Manitoba Board of Director Election 2024

FNHMA members in good-standing for the 2023-2024 membership year are eligible to vote in this election. Please submit your vote before 5:00 PM (ET) on October 18, 2024.

Candidate Biographies:

James Bone - My name is James Bone and I’m the Health Director for the Keeseekoowenin Treaty 2 Ojibway First Nation Health and Wellness Centre. I have been the Health Director for 22 years, starting in May of 2002. I am also a certified Health Manager since 2013. Since this is an Election year for the First Nation Health Managers Association Board Member, I am running for the next 2-year term as your Board Representative for Manitoba.

As a candidate I will be highlighting my experience as to why I feel that I have the qualifications to be your representative for Manitoba at the F.N.H.M.A. Board. Presently, I am your elected representative on the F.N.H.M.A. Board as a Board Member for Manitoba and have experience conducting board business on your behalf. I provided updates on F.N.H.M.A. activities at the Manitoba First Nation Health and Social Secretariat Health Directors gathering when opportunities arise, including the S.C.O. Health Directors Gatherings. I will continue providing updates when opportunities arise at Health Director Gatherings. I live the competencies’ and the Seven Sacred Teachings in my day-to-day planning, and deliverance of Health Service at the Local, and regional levels as many of you may have witnessed. To demonstrate morally correct leadership, I exercise Professionalism and Diplomacy when dealing with people that I encounter on a day-to-day basis. This is how I abide by the Ethical Standards and Code of Conduct of the F.N.H.M.A. I have also led the health centre that I work in with a strong sense of integrity, as this is also a core value for myself, and my team at the Keeseekoowenin Health and Wellness Centre where I work. As a long-time Health Director, I am knowledgeable about First Nation Health issues locally, regionally and nationally; which is useful in bringing Manitoba items to the National tables. Furthermore, my knowledge and experience assist me to sit as a subject matter expert with F.N.H.M.A. on many topics of discussion.

I strongly support the development of partnerships Locally, and Regionally with our Provincial Health Centre parts. An example of this is the Mobile Clinic Bus that now comes to First Nation Communities within the Prairie Mountain Health region to provide Clinical Services to our Community Members. As a result of its success in Prairie Mountain, this Mobile Clinic Bus is now being modelled in other Health Regions in Manitoba. Furthermore, the implementation of this service was a result of me raising the issue of Hospital and Clinical facilities closing down adjacent to First Nation Communities. My political knowledge, experiences and savviness also influenced and played a role in the success of this partnership.

My leadership skills also assisted my community to be successful in securing new funding for new Programs such as Maternal Child Health and Jordan’s Principle. These two important programs have made a huge difference on improving the health and lives of our children in the community. I also used my extensive leadership skills to guide our community through the COVID-19 pandemic that started in 2020. Leading our Health Centre staff, as well as all other parties that were needed, we successfully kept our community safe, for as long as possible. We also provided up-to-date information, as well as quick and timely services for those who were in contact with the virus.

I also participated in the First Nation Health Service Delivery Videos showing Manitoba success and also ensured that it was filmed in our Province and not other regions. This Video was aired and made its debut at a F.N.H.M.A. Gathering in Toronto. I also participated in town hall sessions which discussed topics related to the COVID pandemic.

Due to my approach for Health and Social Wellness, Knowledge, Professionalism and Diplomacy, I am a respected Peer amongst the Manitoba Health Directors. Furthermore, I am an Advocate and Champion of Professional Development and live by that competence. I am also committed to life long learning.

As a long-time Health Director, I am fully aware of all the health issues that we are challenged with Locally, Regionally and Nationally. When it comes to dealing with Federal or Provincial Health Officials I am very vocal but use diplomacy when speaking to them about the Health issues that face our First Nations. As a Board Member I will be your advocate and voice at the National level. At this time, I am humbly and respectfully asking for your support and vote in the next upcoming First Nations Health Managers Association Board Election in September. My voice will be your voice.

Cynthia Garson - I am a Cree member of Treaty 5 of Ochekwi Sipi Cree Nation, Manitoba. I am a mother of 2 children and a very proud grandmother (mam) of 4 beautiful grandchildren. I began my nursing education in early 1989 at Brandon University. I am an active Certified First Nations Health Manager since 2014.

The following information provides a glimpse of my health career both in nursing and health management pathway that will assist in deciding my nomination as the suitable candidate to represent the Manitoba region within the First Nations Health Managers Association's Board of Directors.

My career pathway describes my knowledge, experience and dedication to First Nations health care delivery and health human resourcing. - Fisher River Cree Nation, HCCP Nurse - Swampy Cree Tribal Council/Cree Tribal Health, Client Services Coordinator - First Nations & Inuit Health, Program Manager - Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Pilot Nurse Coordinator - Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Regional Director - Fisher River Cree Nation Health Services, Director of Health - Interlake Reserves Tribal Council (IRTC), Director of Health - Ochekwi Sipi Personal Care Home Fisher River Cree Nation, Executive Director