IMAGE: JONATHAN HAYWARD / THE CANADIAN PRESS

At the invitation of local First Nations, the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) commissioned the initial phases of a Health Impact Assessment (HIA).  The objectives of this project were to identify impacted communities and potential health risks and impacts related to the tailings dam breach using international assessment standards.

The report illustrates that the breach resulted in significant emotional, spiritual and dietary impacts for First Nations. Read the report here.

By Patricia Vickers, Director, Mental Wellness​

Colonization as a spiritual act is a curse. The spiritual act of colonization dehumanizes both the colonizer and the colonized and operates from principles of unjust domination through control and authority over another. Spiritual acts, according to teachings of healers and medicine people, cannot be reversed. A curse can only be faced, recognized and an antidote used to nullify the curse by lifting the spiritual, emotional and psychological weight of it.

On one of my many visits to a friend and lodge keeper, he told me about one winter when he became very ill. Read more

Quality leads at the Second annual First Nations Quality Improvement and Safety Network Forum June 13-16

Developed in partnership with Network members and a team of diverse and talented learning partners, the Forum offered 34 community-based accreditation and quality improvement leads a platform to connect and share leading ideas, wise practices, relevant resources and meaningful outcomes.

Coming together to better understand trauma-informed care and lateral violence is not easy. Read more here.

Every year, Xeni Gwet’in Youth and Elders travel to the Williams Lake Stampede on horseback. The ride takes eight days and requires camping, food preparation, caring for horses and assisting fellow participants. This trip is an important community-building event that is conducted to honour their ancestors who travelled by horse and wagon to the Williams Lake area for the stampede and at other times to trade with neighbouring communities. Check out the gallery and read more

Every year, FNHA engages a number of summer interns to support health promotion and disease prevention work, across all regions and departments. This summer, FNHA is working with 19 interns from across the province. Want to learn about this year's cohort? This week, we interviewed three of our summer interns to find out what they're up to and where they're going.​

Meet our Interns here!

Now is your chance to nominate an exceptional First Nations Health Director/Lead who is doing extraordinary work in our communities! There are a potential of seven awards based on the Seven Standards of Excellence to be honoured at the FNHDA Annual General Meeting on September 27-29, 2016 on Coast Ts’msyen (Tsimshian) Territory in Prince Rupert, BC. 

Find all the details including eligibility and how to nominate here! 

Do you know a young Canadian aged 16-24 with leadership skills?  The Prime Minister is seeking a Youth Council to provide non-partisan advice on national issues such as employment, access to education and building stronger communities. This opportunity gives a voice to the youth on issues that matter most to young people.

The Council will meet multiple times a year, with potential travel throughout the country.

There will be two ‘waves’ of applicants, who will all meet the Prime Minister:

• First Wave: apply between July 22-August 12, and meet October 2016,
• Second Wave: Apply between July 22-October 7, and meet in 2017.

For more information on how to apply, click here.

Policy Analyst (Perm & Term)
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: July 29, 2016 at 4:00 PM
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Program Lead, Capital Assets and Administration
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: August 2, 2016 at 4:00 PM
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Mail and Registry Clerk
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: August 3, 2016 at 4:00 PM
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Community Engagement Coordinator, South Coast
Location: West Vancouver
Deadline: Aug 5, 2016 at 4:00 PM
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Administrative Assistant, Oral Health
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: Friday August 5, 2016 at 4:00pm
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Nursing Program Admin Asst
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: August 5, 2016 at 4:00pm
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Tenant Improvement Project Manager
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: August 5, 2016 at 4:00 PM
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Planner
Location: West Vancouver
Deadline: Aug 5, 2016 at 4:00 PM
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Co-op Student
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: August 10, 2016 at 4:00pm
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Data Collector Northern
Location: Multiple Cities
Deadline: Aug 12, 2016 at 4:00 pm
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Community Health Nurse
Organization: Dzawada’enuxw First Nation Health Department
Location(s): Kingcome Inlet
Deadline: Aug 8, 2016 by 4:00 PM
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Community Health Nurse
Organization: Dzawada'enuxw First Nation
Location(s): Kingcome BC
Deadline: Aug 8, 2016 by 4:00 PM
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Regional Sport and Physical Activity Coordinators
Organization: Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Partners Council
Location(s): Fraser Region & Interior Region
Deadline: Aug 3, 2016 by 4:00 PM
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Community Health Nurse
Organization: Alexis Creek First Nation
Location(s): Alexis Creek BC
Deadline: Jul 31, 2016 by 4:00 PM
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Aboriginal Youth Community Connections Coordinator
Organization: Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association
Location(s): Surrey BC
Deadline:
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