After many years of hard work the FNHA is pleased to launch the Hope, Help, and Healing Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention Toolkit for First Nations communities.

This toolkit was developed for community health leads, Health Directors, community health workers, and others working in an area that touches on preventing and responding to suicide in their communities.

“Hope, Help, and Healing” intends to support planning efforts at the community, tribal council, Nation-based, and sub-regional levels and to support community workers in planning and developing a suicide prevention, intervention and postvention plan that can be used in their community.

The document you see before you is the combination of significant collaborative work, engagement, and commitment to better supporting communities in responding to and preventing suicide.

The Toolkit is available for download here and will be distributed to First Nations communities in the coming weeks! 

The “Lemedek Dance” (Potato Dance) contest, is a traditional competitive contest. At last year's event the crowd became exceedingly interested as the requirements to the contest became more and more challenging.

- Burns Lake event, June 21 Aboriginal Day of Wellness 2014

Are you looking to host a wellness event in your community this summer in celebration of National Aboriginal Day?

Last year 99 Aboriginal Day of Wellness events brought together over 20,000 people.

Community-based, partnership-focused, participant-driven applications will be assessed with fairness and equity within and across the regions.

Application deadline by email, fax or Survey link is April 23, 2015.

Visit our Webpage to apply

With 3 weeks to go until Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey VII registration has already surpassed 550 people. We are pleased to announce some new and exciting workshops. For the full agenda click here

The story of Ts'i'ts'uwatul' Lelum
(Home for Helping Each Other) Michele Nault McIsaac, Regional Assisted Living Manager, M'akola ILBC Housing Society.

The story of Ts'i'ts'uwatul' Lelum (Home for Helping Each Other) will share the development of a culturally appropriate Assisted Living Residence for Elders with Cowichan Tribes. This partnership between Cowichan Tribes, M'akola ILBC Housing Society and the Vancouver Island Health Authority is an example of how Assisted Living is now being recognized as a positive option in Seniors Health Care.

Fall Prevention for First Nations Elders: the SAIL Adaptation Project - Yasmin Yassin, Research Coordinator, Centre for Hip Health and Mobility

The Strategies and Actions for Independent Living (SAIL) Adaptation Project aims to integrate a prevention program into home support service delivery for Elders living on reserves in BC. This project is in partnership with the First Nations Health Authority and is supported by the Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, through a grant from the BC Ministry of Health.

Culture and Identity: A Road to Healthy Community
Joe Tom, Senior Cultural Worker, Nuu-chah-nulth Quu'asa Program & Michael J. McCarthy, Prevention and Training Coordinator, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council

First Nations communities and their people were stripped of their culture, artifacts, and land, and were purged of their collective and individual identities. In short, they lost identity, and, in the end, the only feelings that were coupled to their culture were ‘shame’-based feelings. Such is the net result of ‘identity trauma’. This presentation will focus on establishing a route back to healing and health, whether it be on an individual basis or as a community, through ‘culture’.

Visit the www.gathering-wisdom.ca website for all the latest and to register now!

The New Relationship Trust bursary applications are now open, and the scholarship applications will open on April 21, 2015! The FNHA has partnered with the New Relationship Trust to provide scholarships and bursaries to First Nations students pursing health careers.

There are four different levels of funding provided, depending on program length.  There are $2,000 bursaries offered to students pursuing trades, certificates and diploma programs, and scholarships in the amount of: $5,000 at the undergraduate level, $10,000 at the masters level, and $20,000 at the doctorate level.

Get all the info here!

Photo: FNHA Interior Staff and Interior Health Aboriginal Health Staff

On April 10, 2015 in T’kemlups te Secwepemc territory, FNHA Interior Region staff came together with the Interior Health (IH) Aboriginal Health Team with the intent of establishing a cohesive team with the common goal of improved services for Interior Nations.

The day was structured around learning about each organization including values, principles and structures. As the common values and principles of each organization were discussed it was recognized that these are the foundation for how we approach our work as a team.

There have been many achievements so far including the signing of Letters of Understanding with each of the 7 Nations in the region, and a Partnership Accord with FNHC and IH as signatories. Building on these achievements there was commitment from the FNHA and Interior Health to meet regularly to continue to improve communication and understanding.

The First Nations Health Benefits (FNHB) team has investigated health benefit plan designs, and examined the existing plan to identify new approaches and demonstrate how these options might work for the FNHA. These options have previously been shared with Chiefs and Health Directors at five regional caucus sessions in October and November 2014. We now look to engage the citizen voice in this important work... read more.

Hosted by Patricia Bell (RN), Home Care Nurse Advisor for First Nations Health Authority.

This UBC Learning Circle hosted workshop will assist educators, health and human service workers to identify and address Elder abuse. In this session you will learn to:

• Identify the signs and indicators of abuse;
• Prevent and stop Elder abuse in your community;
• Explore the re:act tools and resources; and
• Discuss roles and responsibilities of various agencies and services in preventing and responding to the mistreatment and abuse of older adults

All are welcome to attend this free webinar: healthcare professionals, counsellors, advocates, and community members helping community members.

Date: Thursday, April 30, 2015
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (PST)
Register Now

For maximum participation, please download and read this document before the day of the webinar/video conference:

Download the Reading Material

Request for Proposal - Community Survey Contractor

Medical Transportation Program Assistant (May 1)

Payroll Supervisor (May 1)

Senior Project Coordinator - Cancer Care (May 1)

Medical Director (April 22)

Senior Medical Officer (April 22)

Visit www.fnha.ca/about/work-with-us to view all opportunities.

BC Aboriginal Child Care Society - Researcher/Policy Analyst.

BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre - Director, Aboriginal Health, Women and Families