​Nicholas Saunders appointed chairman of Grey Bruce Board of Health

Nicholas Saunders (above) of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation has been appointed chairman of the Grey Bruce Board of Health, as of Dec. 20, for a one-year term.

Saunders is the first Indigenous chairman of the board and likely the first Indigenous person to serve as board chairman of a public health unit in Ontario. His appointment comes as Grey Bruce Public Health continues its journey toward reconciliation and as it works, with the guidance and support of local First Nations leaders, on its ongoing efforts to foster and strengthen the relationships between public health and local First Nations communities, partners, and residents.

“I am honoured to have been chosen by my board of health colleagues to serve as chairman,” said Saunders. “I welcome the opportunity to continue to shine a light on the significant health inequities and challenges experienced by Indigenous people as a result of the colonial structure, which greatly impacted the determinants of Indigenous health.

“I look forward to helping to advance the work of Grey Bruce Public Health, aimed at addressing the social determinants of health, removing barriers to improved health outcomes, and advocating for solutions to the challenges facing Indigenous communities and other marginalized populations.”

Grey-Bruce medical officer of health, Dr. Ian Arra, chief executive officer of public health, said Saunders is a highly respected and dedicated member of the board who brings a wealth of board and lived experience to the role of chairman.

“I have been lucky enough to experience first-hand his love and passion for the community and dedication to improving the health and well-being of all residents of Grey-Bruce,” said Arra. “I am often inspired by his ability to reflect on and draw from his life experiences in order to make balanced, meaningful decisions. He approaches issues with a rich understanding of the community and how decisions will impact various populations and segments of society.”

Saunders joined the board of health as a non-voting member in 2020, representing the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. In April, 2023, he was named a provincial appointee to the Grey Bruce Board of Health.

During his time on the board, Saunders has helped to amplify the voices of Indigenous residents on issues impacting their communities. He was a leader in developing a motion, submitted by Grey Bruce Public Health and the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and sponsored by the Association of Local Public Health Agencies, that calls on both the provincial and federal governments to provide immediate, adequate support to enable Indigenous communities to respond to the opioid epidemic.

Entitled “Creating a Provincial Strategy for Indigenous Opioid Epidemic Supports and Funding,” the motion notes a lack of mental health and addictions funding awarded to Indigenous communities by different levels of government to aid in the opioid crisis, compounded by chronic homelessness and poverty, has resulted in a substantial and disproportionately negative impact on Indigenous people.

Saunders’ term as chairman will continue until December, 2025.