SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba

Honourable senators, they are also the guests of Senator McPhedran. I want to acknowledge the exemplary work of the staff and senior management team of the First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba, or FNHSSM, whose compassion, determination, expertise and integrity are central to advancing FNHSSM’s mandate.

I bear witness and pay tribute to the brilliance, strength, professionalism and commitment of the staff — three of whom are in the gallery — who work at FNHSSM in partnership with 63 First Nations, 7 tribal councils and 3 provincial-territorial organizations in Manitoba.

FNHSSM continues to serve as a trusted organization supporting First Nations across Canada through culturally grounded programs, protecting First Nations’ values and strengthening community-led approaches to health and wellness. FNHSSM’s role as a regional health hub is grounded in unity and lived experience, while facing increasing pressures that include environmental emergencies, workforce challenges, funding limitations, jurisdictional complexities and evolving policy environments.

Their work remains grounded in First Nations’ knowledge, inherent and treaty rights, and the responsibility to support First Nations in advancing health and social well-being through practical, realistic and culturally grounded approaches.

FNHSSM advances data sovereignty efforts through repatriation of health and social data to build a secure data repository to support First Nations with their data needs and steer First Nations wellness research in Manitoba.

The Regional Social Survey is a new survey focusing on the well-being of First Nations children and families living on‑reserve and in northern communities. The questionnaire reflects the themes and areas of culture, language, child well‑being, family well‑being, parent-caregiver well-being, community well-being, economic well-being, early learning and education, food, child care and housing. FNHSSM delivers many other programs, but time won’t permit me to mention them.

I thank the dedicated staff and management at FNHSSM — the research, advocacy and health partners and the nine Chiefs on the board of directors — for their work, their commitment to stable governance and their focus on improving long-term health outcomes for Manitoba First Nations people.