International Overdose Awareness Day is meant to be a day to reflect on the people in our lives who use substances, including those we have lost to the spirit world. It can also be a time to learn about how we can support the conversations that we have around substance use. This can be a difficult topic to discuss, especially with those closest to us, but we need to keep in mind that supportive conversations are an essential part of healing journeys for us all.

When we are supporting people who use substances, it is important to focus on building relationships based on safety and trust, not judgment and shame. We can help create important connections for people in our lives who use substances. There is no perfect formula for having these conversations, and talking is just as important as listening. This list of Do’s and Don’ts is a good place to start.

Read more here.

Dr. Shannon McDonald, FNHA Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Knowledge Keeper, Rebecca Duncan – Squamish Nation took part in a Facebook Live event on Aug. 31 to remember and honour those we have lost to overdose. 

International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held on August 31st each year and aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of drug-related death. The day acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends who have lost loved ones.

Overdose Awareness Day spreads the message that the tragedy of overdose death is preventable and that overdose can affect anyone.

Watch the FNHA International Overdose Awareness Day video message and moment of silence here. 

You can learn about overdose prevention and how harm reduction can save lives at www.fnha.ca/overdose

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.

Join the next PharmaCare Transition Webinar on Thursday, September 7 at 10-11:30 a.m.

Click here for more info. 

Visit the Pharmacare section of our website for more information and to watch past webinars here.

Have you read the FNHA's Returning to Your Home After Wildfires resource? 

This information is a collection of health and safety considerations when returning and restoring your home. This document is intended to be broad-serving and not all of the information may apply to your situation.

Read and download it here. 

As wildfire smoke continues to be present in many areas of the province - read and download health information tips for those in proximity to wildfires here. 

​​​​Educating ourselves and each other is one of the best ways to help prevent overdose. We encourage all community members, staff and partners to print and circulate any and all of the FNHA overdose materials. 

Find them here.

September 6 - Noon to 1 p.m.  

Join Lesley Bonshor from Vancouver Coastal Health as she discusses how to transform and work within a regional health authority in the area of cultural safetry and humility. 

This webinar will include expanding on how to bring cultural safety and humility into practice and how to hardwire an Indigenous lens into all actions. 

Find out more here! 

The FNHA and UBC Okanagan are looking for Indigenous fathers to join us for a two-day facilitator training program in Kelowna on September 13-14. At the completion of the training program, you will be certified as trained Dads In Gear facilitators, and will be able to bring this training program back to your communities.

Dads In Gear aims to reduce the use of commercial tobacco among Indigenous men. Dads in Gear is a distinctly original program tailored for fathers and grandfathers that supports smoking cessation (commercial tobacco), healthy living (physical activity/health eating) and positive engagement with children and youth. The cost of these sessions, as well as transportation, lunches, and accommodation, is covered by FNHA.

If you are interested in attending, or have any questions, please contact Benjamin Rolph at FNHA, Benjamin.Rolph@fnha.ca.

The Canadian Red Cross is looking for people in Williams Lake, 100 Mile House, and Kamloops who are interested in helping people impacted by the BC wildfires. This includes volunteers and paid positions.

Find out more here. 

First Nations Safety Council of BC is hosting a conference in Vancouver September 14-15. The FNSC is a Health and Safety Association that aims to create a legacy of safety leadership and environmental oversight by supporting BC First Nation and Aboriginal workers, communities and enterprises in achieving the highest standard of occupational, health, safety and environmental management.

The keynote speaker this year is Senator Murray Sinclair, who has dedicated a substantial career to Human Rights and Aboriginal Law. Senator Sinclair was the first Aboriginal judge in the province of Manitoba and was appointed as the Chief Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee. 

Registration for the conference is still open. Find out more here. 

Join the 2017 Walk for Reconciliation in Vancouver on September 24. A positive movement to build better relationships among Indigenous peoples and all Canadians. This bold vision calls on everyone of all ages, all backgrounds, all cultures and all faiths to come together as communities and as individuals.

Start Location: Queen Elizabeth Plaza, 650 Cambie Street

Start time: 9:00 am
Walk route: 2km
Expo site: Strathcona Park, Vancouver BC
Time: 10:00am-3:00pm

Find out more here. 

Enterprise Content Management
Closing date: September 5, 2017 4 PM PST

Medical Director/ Physician Advisor/ Primary Care – Physician Leader
Closing date: September 11, 2017 4 PM PST

Delivery Options and Program Operations - Phase 1​
Closing date: September 13, 2017 4 PM PST​

​​Meeting & Event Venues: Hotel Accommodation & Conference Services for Underserviced Areas
Closing Date: December 29, 2017 4:00 pm Pacific Time

More info and all procurement opportunities here: www.fnha.ca/about/work-with-us/procurement

Manager, Surveys & Data Secretariat
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: September 1, 2017 at 4:00PM

Clinical TB Nurse Advisor
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: September 4, 2017 at 4:00pm

Student, Community Health & Wellness Services
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: September 4, 2017 at 4:00pm

Project Manager
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: September 6, 2017 at 4:00pm

Research Advisor (1 Year Term)
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: September 8, 2017 at 4:00pm

Research & Knowledge Exchange Student
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: September 8, 2017 at 4:00pm

Administrative Assistant
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: September 11, 2017 at 4:00pm

Health Benefits Pharmacy Assessors
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: Open until filled

View the job descriptions, more postings and apply online here.

Generalist Clinical Counsellor
Organization: Hailika’as Heiltsuk Health Centre Society
Location(s): Bella Bella
Deadline: Sep 22, 2017 by 11:55 PM
Job description

Nation Health Administrative Assistant
Organization: Nlaka'pamux Nation
Location(s): Merritt, B.C.
Deadline: Sep 13, 2017 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Intensive Family Preservation Clinician
Organization: Carrier Sekani Family Services
Location(s): Prince George
Deadline: Sep 8, 2017 by 11:55 PM
Job description

Health Director
Organization: H'ulh-etun Health Society
Location(s): Chemainus, B.C.
Deadline: Sep 8, 2017 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Wellness Coordinator - Southern Stl’atl’imx Community
Organization: Vancouver Coastal Health
Location(s): Vancouver Coastal
Job description

See all community and partner postings here.