FNHMA and the Southern Chiefs’ Organization Establish the FNHMA Manitoba Network
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On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, the First Nations Health Managers Association (FNHMA) and the Southern Chiefs’ Organization Inc. (SCO) signed a Letter of Understanding (LOU) to formalize their commitment to collaboration in advancing First Nations health leadership and management across Manitoba by establishing the FNHMA Manitoba Network.
The FNHMA is a national voluntary not-for-profit professional association that provides leadership in health management activities by developing and promoting quality standards, practice, research, certification, and professional development to expand capacity for members and First Nations.
The SCO represents 32 Anishinaabe and Dakota Nations in what is now southern Manitoba, and more than 87,000 citizens. Established in 1999, SCO serves as an independent political forum to protect, preserve, promote, and enhance First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process. SCO is actively transforming health, justice, and child welfare systems, while protecting the waters and environment, and continues to work toward reshaping health care services to close the growing gap in life expectancy for First Nations citizens.
SCO and FNHMA recognize the importance of shared efforts in advancing First Nations health leadership. The LOU establishes the FNHMA Manitoba Network, a regional platform for coordination, knowledge exchange, and professional development.
Through this agreement, the Parties commit to collaborate in three key areas:
Strategic Alliance Initiatives – advocating for investment in human resource development and training for those employed in, or aspiring to, First Nations health leadership roles.
Partnership Initiatives – co-developing and delivering programming, workshops, publications, and tools that respond to local needs and support ongoing health system transitions.
Shared Services Initiatives – leveraging resources to reduce duplication and create efficiencies in areas such as human resources and procurement.
This partnership reflects the spirit of cooperation and a shared vision to strengthen, support, and sustain First Nations health leadership and management capacity in Manitoba.
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