FNHA eBlast - 39th Annual Elders Gathering - We Can't Wait!, Generic vs. Brand Name Drugs – Which are better? Heiltsuk kids Crash N' Bump

39th Annual Elders Gathering - We Can't Wait!

Cliff Atleo Sr (FNHC), Stewart Philip (UBCIC), Lydia Hwitsum (Chair, FNHA), Isobel Mackenzie (Seniors Advocate, BC) at the 2014 Elders Gathering.

Over 4000 Elders and support workers are expected to attend the 39th Annual Elders Gathering in Tsa’wout Territory next week. The First Nations Health Authority is the official health and wellness partner to the event.

Health and wellness screening, a first-of-its-kind Elders Wellness Challenge, video booth and five health workshops are planned. Read all about it here.

Need to get in touch? Download our Handy Program Guide

The FNHA Programs and Services Overview and Contacts has been updated as a list of external facing FNHA contacts for First Nations communities in BC. Download it here.

'Crash N Bump' Gets Kids Moving and Loving It in Heiltsuk

Kids at work - Crash and Bump Program

Crash N Bump is a Maternal Child Health program that promotes playful exercise while developing children's bodies and minds. It's a fun, engaging way to enhance kids' physical and social development. One First Nation on the central coast has seen the noticeable positive effects in kids and has experienced participation rates like never before.

"When I see the anticipation and excitement of the kids – and the joy of the parents – it shows me that Crash N Bump is a success," says Keith Marshall, Health Director for Heiltsuk Nation, a community that has been running Crash N Bump since the fall of 2013.

Toddlers to pre-teens play, spin, climb, jump, crash and … bump into each other on an incredible assortment of equipment.

Read the full story here!

Generic vs. Brand Name Drugs – Which are better?

By Cindy Preston, FNHA Health Benefits Pharmacist

You may have had a conversation around your dinner table about generic drugs or heard the opinions of parents, siblings, aunties, or friends on the subject. Many of us have. Are generic drugs effective and safe? Are brand name drugs better? The ‘generic vs. brand name’ drug debate is a hot topic and one that is often not fully understood.

At the FNHA, we are committed to providing safe, effective and cost-effective medication. As FNHA Pharmacist lead, I would like to support you in sharing some facts about the issue for an informed discussion on the topic.

Read this blog here!

September 1st Deadline! Publish Innovative Wellness-Based Promising Practices in the International Journal of Indigenous Health

Community Templates and Editing Support Available!

Have you operated or supported a regional or community-based program with great success? Eager to share your promising practice with other Indigenous and First Nations communities? Engaged in fascinating research or have relevant findings in Indigenous health? Leave a legacy for your wellness-based practice at the community or academic level!

September 1, 2015 is the closing date to have your community-based or academic work submitted to the collaborative "Wellness-Based Promising Practices" thematic issue in the International Journal of Indigenous Health (IJIH). The University of Victoria and First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) are teaming up on this call to gather community-based articles, research articles, and research trainee articles from academic and community-based researchers and practitioners in Indigenous health.

Please share this call through your networks and find out more here!

Call for content: Spirit Magazine, the Women's Issue!

It’s that time again - the FNHA Spirit Magazine editorial team is gathering content over the summer months for its upcoming issue: The Women’s Issue!

Heard about a successful community-based women’s health initiative? Know of a regional or provincial health program that’s making a positive difference? Interested in sharing the story of a woman in your life/community?

Send your article ideas, created or curated content, photos, Elders’ Wisdom and any questions to Spirit.Magazine@fnha.ca

Please also share in your community!

Content will be accepted until August 31, 2015 and the issue will be published in late October 2015!

To read our previous issue of Spirit Magazine, the Men's Issue, click here!

That is One Hot Elder - Take the Time to Cool Down this Summer!

It's been a hot one so far in many communities across the province. The FNHA has put together some heat health tips to keep family members and friends safe and cool during the hot weather.

Take a look and stay cool out there!

"Come, Come, Dance With Me!" Verna Flanders' Journey for Reconcilation

It's Saturday morning, the sun is bright on the horizon and my early morning call to Verna Flanders at her home in the Comox Valley has turned out to be a great way to start the day.

Verna Flanders has just returned from Ottawa, where she and 34 FNHA-sponsored Indian Residential School Survivors were witness to and participated in the closing events of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

The highlights of her trip were numerous but she will be more known for when she looked at the other survivors on the “Walk for Reconciliation” and said, “Come, come, dance with me. Now we can dance, now we can wear our regalia, now we can sing our songs; we can speak our language, come and dance with me."

Unbeknownst to Verna this call to dance created a public sensation on social media. Over 250,000 viewers have witnessed her call to dance.

Read the full story and find the video link here.

Kwadacha and Tsay Keh Dene Communities train their first Certified Care Aides

An FNHA Telehealth success story

Eileen Ruth, Health Director for the northern community of Kwadacha, worked with FNHA Telehealth and Native Education College to develop and deliver training for Certified Care Aides for students in Kwadacha and Tsay Keh Dene.

With the help of Telehealth, community members were able to access training they wouldn't be able to do if they had to leave their communities. The students recently completed their home care practicums in Kwadacha and Tsay Keh Dene and are in the home stretch of doing a final clinical experience in a residential care facility in Prince George.

In July, Kwadacha will have its first two Certified Care Aides, Dana McCook and Farrah Pierre. Elaine McIsaac will be the first in Tsay Keh Dene.