About the First Nations Public Service Secretariat

Who We Are

The First Nations Public Service Secretariat’s (FNPSS) mission is to strengthen and enhance capacity in First Nations communities and organizations, on an individual and Nation level.

What We Do

The primary purpose of FNPSS is to create and implement a collective plan to support BC First Nation communities and organizations across the core public service sectors as they pursue excellence in their own governments and administrations.

Through engagement with BC First Nations, FNPSS has identified three primary goals

01

Strengthen

Strengthen and support relationships between First Nations Leadership, administration, and communities.

02

Coordinate

Coordinate and strengthen human resource development for Nation workers in the core competencies: human resources, financial and information management, and policy development.

03

Support

Support and enhance human resource development efforts for Nation workers in a range of professional sectors such as health, education, children and families, resource management, etc.

FNPSS has identified four core pillars of public service capacity

Human Resources Management

Financial Management

Records and Information Management

Policy Development and Implementation

FNPSS targets its activities on supporting capacity building across those areas.

How we do it

FNPSS listens to BC First Nations to define our priorities and our work.

We bring First Nations experts and partner organizations together to make training opportunities more readily available to BC First Nations.

We develop new tools and training, and tailor existing ones to better meet the needs of BC First Nations.

We support coordination across organizations to avoid duplication and identify and address gaps.

fnpss-logo-w-bkgrnd

We are represented by an Eagle, a powerful symbol for First Nations, in particular the people of the Northwest Coast. The Eagle signifies focus, great strength, peace, leadership, and wisdom. These are traits embodied by those that serve their communities in First Nation administrations and traits we strive to incorporate in everything we do at FNPSS. The Eagle soars to great heights; FNPSS aims to give First Nation public servants the courage to soar too.

Our logo is the work of an Indigenous graphic designer, Robert Mearns, from Poho Studio. If you're looking for a designer and like what you see, contact him at info@poho.studio.

If you wish to use the FNPSS logo in your products, please contact info@fnps.ca for images and our brand guidelines.

The reality is that we already have a First Nations Public Service, but we don’t acknowledge it and work to make it effective and credible.

Our History

Our Future

FNPSS was founded in 2009 because BC First Nations Leadership recognized the need to support BC First Nations to build capacity in their administrations. Our aim is to assist BC First Nations to effectively and efficiently carry out their increasing decision-making powers, whether through greater jurisdiction, increased authority, or overall administration.

Since its re-establishment in 2018, FNPSS has reaffirmed its mandate and objectives through engagement with BC First Nations, and its mission continues to be supporting First Nations in BC to strengthen their own public service.

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Meet the Speaker - Robin Henry!

Robin is of Tlingit and Vuntut Gwitch’in ancestry and a citizen of the Teslin Tlingit First Nation in the Yukon Territory. He is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) and also has a BA in Social Sciences. To complement those designations, Mr. Henry is also a Chartered Director (C.Dir.), holds a certificate in Strategic Leadership from the UBC Sauder School of Business, and attended the AFOA Canada sponsored “Leading People and Investing to Build Sustainable Communities” at the Harvard Business School. Robin has 25 years’ experience in the senior human resource management position with several national, provincial and local First Nations and Indigenous organizations.
Robin is leading a workshop on Sucession Planning Training which is designed to help participants develop comprehensive strategies for identifying and nurturing future leaders and ensuring smooth transitions and long-term success.
... See MoreSee Less

Meet the Speaker - Robin Henry!

Robin is of Tlingit and Vuntut Gwitch’in ancestry and a citizen of the Teslin Tlingit First Nation in the Yukon Territory. He is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) and also has a BA in Social Sciences. To complement those designations, Mr. Henry is also a Chartered Director (C.Dir.), holds a certificate in Strategic Leadership from the UBC Sauder School of Business, and attended the AFOA Canada sponsored “Leading People and Investing to Build Sustainable Communities” at the Harvard Business School. Robin has 25 years’ experience in the senior human resource management position with several national, provincial and local First Nations and Indigenous organizations. 
Robin is leading a workshop on Sucession Planning Training which is designed to help participants develop comprehensive strategies for identifying and nurturing future leaders and ensuring smooth transitions and long-term success.

Meet the Speaker: Harmony Johnson!

Harmony Johnson, sɛƛakəs, is of the Tla’amin First Nation. Harmony is the Vice-President-Indigenous Wellness & Reconciliation at Providence Health Care, and operates a consulting business providing strategy, advisory, and project leadership services in Indigenous human rights, governance, data sovereignty, and issues of anti-Indigenous racism and discrimination. She teaches and writes in matters of Indigenous health and human rights, including print and digital books about her grandmother’s life history and Tla’amin teachings.

Harmony will be moderating the Plenary; Data at the Root of First Nations Governance. This panel will profile ways in which BC First Nations are advancing data capacity in their governments, and how this type of work is being further supported with services and funding of an emerging BC First Nations Regional Information Governance Centre.
... See MoreSee Less

Meet the Speaker: Harmony Johnson!
 
Harmony Johnson, sɛƛakəs, is of the Tla’amin First Nation. Harmony is the Vice-President-Indigenous Wellness & Reconciliation at Providence Health Care, and operates a consulting business providing strategy, advisory, and project leadership services in Indigenous human rights, governance, data sovereignty, and issues of anti-Indigenous racism and discrimination. She teaches and writes in matters of Indigenous health and human rights, including print and digital books about her grandmother’s life history and Tla’amin teachings.
 
Harmony will be moderating the Plenary; Data at the Root of First Nations Governance. This panel will profile ways in which BC First Nations are advancing data capacity in their governments, and how this type of work is being further supported with services and funding of an emerging BC First Nations Regional Information Governance Centre.

