First Nations Health Directors Association

Annual Report (Digital & Print)

In the spring of 2021, I was contracted by First Nations Health Directors Association to write their annual report. Now, I'm not really an annual report kind of guy, but after a couple of chats I could see that the opportunity was there to do something different.

A run of the mill annual report would have bored me to tears. And a bored writer is a bad writer. With every project, I look for the "twist"; how I can make things different, unusual or unexpected. This is not only great for my clients, but it keeps me engaged and enthused.

2020-21 had been a year of extreme challenges for First Nations communities and Health Directors in British Columbia, with the opioid overdose/toxic drug supply crises, wildfires, flooding, COVID-19, and the discoveries of hundreds of unmarked graves at former Indian Residential Schools in BC and across Canada.

I had an absolutely incredible team to work with, including Sarah Temple of FNHDA and Vince Lee of TORA! Design, and I feel honoured that the FNHDA chose me to head this significant project. From the start, I mentioned that I really wanted to do something different and they were in complete agreement. I suggested that we reduce the amount of text significantly, and write the report in a more conversational tone. I proposed that I interview a number of Health Directors, and incorporate their own stories and learnings from the past year. I asked them questions about community, hope, strength, wellness and resiliency. We featured their responses throughout the digital Annual Report. A printed summary had traditionally been mailed to Health Directors. To change things up and to mark the significance of the 2020-21 period, we proposed that we design, print and distribute a keepsake book, predominantly featuring the Health Directors' quotes of hope and inspiration.

All involved are absolutely delighted with this unusual take on something that is traditionally fairly dry and boring. I've learned so much from the Indigenous people I've been working with, and have so much still to learn.

Link to digital version of keepsake book

My Contribution: Conceptual Direction, Interviewing Board Members and Health Directors, Copywriting
Client: First Nations Health Directors Association
Design and Production: Vince Lee / TORA! Design