Above: An image from one of the youth directed smoking prevention videos.

First Nations teens and the First Nations Health Authority have announced a new smoking prevention campaign aimed at the use of commercial tobacco among First Nations youth aged 13-16.

The campaign was officially launched at the opening ceremony of the province's Junior All Native Basketball Tournament in Kelowna. The Youth Respecting Tobacco campaign features two 30-second video PSAs created by First Nations teens for their peers, highlighting life with and without commercial tobacco.

The campaign webpage www.fnha.ca/youth features resources for smoking cessation from FNHA and its partners as well as information on the Youth Respecting Tobacco campaign.

Read more here! 

FNHA is supporting a Youth Video Contest from March 19 to June 19, 2017. Enter and you could win one of three prizes of $1,000! Tell us what you are doing (or plan to do) to change the impact commercial tobacco has had in your life, community, or among your friends, for the chance to win.

Videos should use the campaign hashtag, #respectingtobacco, and tag the FNHA Instagram account, along with three other Instagram users you want to challenge to participate in the contest.

Winners will be announced on May 1, June 1 and July 1, 2017. To enter you must be a First Nations teen (age 13-16) living in BC.

Find out all the details here! 

Above: FNHA CEO Joe Gallagher (l) and UBC President Santa Ono at the joint Chair announcement on March 17. 

The FNHA and University of British Columbia have created a faculty position dedicated to improving cancer outcomes and overall wellness among First Nations and Indigenous people. The chair will focus on the impact of cancer on the health and wellness journey of First Nations and their families.

It will take a holistic approach to developing strategies to prevent and address cancer, acknowledging how colonization, racism, marginalization and poverty have led to the current disparity in health outcomes.

Read the full release here! 

Above: Neil Kane, FNHA Environmental Health Technician presenting a ground water model at Nicomen First Nation.

Celebrating World Water Day on March 22, FNHA recognizes that water is an integral part of life, community and well-being. To help celebrate water, in August 2016, FNHA launched “Our Community, Our Water” water awareness grant funding in support of community-led events to help protect and celebrate the importance of water, particularly drinking water, in community.

Read more here.

Above: Elder Mary Wesley (l) and Lucy Woodman.

“Hey!” says Lucy Woodman to a young person checking out the Raven Room at this year’s All Native Basketball Tournament in Prince Rupert, “Good to see you.” Lucy knows many of the kids from her previous work at the Prince Rupert Friendship House. Now, as a practicum student in UVic’s Social Work program, Lucy is busy learning about the health care system from her mentor, Mary Wesley.

Today some Elders are relaxing on comfy couches with a cup of Hudson’s Bay tea, and filling out forms for health checks, chatting. Mary is the Aboriginal Patient Liaison for people from town and coastal villages who access the Prince Rupert Hospital. Lucy is spending seven weeks with her, watching, listening and doing.

Read the full post here!

As part of the ongoing BC Patient Safety Quality Council and FNHA Cultural Humility Webinar series, our next session will be held April 13 hosted by Nadine Caron! Save the date for this informative webinar that will run from Noon to 1 p.m.

No pre-registration is required - to join the day of, visit the link below.

Find out more and watch previous webinars here.

Tsilhqot’in Health Directors and Interior Health staff discussed patient complaints and the patient complaint process in a Letter of Understanding meeting. This discussion explored the intimidating nature of the complaint process for members of the Tsilhqot’in Nation.

They also discussed barriers to access and  the lack of information about the program. A Health Director who had recently participated in peacemaking circle training (which is part of the Restorative Justice process) suggested this practice might be used and modified to support Aboriginal clients in the complaint process.

Read more here.

Join Dr. Sarah Hunt on April 12 as she provides an introduction to the health of Two-Spirit people. First, the diversity of meanings ascribed to Two-Spirit will be discussed, as a term used to describe an array of Indigenous identities and expressions of gender and sexuality.

Within a social determinants framework, an overview of the impacts of colonization will be provided as a key component of understanding the health of Two-Spirit people. A strengths-based approach will be used to present an array of practical measures health practitioners, policy makers, and researchers can use to foster Two-Spirit health. 

Find out more here.

​Hyperion Managed Support Services​
Close Date: March 31, 2017
More info here.

​General Contractor for Repairs & Renovations to Wuikinuxv Health Station​​
Close Date: March 31, 2017 at 16:00 hours (4:00 PM) PST
More info here.

General Contractor for Repairs / Renovations to Kitasoo Health Station​
Close Date: April 13, 2017
More info here.

Director, Employee Experience
Locations(s): Vancouver
Deadline: March 24, 2017 at 4:00PM
Job description

Student, Interior Region (2 positions)
Locations(s): Kamloops and Kelowna
Deadline: March 28, 2017 at 4:00PM
Job description

Health Coach (Part-time)
Locations(s): Vancouver Island
Deadline: March 31, 2017 at 4:00PM
Job description

Addictions Specialist
Locations(s): Vancouver
Deadline: April 3, 2017 at 4:00PM
Job description

Student, Program & Evaluation
Locations(s): Vancouver
Deadline: April 4, 2017 at 4:00PM
Job description

Community Health Nurse, Nursing Stations
Locations(s): Multiple
Job description

Nurse In Charge
Locations(s): Multiple
Job description

Cultural Safety Health Policy Development
Organization: ​Island Health
Location(s): Victoria
Job description

Parent Support Team Lead
Organization: ​Carrier Sekani Family Services
Location(s): Prince George
Deadline: Mar 24, 2017 by 11:55 PM
Job description

Community Health Nurse Clinical Leader
Organization: Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council
Location(s): Port Alberni
Deadline: Mar 24, 2017 by 4:30 PM
Job description

Aboriginal Patient Advocate
Organization: Provincial Health Service Authority
Location(s): Vancouver BC
Job description

Aboriginal Patient Navigator
Organization: Interior Health
Location(s): Kamloops, BC
Job description

Registered Nurse
Organization: Seabird Island Band
Location(s): Seabird Island 
Job description