KO AU KO KOE, KO KOE KO AU

This delegation included health professionals from four urban Indigenous health centres that serve nearly 50% of the First Nations population in Vancouver. These centres, currently operating under the name First Nations Aboriginal Primary Care Network, were officially established as a legal entity in February 2024. They are in the process of receiving a gifted name from their sovereign Nations, reflecting their evolving journey.

Their kaupapa is all about enhancing holistic healthcare by weaving together cultural traditions and Western medical practices. They’re working hard to self-govern their own healthcare, overcome policy challenges, and strengthen their data sovereignty so they can take a more wellness-based approach. Their visit to Aotearoa was about sharing learnings and seeing how Indigenous-led initiatives here are doing things differently—especially when it comes to data, community-led services, and integrating health and social care for better outcomes.

We were especially lucky to welcome cultural leaders among the group, including the grandson of the well-known Chief Dan George. The wisdom and history they brought with them reinforced the importance of Indigenous-led solutions in health and social services.

A powerful and emotional moment during the visit was the performance of the haka "Hine Taketake," composed by Mihirangi Wātihi and performed alongside our wāhine kaimahi. This haka was performed in honour of the missing women and children of the First Nations people, with a special tribute to Monica Kwiigee, whose daughter Shaylanna has been missing since 2020. It was a deeply moving experience that acknowledged the shared struggles and resilience of Indigenous communities across the world, strengthening the bond between our whānau here and those in Canada.

Throughout their time with us, we shared kōrero on how He Waka Tapu integrates health and support services, our approach to culturally informed data collection, and how we embed our values into everything we do. Our mahi aligns closely with what the delegation is striving for, and it was a powerful exchange of ideas and experiences.

This visit was more than just a meeting—it was about whanaungatanga, learning from each other, and strengthening the commitment to Indigenous-led health and wellness. We’re grateful for the opportunity to connect, and we know this won’t be the last time our whānau across the moana come together to support each other in this space.