A cluster of respiratory infections that first appeared in Wuhan City, China in December has been attributed to a new coronavirus. The first confirmed case in British Columbia was discovered just this week, however the risk to British Columbians and Canadians is currently considered low. The BC Centre for Disease Control and provincial and federal authorities are monitoring the situation closely. The FNHA is in contact with these agencies and shares updated information from them on our website. 

Read more here.

As the founding First Nations Health Authority Chair in Cancer and Wellness at UBC, Dr. Nadine Caron will examine the journeys and unique needs of Indigenous cancer patients, survivors and their families. The new position aims to address the disparity in cancer health outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in B.C.

Read more here.

Highlight photos from Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey X! On January 14-16th, 2020 Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey X, was hosted at the Vancouver Convention Centre and celebrated the ten year milestone of Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey!

View the Facebook album here.

Learn more here: http://gathering-wisdom.ca/

If you are looking for a specific photo please get in touch with info@fnha.ca

Political and health leaders gathered in each of the five health regions this fall. Here are reports on these assemblies:

Fraser Salish
Interior
Northern
Vancouver Coastal
Vancouver Island (report with launch of new video on rural health care coming in the Feb. 14 newsletter)

The Province and the FNHA are collaborating on a unique partnership to provide temporary housing near medical facilities for those who are travelling for health care from remote communities in northern BC. The agreement will reserve temporary housing in existing BC Housing buildings that are close to medical centres in Prince George and Fort St. John for FHNA clients who need to attend medical appointments. Additional locations could be added in the future.

Read the news release here.

With the excitement of the holidays in the past but the long, cold, dark days of winter still very much with us, it’s not a surprise that this is a time when our moods can take a dip with the temperatures. It’s a good time, therefore, to talk about mental health and wellness. This message from Dr. Nel Wieman, Senior Medical Officer, Mental Health & Wellness for the FNHA, offers information, tips and resources for being mentally healthy.

Read the message here.

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. First Nations women in BC are 92 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer than non-First Nations women, and survival rates are generally lower. Learn more in this message from Dr. Unjali Malhotra, Medical Officer, Women's Health at the FNHA.

Read the message here.

Dementia is a brain condition with no known cure, and the incident rate in Indigenous populations in BC is 34 per cent higher than in the general population. Learning about it is part of the solution. To that end, the FNHA and the Gitxsan communities of Kispiox and Sik-e-Dakh have developed a video to help educate First Nations audiences about things to look for and how to get help if they think someone they know may be developing dementia.

Read more and watch the video here.

Researchers in Simon Fraser University’s Faculty of Health Sciences are teaming up with the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council and the FNHA to lead a new project aimed at improving the development and health of Indigenous children. It uses two-eyed seeing, a way of integrating Indigenous and Western forms of knowledge.

Read more here.

The FNHA's Dr. Patricia Vickers, Director, Mental Wellness Clinical Services and Ryan Moyer, Program Consultant, Mental Health, have won the Healing Our Spirit Worldwide Inaugural Maggie Hodgson award for an article they wrote about the FNHA's Healing Complex Trauma training program.

Read more here.

The First Nations Health Authority is currently recruiting an Interior Regional Appointee board member. The Board of Directors collectively works for all BC First Nations, regardless of residence. Qualified First Nations individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.

Find out more here.

Indigenous End of Life Guide Four-Day Certificate Course - offered by Douglas College and the FNHA, this unique course is aimed at Indigenous individuals who have been or will be called upon to voluntarily provide care, support and advocacy for someone who is facing the end of their life.

Webinar: Indigenous health practitioners and evidence-based practice – The National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health is hosting this webinar Feb. 11 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Aboriginal Health and Community Administration - This award-winning certificate program at UBC is designed for those working in Indigenous communities who want to increase their community’s capacity to deliver services, coordinate programs, and promote the health of their people. The registration deadline for the next session is Feb. 21.

BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants - Network planning grants help communities develop active transportation network plans to support active transportation for all ages and abilities. Application deadline is Feb. 20.

Equipment Grant - I·SPARC (The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council) is accepting applications for its winter edition of the Equipment Grant Program until Feb. 26. All First Nations, Métis Chartered Communities and Friendship Centres are eligible to apply for the equipment grant for up to $1,500. 

Aboriginal Diabetes Conference – Registrations are open for the twentieth annual conference, which will be held in Penticton March 16 – 19.

Healing Through Music Workshop – Music producer Darren Brule offers a two-day hip-hop for youth as part of their healing journey to cope with bullying, trauma, abuse, violence, and addictions.

Community Health & Home Care Nurse
Location: Tseycum, Vancouver Island
Deadline: 2020-02-04

Director, Procurement, Contracting & Funding Arrangements
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: 2020-02-09

Community Engagement Coordinator
Location: Carrier South - Prince George
Deadline: 2020-02-09

Strategic Events Manager
Location: Park Royal, West Vancouver
Deadline: 2020-02-11

Practice Consultant, Serious Illness and Palliative Care
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: 2020-03-30

Manager Environmental Public Health Services - 1 year term
Location: Melville office, Vancouver
Deadline: Ongoing

Social Worker
Location: Victoria - Tsawout
Deadline: Ongoing

Senior Specialist, Health Governance
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: Ongoing

Find all job postings on our website.

Home Care Nurse
Organization: Dease River First Nation
Location(s): Dease River
Deadline: Open until filled
Job description

Mental Health and Addictions Services Clinician
Organization: Kwakiutl Health Centre
Location(s): Port Hardy
Deadline: Open until filled
Job description

Occupational Therapist
Organization: Ts’ewulhtun Health Centre
Location(s): Duncan
Deadline: Open until filled
Job description

Clinical Care Nursing Navigator
Organization: Lillooet Tribal Council
Location(s): Lillooet
Deadline: 1/31/2020, 11:55:00 PM
Job description