On September 9 and 10, 2026 Lac Seul First Nation hosted Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA) 2026 Annual General Meeting at the Lac Seul Events Centre. Chiefs, proxies, presenters, Elders, drummers, SLFNHA Board members, staff, and observers came together over two days to reflect on the past year and look ahead to the work still in front of the organization.
The meeting opened with a land acknowledgement from Board Chair Cynthia Fiddler, followed by an opening ceremony song from the Lac Seul Drum Group, an opening prayer from SLFNHA Elder Thomas Spade, and a community welcome address from Chief Clifford Bull of Lac Seul First Nation. Co-Chairs Wallace McKay and Brenda Fox guided the meeting through both days.
Day one included the Chiefs Council on Health Report from Chief Donny Morris a special thank you to Chief Bull who is retiring from the CCOH, SLFNHA Executive management reports from SLFNHA leadership, and the presentation of the 2025–2026 audit. Members also reviewed and accepted the 2025–2026 Annual Report and Audit Report, selected the auditor for the coming year, and received an update on the SLFNHA 2022–2027 Strategic Plan Evaluation. The day closed with a Chiefs Forum, giving Chiefs the opportunity to speak directly on matters facing their communities.
Day two turned the focus toward partnership, with presentations from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, the Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre Indigenous Steering Committee, and Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), including a health transformation update from Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler. During this address, Grand Chief Fiddler shared news of the death of Miranda Mamakwa with delegates, and a joint statement from SLFNHA and NAN demanding accountability into the circumstances of her death was drafted and released that same day, in partnership with NAN. The Cat Lake First Nation Pilot Project with Tyto Care and the Sioux Lookout Regional Physician Services Inc. Governance Review were also shared with members. The meeting closed with resolutions, gifts presented to guests and participants, and closing remarks from SLFNHA Board Chair Cynthia Fiddler.
More than 80 people registered to take part, representing communities across the region. SLFNHA thanks Lac Seul First Nation for hosting this year’s gathering, and thanks every Chief, Elder, presenter, drummer, and community member who took the time to attend and take part in the discussion.
SLFNHA’s next Annual General Meeting will take place September 8 and 9, 2027, at the Lac Seul Events Centre.
Miigwetch to Lac Seul First Nation, and to everyone who helped make the 2026 SLFNHA AGM possible.
