BC's Top Employers (2026) Magazine - Magazine - Page 46
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BC’S TOP EMPLOYERS (2026)
Culture is key at the First Nations Health Authority
I
n past jobs, Richard
Yeomans-Richardson would
start his Mondays quietly at
a desk or in a cubicle. Since
joining the First Nations
Health Authority (FNHA), his
week begins with Elders opening
the day with drumming. He joins
the other members of the FNHA
Wolf Clan to sing together and set
intentions for the week ahead.
“Mindful Mondays are where
we all get together in person and
on video to orient us as a group,”
says Yeomans-Richardson. “It’s
part of the organization’s cultural
inclusion in the workplace. I think
it really benefits my mental health
to feel that connection.”
We mentor you and
get you prepared for
the work you’re going
to lead, and you’ll find
that at all levels.
— Gary Housty
Chief Nursing and Allied
Health Officer
Headquartered in West
Vancouver on the traditional and
unceded territory of the Squamish
Nation, FNHA is Canada’s first
and only province-wide, First
Nations-led health and wellness
organization. It provides health
services to more than 200 First
Nations communities across
the province, many in remote
areas. Employees take a holistic
approach to emotional, physical,
mental and spiritual well-being.
The First Nations Health Authority is committed to advancing culturally-safe health care across British Columbia.
As a First Nations career partner,
Yeomans-Richardson supports
students and new graduates
applying for positions in FNHA’s
cohort-based experiential learning
programs. He oversees the Raising
the Canoe First Nations student
program and the Firekeepers First
Nations new graduate program,
offering guidance to help
candidates succeed.
“The best part for me is the
conversations with new people.
I’m very much communityoriented and I like person-toperson meetings,” he says. “I love
trying to support them on their
journey and provide that extra
step for the communities
we serve.”
Support is the cornerstone of
FNHA’s holistic, First Nationsbased approach to employee
wellness and career development,
says Gary Housty, chief nursing
and allied health officer.
“We mentor you and get you
prepared for the work you’re going
to lead, and you’ll find that at all
levels,” says Housty.
“We’re nimble and small enough
as an organization that we can
always keep our eye on supporting
people to grow and to change
roles. It speaks to the mission
and the vision of the organization
in promoting wellness and
supporting community-driven
health service solutions.”
FNHA prioritizes employees’
physical and mental health with
generous wellness benefits,
flexible work schedules and
time off. And there are also extra
touches, something that YeomansRichardson appreciated when
he returned from an unexpected
leave to find his work had been
taken care of.
“It’s a really collaborative
environment within each team,
whether it’s finding a solution or
deciding how to move forward in a
good way. We support each other,”
he says.
Culture is deeply woven
into FNHA’s fabric. Employees
are supported by Elders and
traditional Knowledge Keepers,
who ground the work with
