4.26

Strengthen the health and wellness partnership between Métis Nation British Columbia, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions and support opportunities to identify and work to address shared Métis health and wellness priorities.

Ministry of Health, Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions

Year

1

How far along
is this work?

2

How complicated
is this work?

1

Are there
challenges?

3

How are we
working together?

Highlights

In late 2022, the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation (MIRR), Ministry of Health (MoH) and Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions (MMHA) came together with Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) to develop a new Health, Mental Health and Wellness, and Harm Reduction Sub-Table, under the Métis Partnership Table. This sub-table brings together key system partners to explore ways to advance Métis health and wellness priorities, strengthen MNBC’s relationship with the Province and to explore opportunities to develop and promote Métis-specific health and mental health and wellness programming in the B.C. health system.

MNBC has made significant strides in strengthening their relationship with health system partners over the past year, through utilization of the increased MoH-MNBC funding resources. These resources, which include ongoing annualized funding, have supported the hiring of regional health co-ordinators and other regional-centred programming that help Métis people to access appropriate care, engagement in joint working groups and development of Indigenous children and youth health and wellness education and training modules.

Indicators

  • Amount of funding provided: In 2022/23, MoH and MMHA provided MNBC with a total of $2.2 million ($1.2 million in annualized funding; $1 million grant) to support capacity building for engagements, partnership and activities to support Métis health, mental health and wellness.
  • Strategic engagement underway: The Métis Health, Mental Health and Wellness and Harm Reduction Sub-Table was established.

How are we working together?

Partnership and collaboration forums include working groups, the In Plain Sight Task Team, monthly/bi-monthly executive meetings, a quarterly assistant deputy ministers (ADM) meeting and the newly established Health, Mental Health and Wellness, and Harm Reduction Sub-Table.

Are there challenges?

Challenges include limited MNBC capacity to engage on multiple streams of work which may delay development and implementation of specific initiatives and partnership opportunities.

MNBC has stated that funding supports are inadequate to address community needs and facilitate MNBC’s engagement in provincial initiatives and opportunities; as well, the current funding from multiple partners in numerous agreements is resulting in a heavy administrative and reporting burden.