At the First Nations Health Foundation, our work begins with listening.
Over the past year, we engaged in conversations with First Nations community members, health and wellness leaders, partners, donors, and our Board of Directors to better understand how philanthropy can meaningfully support First Nations health and wellness across British Columbia. These conversations helped shape a shared understanding of the role the Foundation can play—not in defining solutions, but in helping create the conditions that allow communities to lead their own approaches to wellness and healing.
What emerged from this process is Our Pathway to Change.
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Why a “Pathway to Change”?
Many organizations describe their approach as a “Theory of Change.” We have chosen to describe ours as a pathway to reflect something living and evolving—shaped through relationship, learning, and shared experience.
There are many routes to wellness. Each Nation, community, and partner brings distinct knowledge, priorities, and strengths. Our Pathway to Change recognizes this diversity and reflects a commitment to walking alongside communities as they define and lead their own paths forward.
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Our Belief
We believe lasting health and wellness are realized when First Nations communities are supported to lead their own approaches to wellness and healing.
Philanthropy can play an important role by mobilizing resources, strengthening relationships, and supporting community-led priorities in ways that are flexible, respectful, and grounded in trust.
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How Change Happens
Our Pathway to Change reflects how the Foundation works in partnership with communities, donors, and the First Nations Health Authority to support long-term wellness.
Through philanthropy and partnership, we:
- Build and steward relationships grounded in respect and reciprocity
- Mobilize funding aligned with community-defined priorities
- Support initiatives shaped by local knowledge and lived experience
- Share learning and stories in ways guided by consent and relationship
- Strengthen the conditions that allow wellness to flourish over time
Alongside tangible outcomes, we recognize that meaningful change also includes cultural and relational outcomes—including strengthened trust, reduced barriers to funding, and deeper collaboration between communities and partners.
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Alignment with First Nations Health Authority
The Foundation works in collaboration with the FNHA to advance the long-term vision for First Nations health and wellness in British Columbia by supporting the comprehensive 10-year Strategy on the Social Determinants of Health that was launched in 2022.
Our work reflects the importance of the social determinants of health—recognizing that wellness is shaped not only by healthcare services, but also by connection to culture, land, community, housing, education, and belonging.
Our role is to complement public systems by mobilizing philanthropic resources that help advance community-led priorities and innovation.
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A Living Pathway
Our Pathway to Change represents a first expression of what we heard through many conversations and relationships. It is not fixed or final.
As the Foundation grows, we will continue to learn, listen, and refine our approach alongside the communities and partners we serve. We welcome ongoing dialogue and reflection as this work evolves.
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With Gratitude
We are deeply grateful to the many individuals and partners who shared their time, insight, and experience throughout this process. This pathway reflects a collective effort and a shared commitment to supporting First Nations-led health and wellness for generations to come.
Our Pathway to Change
A living pathway shaped through listening, relationship, and community leadership.
This pathway is shown as a circle because our work is grounded in relationship and continuity rather than a beginning or end point. The vision at the centre represents the wellness we are working toward together, while the surrounding elements reflect the ongoing work of listening, partnering, resourcing, and learning alongside communities.