About Us
Position Summary
The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) is a diverse and transformational health organization of professional, innovative, and dedicated team members and leaders.
The first of its kind in Canada, FNHA works as a health-and-wellness partner with BC First Nations to support self-determination and decision-making to improve health outcomes.
Title: Family Physician
Contract: Contract up to a 0.5 FTE-typically 840 hours a year
Location: Gaw Tlagée Old Massett, Haida Gwaii
The salary range is per the 2024-25 Physician Master Agreement. Pre- determined rate ranges are per the Alternative Payments Subsidiary (APSA) Agreement. Visit https://www.doctorsofbc.ca/advocacy-policy/negotiations/agreements-contracts/alternative-payments for specific details on rates. Rural and Indigenous Incentives may apply based on eligibility. Family Physicians are not required to contribute to overhead and typically a renewable contract will be negotiated. Additional incentives may apply based on eligibility.
FNPCI Initiative
The First Nations-led Primary Care Initiative (FNPCI) aims to improve access to primary health-care services for First Nations people across BC in a way that is culturally safe and closer to home. The FNPCI is part of the province’s primary care strategy, which is integrating team-based care in communities throughout B.C. and changing the way primary care is delivered with the creation of primary care networks in partnership with the Regional Health Authorities.
To meet the health and wellness needs of First Nations people, it is very important that primary care be culturally informed where Indigenous ways of knowing and being are woven into services. The aim is for clients to feel safe, welcomed, valued, respected and heard when they access care services at one of these centres.
About The Centre
Niislaa Naay Healing House Society, located in Gaw Tlagée Old Massett, Haida Gwaii, is a well-funded organization in the early stages of operating as Primary Care Clinic. It serves the community of Old Massett and neighboring areas, offering a wide range of interactive programs and services. These include traditional wellness, mental health, community health, maternal health, home care, youth services, dentistry, patient travel, and access to visiting specialists. Many of its programs embrace a land-based healing approach, deeply rooted in the culture and traditions of the Haida people.
The Niislaa Naay Healing House Society Physician will provide care for Haida people. Services are designed to provide wraparound, team-based primary care, with mental health and traditional wellness services. It is expected that the centre will initially operate Monday to Friday (excluding Statutory Holidays) during regular business hours (this may change over time due to operational needs).
About The Role
The Family Physician (FP) will be the most responsible provider for a patient panel but is expected to collaborate in team-based care for patients and support the practice of Western and Traditional Wellness approaches to patient health. A minimum panel size is typically expected to reach 325 per 0.5 FTE by year 3 and will be confirmed in the clinical service contract. The Family Physician will be expected to travel on a pre-arranged schedule to different sites to be available for appointments within the community in keeping with the First Nations value of services closer to home.
Responsibilities
The Family Physician will be responsible for practicing with cultural humility, to provide primary care in a culturally safe, team-based environment that recognizes the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the client (and family) to provide whole person care, in compliance with policies and procedures of acceptable BC health and wellness regulations and standards.
About You
- You are passionate about supporting First Nations individuals and families on their health and wellness journeys;
- You have an active practicing license in good standing with the College of Physicians of BC (CPSBC);
- You have training in Cultural Safety & Humility or are willing to take this training;
- Ideally you have experience working with First Nations people and communities and providing culturally safe care.
- Current valid driving license and willingness to occasionally travel to sites throughout Haida Gwaii
Why Work at the Niislaa Naay Healing House Society
- We provide services while being grounded in four of the Xaads Xiináangaa Haida ways of being:
- Yahgudáng – Respect
- Ahl Kyáanáng Tláang - To Ask First
- Tll yahda – Make it Right
- Gin ’wáadluuwaan Gud ahl Kwáagiidang – Everything Depends on Everything Else
What Makes Us Unique
- What happens to communities and people we serve happens to us—we care for and respect one another.
- What happens to us happens to community and the people we serve—we strive for excellence and believe Haidas deserve the best we have to offer.
- We are wellness champions.
- We have the historic opportunity to achieve transformative change in First Nations health & wellness for our people, and an obligation to make the most of this opportunity.
- We are for change makers. Those who are called to act, open to cultural understanding and teachings, and undaunted by unique challenges.
- We are a young organization, still growing and fast changing.
- We provide meaningful work rich with transformational learning opportunities.
- When you work at the Niislaa Naay Healing House Society, you will truly make a difference in your life and for many others.
- We work together, not apart, with our beautiful and culturally rich First Nations communities in British Columbia.
Why live in Haida Gwaii
Xaadáa Gwáay Haida Gwaii, an archipelago off the northern Pacific coast of British Columbia, is a place where nature's raw beauty meets the timeless heritage of the Xaadée Haida people. Comprised of two main islands—Graham Island in the north and Moresby Island in the south—along with around 400 smaller islands, this stunning region offers a breathtaking tapestry of rugged coastlines, lush forests, and vibrant ecosystems. At the northern tip of Graham Island lies Gaw Tlagée Old Massett, a community deeply rooted in the rich traditions of the Xaadée Haida people, who have called this land home since time immemorial.
Visitors to Xaadáa Gwáay Haida Gwaii often find themselves captivated by its wild splendor and the profound sense of connection to the land's ancient stories.
The First Nations Health Authority is committed to respecting diversity within our workforce; preference will be given to individuals who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis.
First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) is a first of its kind in Canada and joining our team means being part of a collaborative, diverse and compassionate organization committed to innovating, transforming and redesigning health service delivery for First Nations communities in BC. Leading with culture, all FNHA medical staff are encouraged to continue with their cultural safety and humility learning and engagement activities. A range of relevant courses are available to medical staff.
How To Apply
If this sounds like the opportunity for you, please email medical.affairs@fnha.ca .
Anticipated Hire Date: March 2025
For more information about us, please visit: www.fnha.ca/about/work-with-us
For information about Cultural Safety and Humility (fnha.ca) and for information about Land Acknowledgements
If you have any inquiries or issues please contact FNHA Medical Affairs at Medical.Affairs@fnha.ca
Follow us at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram
