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 Aboriginal 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 advice on a wide range of issues.

The AHIC will be facilitated initially by the Health Service Administrator 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 and area
• Prince Rupert and area
• Terrace and area
• Smithers and area
• Lakes / Omenica and area
• Quesnel and area
• Fort St. John/Hudson's Hope/Fort Nelson/Dawson Creek/Tumbler Ridge/Chetwynd/Pouce Coupe and area

Terms of Reference Template for AHIC Committees (to be modified to suit particular needs).

AHIC Evaluation January 2011