The First Nations Public Service Secretariat (FNPSS) is pleased to invite all BC First Nations to attend a free webinar designed to provide information on how to apply to the First Nations Well Being Fund!

The session is intended to be practical and will provide an opportunity for applicants to ask questions about the application process, guidelines, and documents you will need to submit your application. FNPSS staff will be on hand to walk you through the application form(s), identify the type and level of information required, and to answer any questions you might have.

Participation is NOT mandatory; however, applicants are strongly encouraged to participate.
To register for ONE of the sessions, select from the list of session dates below. Please note both sessions are the same.

Tuesday, November 28, at 12-12:50 PM: ow.ly/U1Rb50Q42ox

Thursday, November 30, at 12-12:50 PM: fnps-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUkd-qtpj4qEtS6veo_BjeT2jUwWzHbnzzp#/registration
... See MoreSee Less

The First Nations Public Service Secretariat (FNPSS) is pleased to invite all BC First Nations to attend a free webinar designed to provide information on how to apply to the First Nations Well Being Fund!
 
The session is intended to be practical and will provide an opportunity for applicants to ask questions about the application process, guidelines, and documents you will need to submit your application. FNPSS staff will be on hand to walk you through the application form(s), identify the type and level of information required, and to answer any questions you might have.  
 
Participation is NOT mandatory; however, applicants are strongly encouraged to participate.
To register for ONE of the sessions, select from the list of session dates below. Please note both sessions are the same. 
 
Tuesday, November 28, at 12-12:50 PM: https://ow.ly/U1Rb50Q42ox

Thursday, November 30, at 12-12:50 PM: https://fnps-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUkd-qtpj4qEtS6veo_BjeT2jUwWzHbnzzp#/registration

Meet the Speaker: Michelle Barroca!

Michelle is a records management, privacy and archives specialist with over 20 years of experience working with local governments and First Nations organizations throughout BC and Yukon. She has a Master of Archival Studies degree from UBC and worked for the cities of Burnaby and Kelowna for nearly 10 years before returning to the Kootenays and establishing FY Information Management Consulting. Michelle provides assessments, recommendations, documentation, training and support to various organizations and is a long-standing RIM facilitator with the FNPSS.

Michelle will be leading the Records and Information Management Assessment Toolkit: How-to Session. This session will provide participants with an introduction to the RIM Assessment Toolkit. This self-guided resource supports First Nations in conducting in-house assessments of their existing RIM situation to better understand what is working well, what needs improvement, and where to focus efforts to realize improvements that reflect RIM best practices.

Take a look at our agenda and register now: ow.ly/2lpO50Q2Cjq
... See MoreSee Less

Meet the Speaker: Michelle Barroca!
 
Michelle is a records management, privacy and archives specialist with over 20 years of experience working with local governments and First Nations organizations throughout BC and Yukon.  She has a Master of Archival Studies degree from UBC and worked for the cities of Burnaby and Kelowna for nearly 10 years before returning to the Kootenays and establishing FY Information Management Consulting. Michelle provides assessments, recommendations, documentation, training and support to various organizations and is a long-standing RIM facilitator with the FNPSS.
 
Michelle will be leading the Records and Information Management Assessment Toolkit: How-to Session. This session will provide participants with an introduction to the RIM Assessment Toolkit.  This self-guided resource supports First Nations in conducting in-house assessments of their existing RIM situation to better understand what is working well, what needs improvement, and where to focus efforts to realize improvements that reflect RIM best practices.
 
Take a look at our agenda and register now: https://ow.ly/2lpO50Q2Cjq

Meet the Speaker: Jamie Sterritt!

Jamie started his career at Klohn-Crippen Consultants in Vancouver, BC, where he became known for involving communities and using technology effectively. In 2005, he began Sa’hetxw Consulting, handling projects from technology and education to community development. He's now an expert in technology and Governance, blending traditional and modern knowledge with passion. He's from the Gitxsan Nation and serves on the Board of Governors for JIBC, FPCC and Creative BC.

Jamie will be leading a session on First Nations Leadership Public Service: Roles and Responsibilities. The session provides participants with a concise exploration of the roles and responsibilities within First Nation governments, helping attendees understand key functions and expectations in the field of governance and administration. This session will be delivered in two parts:

Part One: An overview of the functions and obligations of the Chief and Council and the tools required for the efficient execution of their responsibilities.

Part Two: The collaborative dynamics between the Council and their Administrator in promoting good governance, including understanding the Administrator's varied functions as the sole employee of Council.

View the rest of the agenda and register here: ow.ly/to4750Q1uXl
... See MoreSee Less

Meet the Speaker: Jamie Sterritt!
 
Jamie started his career at Klohn-Crippen Consultants in Vancouver, BC, where he became known for involving communities and using technology effectively. In 2005, he began Sa’hetxw Consulting, handling projects from technology and education to community development. Hes now an expert in technology and Governance, blending traditional and modern knowledge with passion. Hes from the Gitxsan Nation and serves on the Board of Governors for JIBC, FPCC and Creative BC.
 
Jamie will be leading a session on First Nations Leadership Public Service: Roles and Responsibilities. The session provides participants with a concise exploration of the roles and responsibilities within First Nation governments, helping attendees understand key functions and expectations in the field of governance and administration. This session will be delivered in two parts: 

Part One: An overview of the functions and obligations of the Chief and Council and the tools required for the efficient execution of their responsibilities. 

Part Two: The collaborative dynamics between the Council and their Administrator in promoting good governance, including understanding the Administrators varied functions as the sole employee of Council.
 
View the rest of the agenda and register here: https://ow.ly/to4750Q1uXl
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