The Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey 2025 forum (GW XIII), held June 4-6, 2025, will feature discussions on the evolution of the Health Governance Structure along with development of a principles document to support a First Nations approach to any future health legislation. This First Nations Health Council (FNHC) hosted gathering is an opportunity for Chiefs, leaders and Health Directors to hear updates and engage in discussions with the First Nations Health Council (FNHC), First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), the First Nations Health Directors Association (FNHDA) and other health system and government partners.
Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey XIII
Honouring our Shared Vision through Culture and Tradition
February 28 – March 2, 2023, Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey XII, hosted at the Vancouver Convention Centre on the traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.
We invite you to watch the welcome video from Gathering Wisdom X in January 2020 which celebrates our history of reclaiming health and wellness for First Nations in BC.
May 15–17, 2018, Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey X, will be hosted at the Westin Bayshore Hotel, Vancouver, BC on the traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.
The theme of Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey (GWSJ) VIII was “Learning from the Past and Planning for the Future”. The theme recognizes that the social determinants of health are not a new concept to Indigenous peoples. Each Nation has stories, teachings and traditions that speak to a holistic concept of health – a concept that reflects the connection between physical, mental, spiritual and emotional dimensions of wellbeing. It is important to reflect on these teachings, values and traditions in charting the course for the next step of this health journey
At Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey IV held May 24-26, 2011, BC First Nations considered, debated and ratified Resolution 2011-01. Leadership voted to adopt the Consensus Paper, which describes First Nations’ vision of a new health governance structure. Through the Resolution, First Nations endorsed a Tripartite Framework Agreement on First Nation Health Governance – a tripartite legal agreement to transfer the operations of Health Canada’s First Nations and Inuit Health Branch-BC Region to a First Nations Health Authority and enter into a new health partnership with the federal and provincial governments. The BC Tripartite Framework Agreement on First Nation Health Governance was signed on October 13th, 2011.
May 24 – 26, 2011, Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey IV. Facilitator Harold Tarbell welcomed participants to the Forum to participate in the ongoing critical dialogue about the future of health for BC First Nations. He acknowledged the record number of BC First Nations represented in the room, and led a round of applause for previous members of the First Nations Health Council (FNHC) who had been honoured at the prior evening’s banquet.
