Employees find purpose paddling together at FNHA

Satisfied employees often say the company they work for is like a family to them. At the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), Francine Gascoyne appreciates that sense of belonging.

“When you become an employee with FNHA, you become a part of the Wolf Clan,” says Gascoyne, a member of the Nuxalk Nation. “As an organization, we’re grounded in First Nations culture and in that tradition, family comes first.”

The FNHA is the health and wellness partner to First Nations people in B.C., including over 200 diverse First Nations communities. The organization delivers First Nations health and wellness programs and services across the province and its employees bring a First Nations approach to health and wellness.

The workweek at the FNHA begins with Mindful Monday, where employees are invited to gather in person or virtually to listen to the words of an Elder, preparing them for the week ahead. The event wraps up with the singing of the Coast Salish anthem.

“For me, it’s a good start to the week. It’s really grounding to share in the drumming and singing and the dancing and to hear the language,” says Gascoyne.

“That’s one of the main things for me, knowing that I can tap into those traditional ways of who we are as First Nations people.”

Gascoyne is a regional nurse manager working out of the FNHA’s Oyster Bay offices south of Nanaimo in the Stz’uminus First Nation’s traditional territory. For her, the best part of the job is getting out into the community and building relationships with clients and their families.

That people-first attitude is reflected throughout FNHA work culture, says Dr. Terri Aldred, medical director, primary care.

“People come into the organization because they’re called to the work and want to give back to communities and families and share our vision of creating healthy First Nations,” says Dr. Aldred, from the Tl’azt’en Nation. “We’re really passionate about trying to create a health system that uses the best of what the Western system has to offer, as well as incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing and being into how we support our medical staff.”

In addition to taking care of communities, the FNHA makes employee health a top priority. Gascoyne helps her nursing team by creating wellness plans tailored to individual employees’ needs. There’s also a strong emphasis on mental wellness and a robust employee family assistance program including access to cultural supports.

Employees are also supported by education and training programs within a First Nations cultural framework. Gascoyne says she’s benefited from these and the FNHA’s career planning and leadership training courses.

“I wanted the opportunity for growth within myself as a registered nurse and I knew I would get those opportunities at the FNHA, especially around education,” she says. “It allows me to serve the people better, as well as being very fulfilling.”

The sense of being part of a larger mission and an extended family inspires employees and clients alike, says Aldred.

“One of our sayings is, ‘How do we ensure that we’re all paddling together’. It’s part of the FNHA’s culture to cultivate people’s passion and drive so they can give of themselves and their gifts to help in a meaningful way,” she says.

Knowing she’s part of a comprehensive network that supports her professionally and provides cultural safety and professional development keeps Gascoyne motivated and planning a long-term career at the FNHA.

“Every morning, I wake up and I’m excited to go to work and see what the day has in store,” she says.

“I’m really happy in this work knowing that I’m supported. There’s always something that I’m learning.”

This article appeared in the magazine announcing this year's BC’s Top Employers winners, published February 11, 2025 in the Vancouver Sun. This article was prepared with the financial support of the employer, which reviewed but did not write its contents.