We Are the Change We Seek: Leading Indigenous Health in British Columbia

Amanda LaBoucane is a Métis citizen and mother of two strong Métis–Ojibwe daughters. Born and raised on Coast Salish lands, she has lived and worked in Indigenous communities in both rural and urban settings.

The importance of preserving cultural teachings and traditions in all aspects of daily life inspires Amanda’s commitment to embedding Indigenous cultural safety and humility into health care. Her work focuses on transforming the health-care system to address Indigenous-specific racism through strength, determination, political acumen, kindness, and heart.

Amanda joined Fraser Health in 2017 and currently serves as the organization’s Interim Vice President of Indigenous Health. Her leadership within the Indigenous Health portfolio unites an exceptional team delivering clinical services and advancing Indigenous cultural safety programming and education across the health authority.

She holds a Master of Public Health from Simon Fraser University and a Bachelor of Science from the University of the Fraser Valley. Amanda is completing her Master of Business Administration at Simon Fraser University and is a past member of the Canadian College of Health Leaders.

Dawn Thomas is a proud member of the Snuneymuxw First Nation on Vancouver Island. Her traditional Nuu-chah-nulth name is Aa ap waa iik, which loosely translates to “The one who says the right words about chiefly business.”

Dawn joined Island Health in June 2020 and is responsible for enabling and facilitating system transformation and service delivery improvements that enhance the wellness, health, and care provided to all Indigenous peoples across the Island Health service area, including First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and non-status Indigenous peoples—both on and off reserve. She is also instrumental in leading the organization’s cultural humility journey, supporting continuous growth, and fostering cultural safety at all levels.

In 2021, Dawn was seconded to the Ministry of Health as the Interim Associate Deputy Minister (ADM) of Indigenous Health and Reconciliation. She was the first Indigenous woman to hold this senior role within the provincial government and played a key role in introducing the In Plain Sight report and its recommendations into the ministry’s work. Her leadership in the province’s and the B.C. health system’s initial response to In Plain Sight, the relationships she developed during this time, and the Indigenous-led and informed practices she brings back to Island Health continue to guide and advance efforts to address Indigenous-specific racism.

As Vice President, Dawn engages with a wide range of senior internal and external partners to foster effective partnerships and create the conditions for culturally safe service delivery. She leads the organization’s approach to culturally informed governance and decision-making, partnering with Indigenous communities to develop and implement progressive, relevant, and culturally safe policies and practices for both patients and Indigenous staff.

Dawn brings more than 20 years of experience working with Indigenous children, families, communities, and leadership to Island Health. She previously held senior leadership positions with the B.C. government at the Ministry of Children and Family Development and the Office of the Representative for Children and Youth, where she served as Deputy Representative.

She holds a Master of Arts in Dispute Resolution and a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care, both from the University of Victoria.

Joe Gallagher guides the further development and evolution of PHSA’s Indigenous Health and Cultural Safety Strategy, leads the delivery of cultural safety and humility education, and supports PHSA’s Indigenous Health and Human Resources Plan.

Joe is Coast Salish from the Tla’amin First Nation and has made extraordinary contributions to B.C.’s health-care system over the course of his career. He was the founding Chief Executive Officer of the First Nations Health Authority—the first and only health authority of its kind in Canada—and served as CEO from 2009 to 2019. Prior to this role, Joe held senior leadership positions in several governmental and First Nations organizations, working in areas such as health care, community development, economic development, and intergovernmental affairs.

A recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal, Joe holds an Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) from the University of Victoria and has provided executive-level consulting support to B.C. health regulatory colleges and other institutions as they work to address Indigenous-specific racism and advance cultural safety and humility in health-care settings. He also co-authored Now You Know Me: Seeing the Unhidden Truth in Settler Colonialism, received a Leadership in Quality Award from Health Quality BC, and most recently was honoured with the Trail Blazer Award from Native Education College.

Leslie Varley is a committed First Nations social justice advocate with over 30 years of experience working with and for Indigenous peoples. Known for her innovative solutions, she specializes in Indigenous-specific leadership and capacity development approaches that bring long-lasting, progressive, and actionable change—resulting in improved social and health outcomes for Indigenous people.

Inspired by her own experiences as an MBA student, Leslie, as the former Executive Director of the British Columbia Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, collaborated with the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business to develop a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Advancing Reconciliation—an initiative designed to strengthen reconciliation-focused leadership within the not-for-profit social services sector.

As the first Indigenous Director of the Provincial Health Services Authority, she led the development of San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety, a cutting-edge, decolonizing anti-racism training program for B.C. health authority personnel. The introductory curriculum has since trained more than 100,000 Canadians.

As Chair of Central City Foundation—Vancouver’s oldest foundation—Leslie leads efforts to advance truth, justice, and reconciliation, including redeveloping CCF properties to provide housing for Indigenous women and advancing land back initiatives by returning property titled to Central City to its original land keepers.

Leslie’s Nisga’a formal name is T’en De-entkwill Allugigat, which translates to “Servant Leader for Indigenous People.” She belongs to the Gisk’aast (Killer Whale) house within the Nisga’a Nation through her mother’s line and identifies as a Nisga’a Nation member and Canadian.

Leslie walks and hikes daily, tends a large garden, and enjoys reading and writing short stories.