The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and BC Association of Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) are pleased to announce a shared $360,000 investment to fund doula services for First Nations and Aboriginal families in BC. The grant funding will support families to pay for prenatal, birth and post-partum doula services regardless of their location in the province.

A doula provides emotional, physical, and spiritual support for women and families during pregnancy, labour and after birth. BCAAFC and FNHA recognize the sacred time of pregnancy, birth and early parenting, and together want to ensure First Nations and Aboriginal families have access to the appropriate supports they need to feel comfortable and confident throughout their journey.

Read the full release here!

Did you know World Breastfeeding Week runs from October 1-7? This year's theme is Breastfeeding and Work: Let's Make it Work!

Visit the FNHA Maternal, Child and Family Health webpage for health information on parenthood including the Our Sacred Journey: Aboriginal Pregnancy Passport, Safe Sleep Toolkit and more! 

Find out more on World Breastfeeding Week here. 

Nurses in BC First Nations communties - Save the Date for the 2015 FNHA Nurse Education Forum - Celebrating the Circle of Wellness.

The 2015 forum will be held November 24 - 26 and repeating December 1 - 3 in Richmond BC.

Find more information here and stay tuned for registration details.

The First Nations Health Authority is advising First Nations and First Nation Harvesters that as of September 17, the warnings and restrictions on the consumption and sale of raw BC oysters has been lifted due to a decrease in illnesses and the detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus. BC pub​lic health officials have been working collaboratively to monitor the situation in each regional health authority and will continue to do so.

Read the full communique here.

​FNHA Dental Therapists partnered with the Vancouver Native Health Society Eastside Dental Clinic in early September, treating over a dozen adult patients in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. The team is situated in communities across each of the five regions and all team members expressed how wonderful it was to spend the day working together, as they are often working alone.

Read the full story and more about FNHA Dental Therapists here! 

Its been an exciting year for the First Nations Health Directors Association. Over the past three years, the FNHDA has undertaken a number of important initiatives to firmly establish the Association as a cornerstone of the First Nations Health Governance Structure.

Read all about 2014-15 for the FNHDA in their Annual Report here.

On October 16, 2015 the Moosehide Campaign will be holding a National one-day Men’s Fast. The Moosehide Campaign national fast is a pledge to end violence against women and children.

This is a day for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal men in communities, organizations and governments across the country to unite in honour of all women and children.The Moosehide Campaign is determined to support change that will end the cycle of violence that women and children continue to experience.

Find out more information on the fast at: info@moosehidecampaign.ca or at 250-388-5522.

Or visit: www.moosehidecampaign.ca

​You've decided what you'd like to study, applied to a great school, and were accepted. Congratulations! Now, how are you going to pay for it? It's time to find out about the financial aid available for First Nations and Aboriginal students in BC.

Don't worry if you're not a "straight A" student — there's support available for nearly everyone with the desire and determination to get an education. While applying for financial aid can be time-consuming, consider it a good investment in your future!

Read, download and share the full Scholarship and Bursary Resource Guide - find it here! 

“Wellness is about connecting family and community. Giving the community a chance as much as possible,” Participant.

On June 20 – 21, Heiltsuk Health Society held a two day event with the aim of bringing together the community activity and friendly family fun. The two days included various running activities, cedar bark weaving and races, while the second day was a Fishing Derby. The vibe and feeling of the two days were very positive with a focus on having the entire community feel welcomed to attend, participate or spectate. The event even had some travel from outside of Bella Bella.

Read the full story here! 

Do you know what to do when an earthquake occurs? Have you considered your surroundings?  Do you have a family or staff meeting spot?  If you are located close to the ocean, are you in a tsunami hazard zone?

BC is a seismically active area. On October 15 at 10:15 am join half a million others and participate in the world’s largest “drop, cover, hold on” drill. 

Go to www.shakeoutbc.ca to find more information on the drill, register to be counted and find important information for your family and staff to prepare. 

What is Under Your Skin? A pre-lunch session with Dermatologists

Date: Thursday, October 8, 2015 - 10:00 am–12:00 noon (PST) Registration: Required to Participate

Hunelhyad (What’s the matter?): Social Media, Youth and Health with Johanna Sam

Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2015 - 10:00 am-11:30 am (PST) Registration: Required to Participate

Raising Children in a Digital World: A way through

Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2015 - 10:00 am-12:00 noon (PST) Registration: Required to Participate

Find out more and register here!

Are you a Family Caregiver (unpaid family member or friend) of an older adult?

The BC Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support (BCCEAS) and Family Caregivers of BC invite you to attend a free workshop, teleseminar or webinar, titled “Caring for Older Adults through Self-Care”.

3 in person and 10 teleseminars/webinars will be offered through The Caregiver Network – sign up by calling 1-866-396-2433 or online at www.thecaregivernetwork.ca

Strategies, exemplars, and resources that support teaching and learning of Indigenous ways of knowing in classrooms, schools & communities.

Length: 6 weeks 3 - 5 hours/week
Price:  FREE
Starts on September 29, 2015

Find more information here. 

Motivational interviewing is a person-centered, collaborative conversation style for addressing ambivalence and strengthening a client’s own motivation and commitment to change. Evidence shows this technique is very useful for empowering clients to change challenging health behaviors, such as problematic substance use.

Friday October 2, 2015 9:00am – 3:30pm

Surrey and Prince George (Some travel subsidies will be available. Webinar participation is also encouraged for those unable to travel to the in-person locations)

Find more information here.

Chronic Disease Self-Management Program - Volunteer Leaders Wanted

Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society
October 5-8, 2015 - 9:00am-4:00pm

Diabetes Leader Training - Native Courtworker & Counselling of BC

Vancouver
October 19, 20, 26, & 27, 2015 - 9:30am to 4:00pm

Register online here.

Public Health Engineering Services

FNHA Requires the services of a Public Health Engineer to provide liaising, approval, inspection and technical consultation services to Environment Public Health Services, First Nations Health Authority , on projects relating to community drinking water systems, sewer /septic systems and recreational water facilities from First Nation communities on reserve in BC.

Proposals must be received before 16:00 hours (4:00 pm) PST on October 09, 2015

Refer here for a full list of key dates and information.​

Community Engagement Coordinator - Haida Gwaii
Location(s): Haida Gwaii
Deadline: Oct 2, 2015 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Data Collector (Multiple)
Location(s): Fraser Region
Deadline: Oct 2, 2015 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Regional Planner - Interior
Location(s): Interior Region
Deadline: Oct 2, 2015 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Regional Project Developer - Fraser Region
Location(s): Fraser Region
Deadline: Oct 2, 2015 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Senior Administrative Coordinator - Interior
Location(s): Interior Region
Deadline: Oct 2, 2015 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Change Manager, Project & Risk Management Services
Location(s): West Vancouver
Deadline: Oct 1, 2015 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Data Entry Operator
Location(s): Vancouver BC
Deadline: Sep 29, 2015 by 4:00 PM
Job description

IT Asset Management Administrator
Location(s): Vancouver BC
Deadline: Sep 29, 2015 by 4:00 PM
Job description

SQL Database Administrator
Location(s): Vancouver BC
Deadline: Sep 28, 2015 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Clinical Nurse Specialist
Location(s): Vancouver
Deadline: Sep 25, 2015 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Regional Nurse Manager - Fraser Region
Location(s): Fraser Region
Deadline: Sep 25, 2015 by 4:00 PM
Job description