FNHA’s Board of Directors has announced Monica McAlduff as the next CEO, effective March 1, 2025. 

“Monica has a proven track record of innovative Indigenous health leadership, upholding FNHA’s mandate, shared vision and 7 Directives, and a passion for advancing the wholistic health and well-being of First Nations in BC,” said Dr. Sheila Blackstock, FNHA Board Chair. “FNHA’s Board of Directors are certain that Monica McAlduff’s leadership roles and experience as a health provider, her commitment to improving First Nations wellness and her contributions to advancing cultural safety and humility throughout the health system provincially and nationally, position her for success in leading FNHA through this next phase of its journey.” 

We are excited to announce that as of January 20, 2025, Celeta Cook stepped into the role of Executive Director, Public Health Response within our provincial team! 

Celeta has been an integral part of our Island family for the past 8 years, providing exceptional leadership in planning, project development, and health program services. She has worked tirelessly to support our regional families (Kwakwaka’wakw, Coast Salish, and Nuu-Chah-Nulth) and her commitment has made a lasting impact across our communities.

Her knowledge,  skills and regional experience will be a valuable asset for our provincial Public Health Response team! We are so proud of her accomplishments and look forward to continuing our work with her in this new capacity.

Wishing you all the best, Celeta – we’re excited to see you inspire and lead with excellence in this new chapter of your career journey. 

‘I ch ‘uw ’uy’ ‘ul. ‘Een’thu p’e’ Hw the’lh, tthunu s-hwunitun’alh sne’ Anita Seymour tun’ni tsun ‘utl’ Sa’muna, ‘I’kwumluhw ‘utl’ Stz’uminus, Tsartlip & Ditidaht. Kwthunu men Qwulshemut tun’ni’ ‘utl’ Sa’muna’ lhunu tenulh Saleliye’naat tun’ni ‘utl’ Stz’uminus. Kwthunu sta’lusth Ts’ut-suwenuhw tun’ni ‘utl’ Stz’uminus & Quw’utsun. T’xumulu tthunu me’munu ‘I’ na’nuts’a ‘I’muth. 
‘I’ tsun ‘uw’ ‘iyus ‘ul ‘uw’ hwu’I’namut.

Hello my Indian name is Hw the’lh, my English name is Anita Seymour. I am from Somena, Stz’uminus, Tsartlip & Ditidaht. My father is Qwulshemut from Somena. My late mother is Saleliye’naat from Stz’uminus. My husband is Ts’ut-suwenuhw from Stz’uminus and Cowichan. I am a mother of 6 and have one grandchild. 

I am a Cowichan Tribes Band member who was born and raised in the Cowichan Territory. I’m honoured to be offered the position Community Coordinator, Crisis Response for the Coast Salish Region with First Nations Health Authority. I have worked in Health Care for the last eleven years working with Island Health Home & Community Care, Chemainus Long Term Residential, Sunridge Place & back in 2015 I accepted a casual position with Cowichan Tribes Ts’ewulhtun Health as a Personal Care worker with Elders and in 2017 I, accepted the Community Health Representative position until accepting this positon.

I’m culturally active with our Coast Salish Culture during the winter months. Spring & Summer months are typically spent on the sidelines supporting my children with their extra curricular activities either assisting in coaching or enjoying moments of being a spectator. 

Cheers to new beginnings and working relationships.     

Email: Anita.Seymour@fnha.ca

I am honoured to have the opportunity to join the FNHA as a Registered Nurse, and I take pride in being part of the FNHA team. In my role as a Nurse Consultant for Harm Reduction Services, I can dedicate my nursing career to an organization that champions culturally safe care while addressing the toxic drug crisis.

I am of Métis, English, and Scottish ancestry, and my family maintains a strong connection to our historic Métis Community.

Before joining the FNHA, I worked for the Correctional Service of Canada and AVI Health and Community Services. This professional experience provided me with valuable knowledge about prescribed alternatives to the toxic drug supply and the resources available to those struggling with the harms associated with substance use and concurrent mental illness. I view harm reduction as a broad term that encompasses many different meanings. I believe that harm reduction is adaptable, creative, evidence-based, and rooted in solidarity. Most importantly, it meets people, families, and communities wherever they are on their healing journey.

I am grateful to have spent my childhood in the Okanagan and now reside on Vancouver Island. I have a small hobby farm with chickens, goats, and dogs, and these animals bring me so much joy. I enjoy traveling, spending time with friends and family, and I love being outdoors and in nature as much as possible. Although I am not very good at it, I also enjoy surfing.

Thank you for the opportunity to work alongside you. I look forward to learning from everyone and being a valuable member of the FNHA team.

Email: Shela.Ratcliffe@fnha.ca

Click the link below to read our Pink Shirt Day article.

The Mental Health & Wellness and Toxic Drug teams came together for an opportunity to connect and reflect on the important work they do within the communities they serve.

The day was filled with reflection, learning, and team-building activities that sparked many laughs and deepened understanding among peers. These activities provided a space for the teams to share highlights, challenges, and opportunities, allowing for meaningful discussions about the work environment. By sharing these experiences, the teams gained valuable insights into how we can address and overcome potential barriers. This collaborative process is essential in helping us work more effectively alongside the communities we serve.

Looking ahead, the teams are hopeful that this gathering will become a recurring event in some form. It provides a strong foundation for continued development, aligning our shared work and guiding the creation of work plans and team priorities.