A historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between the ‘Na̱mg̱is First Nation and Island Health to work collaboratively to support health services on Cormorant Island and the surrounding community.
A signing ceremony was held in Alert Bay on April 10, 2025, and was witnessed by Chiefs, Elders and community members.
“There has been a considerable amount of work that has gone into this MOU between our Nation and Island Health. We are very pleased that this agreement will establish a joint decision-making process and enable our Nation to fulfill its goal of having a healthy and stable community for the long term,” said Chief Victor Isaac, ‘Na̱mg̱is Chief Councillor. “By working together with Island Health, we will proactively shape the future of health care services that will better meet the needs of everyone in our community.”
In 2018, the ‘Na̱mg̱is First Nation took over the lease agreement for the land and authorized the building and operation of the Cormorant Island Community Health Centre (CICHC) to Island Health. The MOU outlines a joint, long-term vision to collaborate and support health care services provided on Cormorant Island with the Island Health owned and operated CICHC. The CICHC includes four acute-care beds, an emergency department, palliative care, and telehealth; connected to the CICHC is a long-term care home with 10 beds.
The MOU includes consideration of health services provided by the ‘Na̱mg̱is Health Centre, a primary care clinic, which is owned by the ‘Na̱mg̱is First Nation where individuals receive ongoing care such as general checkups, chronic disease management, reproductive and sexual health, disease prevention, mental health and wellness, and children's health.
“This MOU represents a significant step forward in our relationship with the ‘Na̱mg̱is First Nation, and we are grateful to work collaboratively together to support sustainable health care delivery on Cormorant Island,” said Leah Hollins, Island Health Board Chair. “This process also represents a critical step towards our organizational commitments of reconciliation and to improve the health outcomes of First Nations people by ensuring that we have accessible and culturally appropriate care across our region.”
As part of the MOU, a process will be established to oversee the negotiation of a Relationship Agreement to support the strategic partnership between the ‘Na̱mg̱is First Nation and Island Health for health care services on Cormorant Island. In the short term, working groups will initiate activities set out in the MOU with direct reporting to the ‘Na̱mg̱is Health Board and senior officials at Island Health.