The Partnership

Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority (NITHA) is the only First Nations Organization of its kind in the country. The organization is comprised of Prince Albert Grand Council, Meadow Lake Tribal Council, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, and Lac La Ronge Indian Band and each has extensive experience in health service delivery.

The Partners formally joined together in 1998 to create NITHA to deliver a service known as “Third Level” which are grounded in First Nation philosophy and principles and based on the following strategic pillars:

1. Policy Development/Standards/Protocols/Procedures
2. Data Stat Collection & Analysis (yearend reports in graph formats)
3. Developing Tools and Best Practices
4. Research and Analysis
5. Engaging Partnership
6. Training Second Level / Train the Trainer
7. Informing Partnership on new/changing communication and current trends

Governance

NITHA is guided by the mandate that “The Chiefs have the ability to speak with one united voice, thereby being stronger and more powerful in our insistence for health services responsive to the needs of our northern communities.

The Board of Chiefs are responsible for directing and overseeing the affairs and operations of NITHA and are involved in both strategic and operational planning for the organization; they meet on a quarterly basis. The Board of Chiefs is comprised of:

• Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) Grand Chief
• Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC) Tribal Chief
• Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) Chief
• Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) Chief

The Executive Council (NEC), comprised of the 4 Health Director, one from each Partner, provides operational and strategic direction through recommendations to the Board of Chiefs on the design and monitoring of third level services provided by NITHA. The NEC also provides direction and guidance to the NITHA Executive Director.

Our elders play an integral role in the operations of the NITHA. They provide the Board of Chiefs, the Executive Council and the various working groups with grounding in First Nations’ values and approaches to working with each other to serve the Partnership communities.

At the Board of Chiefs Table, there is one elder from each Partner present at all meetings. At the Executive Council meetings and the various working groups there is always one Elder present and this role is alternated amongst the partnership.