“Aboriginal Health Improvement Committee, NW East Cluster, September 15th, 2009, Moricetown, BC.

From left to right are: Juanita Nikal, Paul Hanki, Shelley Becker, Victoria Stewart, Susie Hooper, Martha Wilson, Christine Ball, Agnes Snow, Sharon Robertson,    Lee Anne Hodge-Johnson, Myrtle Muldoe, Angie Combs, Hertha Holland, Dee Dee Janzen, Cormac Hikisch.

Also attending were: Wanda Nikal, Erica Marsden, Lillian Lewis, and Feddie Louie.”

Aboriginal Health Improvement Committees (AHIC)

Northern Health will work with Aboriginal leaders in each of the three Health Service Delivery Areas (HSDA), to establish permanent Aboriginal Health Improvement Committees (AHIC). 

The permanence of these Committees, as opposed to a consultation approach, will provide the opportunity for members to develop a comprehensive understanding of the specific interests of local Aborginal people and provide helpful local and regional health system information including information about the health of their local population and the "health" of their communities.  This will enable each Committee to be in a position to engage in meaningful dialogue with local service providers and managers and in doing so, provide Northern Health with advise on a wide range of issues.

The AHIC will be faciliated initially by the Health Service Administer for each area and will be comprised of community delegates who will review issues and concerns and work towards practical solutions.

There are currently seven (7) AHICs operating throughout the North:

• Prince George
• Prince Rupert
• Terrace
• Smithers
• Lakes / Omenica
• Quesnel
• Fort St. John