FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NLG Executive Appoints Interim Board of Nisg̱a’a Valley Health Authority

November 30, 2017 – Gitlax̱t’aamiks, B.C. -  Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government is pleased to announce the recent appointment of four highly qualified individuals to serve on the interim board of directors for the Nisg̱a’a Valley Health Authority.  The appointees are:

• Angeline S.B. Nyce – a Nisg̱a’a citizen and practicing lawyer in British Columbia with significant experience in corporate governance roles;

• Robert J. Smith – a health administration expert with an extensive background in public governance roles and knowledge of the Nisg̱a’a health system;

• Amy Nyce – an active health care professional in northern British Columbia and a Nisg̱a’a citizen; and

• Geoffrey Crampton – who brings his decades of experience in executive leadership positions in both the private and public sectors, and specifically in the human resources field of the health industry, to the role.

President Eva Clayton stated that, “Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government set out to use its new appointing power to create a board with the right mix of education, experience and knowledge of the Nisg̱a’a Nation’s culture and traditions.  We are very pleased with the directors that have been appointed, and believe they will work together to provide effective guidance to the Nisg̱a’a Valley Health Authority, and to continue to improve the delivery of Nisg̱a’a health services and the health of Nisg̱a’a citizens across Canada.”

The Nisg̱a’a Valley Health Authority is a society incorporated under the Societies Act and is designated under Nisg̱a’a law as the health services provider of the Nisg̱a’a Nation.

Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government made its appointments in accordance with the recent amendments to the bylaws of the Nisg̱a’a Valley Health Authority that were voted on and unanimously approved by the members of the society at a members meeting held in the Nisg̱a’a Village of Lax̱g̱alts'ap on June 29, 2017.  These amended bylaws were reviewed and approved by the Ministry of Health (British Columbia) and empower Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government to appoint qualified individuals to serve as directors of the Nisg̱a’a Valley Health Authority.

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BACKGROUND

• In July 2015, the elected representatives of Wilp Si’ayuuḵhl Nisg̱a’a requested that the Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government Executive review the manner in which Nisg̱a’a health services were delivered. 
• The Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government Executive undertook an internal health system review and retained an objective, external consulting firm to perform the review and to prepare a report with recommendations to Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government.   
• In conjunction with this review, Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government oversaw a comprehensive health population survey in November and December of 2016.  As a result of this health survey, the Nisg̱a’a Valley Health Authority has a population health status profile which will allow them to target health services and track health outcomes for the Nisg̱a’a Nation in the years to come.
• In early-2017, the Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government Executive received and considered the final report and recommendations flowing from its health systems review.  Specific recommendations related to updating the membership and board structure of the Nisg̱a’a Valley Health Authority through amendments to the society’s bylaws. 
• The first update was to make the Nisg̱a’a Nation as represented by the Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government Executive the sole member to allow for a closer relationship between Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government and the society. 
• The second update was to empower the Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government Executive to appoint all directors to the board of the Nisg̱a’a Valley Health Authority, in order to provide for the appropriate mix of education and experience
• Representatives of Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government met with the board of the Nisg̱a’a Valley Health Authority in March 2017
• The board of the Nisg̱a’a Valley Health Authority was supportive of the initiative and draft amended bylaws were prepared.  The board of the Nisg̱a’a Valley Health Authority called a meeting of the members of the society to be held on June 29, 2017, to consider the proposed amended bylaws. 
• The members of the Nisg̱a’a Valley Health Authority considered and unanimously adopted the proposed amended bylaws of the society at the June 29^th meeting.  On October 20, 2017, the Supreme Court of British Columbia confirmed the validity of this unanimous vote by the society’s members, and shortly thereafter the Minister of Health (British Columbia) provided final approval to the proposed amended bylaws under the Hospital Act. 
• The bylaws were filed and became effective on November 6, 2017.
• On November 23, 2017, the Nisga’a Lisims Government Executive met to consider candidates for appointment to the board of the Nisga’a Valley Health Authority.

Media Inquiries:

Communications & Intergovernmental Relations

Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government – (250) 633 3000 – communications@nisgaa.net