The NFNECP operates through collaborative efforts by the First Nations University of Canada, the Assembly of First Nations and Health Canada.

First Nations University of Canada

The mission of the First Nations University of Canada is to enhance the quality of life, and to preserve, protect and interpret the history, language, culture and artistic heritage of First Nations. The First Nations University of Canada is a First Nations’ controlled university-college, which provides educational opportunities to both First Nations and non-First Nations university students selected from a provincial, national and international base.

Health Canada

Health Canada provides funding for the NFNECP and provides evaluation and technical services through the life of projects. These activities include developing contribution agreements, project data warehousing, program/project monitoring, program development, ensuring the scientific merit of projects, and various communication functions.

Assembly of First Nations

The AFN’s primary role with respect to the NFNECP is to provide guidance to the development of the program from a First Nations cultural and political perspective. The AFN provides a voice for the program consistent with their mandate as an advocacy organization concerned with First Nations rights and empowerment.

Program Management

The Program operates on an annual cycle. Projects are funded on a yearly basis. The program is directly administered by the First Nations University of Canada in consultation with Health Canada. The process includes a call for proposals (July), evaluation of proposals (November), selection of projects (January) and project funding.

Oversight of the program is provided by a National Steering Committee:

National Steering Committee

The NFNECP Steering Committee provides guidance and leadership in the strategic direction of the NFNECP. This guidance ensures that the program stays focused on effective First Nations community-based environmental health research. The goal of the sponsored research is to identify, understand, and, wherever possible, reduce the impact of environmental contaminants on the health and well-being of Canada’s First Nation Peoples.

The NFNECP Steering Committee reviews and authorizes the direction, policies, and operational processes of the Program. The Steering Committee’s purpose is to ensure that the NFNECP continues to be community focused, and driven by, for, and with First Nations.

NFNECP Steering Committee representation is based on participation from the three key partner organizations of the NFNECP which include Health Canada, the First Nations University of Canada and the Assembly of First Nations. The Steering Committee membership is structured to ensure that the NFNECP remains a First Nations driven program. The NFNECP Steering Committee is comprised of two representatives from each of the partnering organizations. In addition, two Elders (one female and one male), and two youth representatives (one male, one female) are selected by First Nations University.

Steering Committee Elders

Our Elders role with the NFNECP Selection committee is to:

Observe the selection process
Share wisdom and provide guidance, knowledge, and leadership
Help build consensus, set the “tone” for the meeting
Function as the NFNECP Selection Committee Conflict of Interest Coordinators
Encourage positive and productive dialogue among all participants

	Elder
	Elder Betty McKenna Elder Betty McKenna is from the Aninishnabae Nation, Shoal River Band. She is very knowledgeable on many traditional teachings, which she has learned from her grandmother and also from teachings from various other Elders. Elder Betty was appointed by former Premier Roy Romanow to the College of Physicians and Surgeons Council of Saskatchewan. She serves on the a number of committees, including the National Elders Advisory and Correctional Services Canada.
Steering Committee Members The Steering Committee for the First Nations Environmental Contaminants Program is responsible for oversight of the program Office and research selection process. The members are informed of program status and issues, and provide confirmation of direction in all policy issues. Steering Committee members also provide review and input of research proposals in the annual review process.
	Kim McKay-McNabb, MA Assistant Professor Doctoral Student – Clinical Psychology Programme Kim McKay-McNabb is a First Nations woman originally from Sakimay First Nation. She is the mother of four sons and one daughter and she is a wife. Kim is the coordinator of the National First Nations Environmental Contaminants Program that assists First Nations communities in response to the levels of exposure and human health impacts of environmental contaminants in their territories south of the 60th parallel. Kim is also completing the final requirements for her PhD in Clinical Psychology and plans to graduate in 2011. Her research interests are Environmental Health, Aboriginal Health, Aboriginal sexual health, Aboriginal communities and HIV/AIDs and End of Life Health Care with Aboriginal communities. She is a community-based researcher who believes in action-based research. Her involvement with community based research projects are of the most importance and she strives to assist and empower Aboriginal communities to heal and continue to have health and wellness.

	Dr. Constantine (Costi) Tikhonov (Health Canada) Chief, Research and Monitoring Environmental Research Division biography coming soon

	Geneviève Monnin (Health Canada) biography coming soon


Steering Committee Youth Members Our Youth Members provide valuable insight, from the perspective of First Nations youth, on the program and its operation. They also are learning to take on the leadership role within the community – thereby building capacity within the First Nations population.