses.
To acknowledge and provide support for First Nations Chiefs, Leaders, and Health Directors related to the Indian Residential School discoveries.
To provide an overview of Anti-Racism work in the provincial healthcare system.

Who’s invited:

Similar to the Regional Caucuses, we are pleased to invite three (3) representatives from each BC First Nation community in BC. This includes:

Political Lead (e.g. Chief or Proxy)
Health Lead (e.g. Health Director, Community Health Representative, or Health Portfolio Holder on Council)
Social Lead (e.g. Social Development Director, Social Development Worker, or Children and Family Worker)

Are you attending on behalf of an elected Chief or primary Health Director? Please fill out the Proxy letter here: Proxy Letter – GWXI.pdf

To Register:

Gathering Wisdom XI

For more information or questions:

Email: GWXI-info@fnha.ca

GWXI will be hosted on Zoom Meeting. We hope to see you during the forum! You are encouraged to share and interact with the speakers, as you are comfortable. Your video and audio is not required for participation in any of the general conference sessions.

ZOOM Meeting Instructions:

Please see below for methods to connect through both ZOOM app or phone. If you are unable to access ZOOM on a computer, please dial in through phone. If you get a busy signal, please keep trying.
If you have any questions to ask the panel, please submit them by email before or during the meeting to GWXI-info@fnha.ca or you can use the ‘Chat’ feature in the ZOOM application.

There are two options to join the meeting:

ZOOM App:

You can sign into the Zoom App by clicking on the Join Zoom Meeting link provided to you once you complete your registration. When it asks you to join the meeting audio, select ‘join with computer audio’.

You can ask questions in real time by clicking on the ‘Chat’ button and then typing in your question.

Join by phone:

If you are joining by phone and have any questions to ask the panel, please submit them by email before or during the meeting to GWXI-info@fnha.ca .

If you have any questions about the ZOOM meeting, please submit them to GWXI-info@fnha.ca.

See the FAQs below for more information.

Register Now

FAQs / Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Gathering Wisdom forum be happening this year?

This year Gathering Wisdom will be a two-day virtual event on October 4 – 5, 2021.

What will be on the agenda/event program for the Gathering Wisdom forum this year?

In a virtual world, we are excited to share this year with some exciting events and activities such as Regional cultural sharing performances through pre-recorded videos, door prizes throughout the forum, and a fun assortment of GWXI themed virtual backgrounds.

The Gathering Wisdom forum this year will feature updates from the First Nations Health Council (FNHC), the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and the First Nations Health Directors Association (FNHDA). Due to the pandemic, the Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey XI will be a two-day virtual event. The following provides some key features of the virtual event:

To ensure the BC First Nations Health Governance Structure meets its commitment (during the COVID-19 pandemic) to report and provide updates to all BC First Nations Chiefs and Leaders every 18 months.
To provide an update on the status of the Governance Workbook intended to outline considerations and the path forward concluding in a resolution at GW XII in September 2022 on the ongoing role and advocacy agenda for the FNHC.
To provide updates on COVID-19 response and the Multi-Year Health Plans from the FNHA.
To provide updates on Health Director Certificate program and other learning and training updates from the FNHDA.

Will there be a decision at the Gathering Wisdom forum this year?

No, due to the pandemic, the FNHC, FNHA, and the FNHDA postponed all FNHA-hosted public events including the decision to cancel all Regional Caucuses, Nation Assemblies, and sub-regional and Family related gatherings. The decision has been deferred until Gathering Wisdom XII, September 2022,

Why is it important that Chiefs attend the Gathering Wisdom forum?

It is important that Chiefs have information to support the health and wellness work they do in community. The Gathering Wisdom forum is an important part of the health governance process. It is an opportunity to provide Chiefs with an update on progress and discuss future strategic direction for the BC First Nations health governance structure.

While there may be no province-wide decision to make at Gathering Wisdom this year, the FNHC will be providing an update on the Governance Guidebook and 18-month engagement process. This process will culminate in a decision at the next Gathering Wisdom forum in September 2022.

Who is invited to attend?

Similar to the Regional Caucuses, we are pleased to invite three (3) representatives from each BC First Nation community in BC. This includes:

Political Lead (e.g. Chief or Proxy)
Health Lead (e.g. Health Director, Community Health Representative, or Health Portfolio Holder on Council)
Social Lead (e.g. Social Development Director, Social Development Worker, or Children and Family Worker)

It is up to each community to choose how they want to participate in the virtual Gathering Wisdom forum this year within the three affiliations described above. Given the focus of this year’s event, the participation of political representatives from each community is encouraged by the FNHC.

In addition, we are pleased to invite one (1) representative from the following:

First Nation Umbrella Health Provider

What is the ‘social lead’ category on registration?

As the discussion on the social determinants of health is broader than health services, ‘social lead’ is fit to include representatives that have a responsibility for health and social services in their community. A ‘social lead’ may include, but is not limited to, a Band Manager, Social Development Director, Social Development Worker, Social Worker, or Children and Family Worker. These are examples – each community should select the most appropriate representative to attend for their community.

Will there be a regional procession?

No, however there will be at the in-person Gathering Wisdom XII Forum taking place in September 2022.

How do I register?

Registration for this event is open, and you can register by clicking this link: https://fnha.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5EscuqrrzMuGtHXzVDT23Y1pkNj0olpSHX2

What platform will GWXI be hosted on? Will I be on video?

GWXI will be hosted on Zoom Meeting. We hope to see you during the forum! You are encouraged to share and interact with the speakers, as you are comfortable. Your video and audio is not required for participation in any of the general conference sessions.

Will there be other activities throughout the one day forum?

Yes, there will be many activities throughout the day, including:

Prizes

Prize draws will be held throughout the forum, including when you submit a completed evaluation form.

This year we will have prizes from St. Jean’s Cannery & Smokehouse, FitBit, walking poles along with a few more surprises. The prizes have been chosen with postage and travel restrictions in mind.

Cultural sharing

Regions will each be contributing a cultural video this year that captures regional performance and showcases the energy we have been missing this past year. We are particularly looking forward to seeing all the beautiful performances.

Wellness activities

Wellness activities this year will include break time stretches from an external provider. To get you up and dancing!

Meeting packages

A meeting package will be distributed to all community representatives that includes a memory stick with the meeting material and other swag. The package will be physically mailed to the address provided during registration.

PREVIOUS EVENTS / Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey

Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey X

Presentation Slides

FNHA Evaluation

Tripartite Evaluation

The First Nations Populations Health and Wellness Agenda

Reclaiming Our Connections: The next 10 years

FNHC Mental Health and Wellness reporting framework

Pathway to Health and Wellness

Dr. Adams Wellness Initiatives

On January 14-16th, 2020 Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey X, hosted at the Vancouver Convention Centre on the traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations, celebrated the ten year milestone of Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey.