COAST SALISH TERRITORY – VANCOUVER, B.C. – Experts attribute ongoing and historic colonization, trauma and dispossession of lands and resources as contributing to the impacts of the overdose public health emergency for First Nations peoples in B.C. Preliminary data released today point to emerging trends that First Nations peoples are overrepresented in this health emergency, similar to other health indicators driven by the social determinants of health.

First Nations leaders and health experts propose four broad action areas to guide a systems-wide response to address the opioid overdose emergency in partnership, starting from the highest level of acuteness. All actions must include culturally safe and trauma informed responses as they are implemented.

Read the full release and find the preliminary findings on our website here. 

With wildfires continuing across the province, stay up-to-date with information on evacuation orders, health and traditional wellness supports, emergency services, and more on our website: www.fnha.ca/wildfire.

Find information on returning home after wildfires here

Read Communique Ten: Information for Wildfire Evacuees here

Effective October 1, 2017, First Nations in BC will join BC PharmaCare, the province’s largest drug insurance program. A new PharmaCare plan, Plan W, has been designed specifically for First Nations. BC PharmaCare helps BC residents with the cost of eligible prescription drugs and certain medical supplies, and pharmacy services. It provides assistance through several drug plans.

Through this transfer, FNHA clients will see their prescription benefits services move from Health Canada’s present system to PharmaCare. This transition is intended to reduce the steps needed for prescription coverage approval for First Nations clients who must sometimes navigate both federal and provincial services.

Read more here. 

Starting October 1, 2017, PharmaCare will take over processing prescriptions for all FNHA clients to better support them in
meeting their wellness goals.

Find out more about the move to PharmaCare and how we can prepare clients, health care providers and staff for the impending change.

August 15, 10:00am to 11:30am

Presenters from First Nations Health Authority:

• Darren McKnight - Director, Health Benefits Management
• Cindy Preston - Pharmacist, Health Benefits
• Davis McKenzie - Director of Communications and Public Relations

Find out more here. 

The First Nations Health Authority is pleased to announce the winners of its 'Youth Respecting Tobacco' Video Contest. Casey Sampson, Ida Williams and Wesley Edwards of Stz'uminus First Nation of Vancouver Island – all in grade 6 at Stz'uminus Community School – worked as a team to create the winning video. They have won a total of $1,000 for their video Stz'uminus Respect Tobacco PSA.

"I felt awesome when I found out that we won. It was fun making the video – taking the pictures was my favourite part," said Casey Sampson. "I don't think smoking is a good thing and that's one of the reasons I wanted to make a video."

Read more here! 

The video contest continues until August 31 when another winner will be announced. All the contest info is here: www.fnha.ca/youth.

Esk'etemc Commitment Sticks are symbols of a personal commitment to live violence free and a commitment to actively stop violence against Indigenous women and girls.

The Fraser Salish Region is offering a grant for amounts up to $1,000 per Community to promote continued support of the Commitment Stick promise. Please complete the application form and submit to: corinne.dixon@fnha.ca

Application deadline is September 1, 2017.

Find out more here.

Water is an integral part of life, community and well-being. To help protect and celebrate the importance of water, particularly drinking water, in your community, the First Nations Health Authority Drinking Water Safety Program would like to invite First Nations communities in BC to submit a proposal for a community water awareness day event!​

Find out more here. 

Yúusnewas is an Indigenous peer-led education program that provides workshops on HIV and sexual health in communities across British Columbia. They approach the topic of sexual health by centering Indigenous perspectives and incorporating traditional teachings.

They provide workshops on HIV, Hep-C, Harm Reduction, Sexual Well-being, and Decolonizing our Sexuality, and are currently booking workshops for Fall 2017.

Book your workshop with Kayla Mitchell by email kaylam@youthco.org or phone 604-688-1441! 

The Lifelong Connections fund provides up to $4,500 for community events and activities that raise awareness of permanency for Indigenous and Métis children and youth. The activities can take place up to March 31, 2018.

All Indigenous and Métis organizations in BC who provide child and family services can apply! Apply at www.lifelongconnections.ca by the deadline of September 13th, 2017.

Trauma informed health practices are the latest buzz words in the health field. The new is really the old. Teachings of the Elders and the practicing of these teachings have been the saving graces for many Indigenous Nations, amidst the adversity of historic trauma and the resultant complexities of grief and loss and lateral violence.

The webinar resources from "What's new is really old: Trauma informed health practices through an understanding of historic trauma", delivered by Dr. Patricia Makokis and Dr. Margo Greenwood on April 21, 2017, are now available online.

Find it here!

Are you an Indigenous artist interested in working with schools? Would you like to inspire curiosity and learning in young people across the province through your creative practice? Do you want to learn how to integrate the BC curriculum and help activate learning in classrooms through art?

The cost for artists selected to participate is fully subsidized, covering tuition, program materials and lunch. This opportunity is made possible through funding support from BC Arts Council and the Government of British Columbia's Creative Futures program.

Find out more here.

PeopleSoft 9.2 Automated Testing Software
Closing Date: August 11, 2017 at 4PM PST

Medical Director/ Physician Advisor/ Primary Care – Physician Leader
Closing Date: August 14 , 2017 at 4PM PST

Collaborative Project Manager Specialist​
Closing Date: August 10, 2017 at 4 PM PST​

Regional Health Survey Report Content Writers​
Closing Date: August 4, 2017 at 4 PM PST​

Find information on all Procurement Opportunities here

Regional Mental Wellness Advisor
Location: Vancouver Island
Deadline: August 14, 2017 at 4 PM

Clinical Nurse Specialist, Addictions
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: August 14, 2017 at 4 PM

Dental Therapist
Location: Northern Region
Deadline: August 11, 2017 at 4 PM

Child & Youth Systems Navigator
Location: Prince George
Deadline: August 7, 2017 at 4 PM

Child & Youth Systems Navigator
Location: Cawston
Deadline: August 7, 2017 at 4 PM

Business Analyst
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: August 11, 2017 at 4 PM

All Job Descriptions located here

Home Care Nurse
Organization: Tles'qox (Toosey Indian Band) Yunesit'in (Stone)Location(s): Toosey and Stone, BC
Deadline: Aug 20, 2017 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Home and Community Care Nurse
Organization: Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council
Location(s): Port Alberni, B.C.
Deadline: Aug 11, 2017 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Mental Wellness & Substance Use Worker
Organization: T'it'q'et Administration
Location(s): Lillooet, BC
Deadline: Open
Job description

Aboriginal Justice Facilitator
Organization: Prince Rupert
Aboriginal Community Services Society
Location(s): Prince Rupert, BC
Deadline: Open
Job description

Aboriginal Youth Community Connections Coordinator
Organization: Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association
Location(s): Surrey BC
Deadline: Open
Job description