A message from Dr. Shannon McDonald, FNHA Acting Chief Medical Officer

You may have heard this week that a well-known provincial ferry service in BC announced a smoking ban on all vessels and at all terminals. Concerns about second-hand smoke from customers means that smoking (including e-cigarettes and marijuana) is banned across all their properties. This announcement reflects our society's decreasing tolerance for second-hand smoke and the movement towards smoke-free spaces.

I want to take this opportunity to remind Indigenous people in BC that there are heavy consequences to smoking and that there are many resources and support aids, as well as much information, available to help you or your loved ones quit smoking commercial / non-traditional tobacco.

Read more here. 

David Archie, Traditional Wellness Coordinator - Secwepemc Health Caucus

Ren Skwekst David Archie Stswecemc/ Xgattem re stekwen. My name is David Archie I am from Canoe Creek/ Dog Creek.

Addiction was modelled to me from a very young age. I saw it in the media, in society and experienced it in my family. Little did I know that there were so many messages in my life that I wasn't good enough and that I needed something outside of myself to belong. The pressure of not being good enough began to take hold. I started smoking in my late teens as it was the cool thing to do. Though I was very active in many sports I followed the crowd to fit in.

Read the rest of this blog here.

On October 1, 2017 FNHA clients joined a newly created Plan W (Wellness) within the PharmaCare system.​ In the creation of PharmaCare Plan W we learned a lot from clients and health care providers regarding how to continue to improve our processes. Lessons that provide an important foundation as we look to transform dental, vision and other benefits areas.​

Read more on the first ninety days here. 

Happy New Year! As the FNHA's Chief Medical Officer, I am writing to let you know about changes that are happening this month in the Office of the Chief Medical Officer.

FNHA's CEO Joe Gallagher and I are pleased to share that Dr. Shannon McDonald, our Deputy Chief Medical Officer, has agreed to serve as Acting CMO from January to July 2018, while I take a personal leave of absence. I have had the honour of serving as the FNHA's CMO from December 2014 to now, but am stepping away for a while to recharge.

Read the full post here! 

​Are you 16-25 years old? 
Do you enjoy travelling, meeting new people, and learning new skills? 
Do you want to make a positive difference in your community and amongst your peers?  Have you been personally affected by suicide?

You could be a founding member of the BC Youth Leading Youth Advisory Committee for Life Promotion.

The FNHA, in partnership with Fraser Health Authority and the Canadian Foundation for Health Improvement, is calling out to all Indigenous youth in British Columbia who are doing amazing work to make positive Life Promotion (also known as Suicide Prevention) Leadership changes in their communities.

Find out more here! 

Harm reduction involves a range of non-judgmental approaches and strategies to enhance the knowledge, skills, resources, and supports for individuals, their families, and communities to make informed decisions to be safer and healthier.

Indigenous Harm Reduction grants provide for Community-Driven, Nation-Based innovative and culturally relevant responses to the Opioid Public Health Emergency, both on- and off-reserve.

Find out more here. 

The first-ever FNHA Mental Health & Wellness Summit will take place February 7-8, 2018 at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver. The Summit offers a glimpse at promising and wise practices that tackle issues deeply affecting the mental health and wellness of First Nations communities in BC.

FNHA invites two representatives from each BC First Nations community working in mental health- and wellness-related roles (i.e. health director, mental health worker etc.) to register and FNHA will reimburse travel expenses. General attendees are welcome to attend at their own expense.

Find out more here. 

Silent Enemy is a comic designed to provide education and awareness to youth about cancer. It was developed on request of a First Nations community and created in partnership with Healthy Aboriginal Network, Cancer Care Ontario, University of Victoria and FNHA. 

Read and download it here. 

To request hard copies, email: resources@fnha.ca 

Do you enjoy working with people? Are you wanting an opportunity to create new connections and friendships? Are you looking to provide help and direction? Become a member of the Gathering Our Voices Volunteer Team!

The event is an excellent opportunity to positively impact Indigenous youth and make a difference in the community. Special volunteer opportunities include being a Venue Guide, providing meal assistance, and helping out at cultural events like the Youth Talent Show and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. We would love to have your support! 

Register now www.gatheringourvoices.ca

Victoria Native Friendship Centre’s LGBTQ2 Aboriginal Youth and Allies Conference is taking place February 15 and 16, 2018. This Conference is 100% free and open to all youth up to age 24 years. Hotel discounts are available as well as food provided at the Conference.

To Register, please contact:

Kim Rumley - kim.r@vnfc.ca or
Debbi Boylan - debbi.b@vnfc.ca

Director, Learning & Development
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: January 28th, 2017 at 4:00pm

Learning & Development Coordinator
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: February 2, 2018 at 4:00 pm

First Nations Addictions Care Coordination Lead (Term)
Location: West Vancouver/FNHA and Vancouver/BCCSU
Deadline: February 2, 2018 at 4:00 p.m.

Health Benefits Assessor, Jordan’s Principle (Term)
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: February 2, 2018 at 4:00 pm

Assistant Children's Oral Health Initiative Specialist
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: February 4, 2018 at 4:00 p.m.

Community Health Nurse, Resource Team
Location: Northern
Deadline: Open until filled

Community Health Practice Consultant (Term)
Location: Fraser Salish & Vancouver Coastal
Deadline: February 9, 2018 at 4:00 p.m.

Clinical Counsellor, Mental Health & Wellness (Outreach)
Location: Vancouver Island
Deadline: February 9, 2018 at 4:00pm

Find all our job postings on our website here.

Coordinator
Organization: Saanich First Nations Adult Care Society
Location(s): Brentwood Bay
Deadline: Feb 23, 2018 by 12:00 PM
Job description

Home Care Nurse
Organization: Ulkatcho First Nation
Location(s): Anahim Lake, BC
Deadline: Feb 22, 2018 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Social Worker
Organization: Namgis First Nation
Location(s): Alert Bay
Deadline: Feb 14, 2018 by 4:30 PM
Job description

Resolution Health Support Worker
Organization: Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society
Location(s): Lantzville
Deadline: Feb 5, 2018 by 11:55 PM
Job description

Health Manager Assistant
Organization: Pacheedaht First Nation
Location(s): Port Renfrew
Deadline: Feb 2, 2018 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Aboriginal Fathers Engagement Coordinator
Organization: Métis Community Services Society
Location(s): Kelowna
Deadline: Jan 31, 2018 by 4:00 PM
Job description