The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) Environmental Public Health Services e-newsletter is a quarterly compilation of important resources, news items and opportunities related to environmental health for First Nations individuals and communities in British Columbia. If you have been added to this list in error you may unsubscribe at the bottom of this email.

Funding Available for Environmental Contaminants and Health Projects

The FNHA is accepting project proposals from First Nations communities or organizations in BC that explore environmental contaminants and their effects on human health. To learn more about the proposal application process, including eligibility, refer to the Environmental Contaminants Guidelines for Proposals.

BCAFN Seeking Feedback for First Nations Climate Leadership Agenda

The BC Assembly of First Nations is seeking feedback from First Nations title and rights holders in co-developing the First Nations Climate Leadership Agenda. From April to July 2024, BCAFN will host a series of regional engagement activities across BC to foster discussions and identify key priority actions and recommendations to the federal government for implementing and advancing the Agenda while ensuring guiding principles are upheld. In BC, the FNCL Agenda will complement the work undertaken to implement the BC First Nations Climate Strategy and Action Plan's pathways and actions.

Tla'amin First Nation Climate Change Documentary

In 2022, with funding support from the FNHA's Indigenous Climate Health Action Program (ICHAP), Tla'amin First Nation embarked on Looking to the Land, A Tla’amin Nation Climate Change Adaptation Plan. In this documentary, we hear how the community is observing and responding to impacts of climate change in their territory. The project also incorporated a Climate Health Risk Assessment which focused on identifying climate-health related impacts on nature, human health, community infrastructure, as well as cultural resources and practices. The assessment found strengths in community and individual support, food sovereignty (e.g. through their salmon hatchery), and through key staff positions such as Emergency Management, Guardians, Public Health and Lands and Natural Resources. Future climate-related impacts may expose Tla’amin to new challenges including community fire protection and response, village flooding, and protection of the community drinking water source and distribution system. Impacts of climate change on traditional food supplies remains a concern in the community.

Upcoming WATCH Seasonal Reflections Workshop

The We all Take Care of the Harvest (WATCH) Project will be hosting a Seasonal Reflections workshop from 1 to 3 p.m. on June 12. Presentations will include:

• Update from the WATCH Project
• Looking Back, Looking Forward: Spring weather/climate anomalies and unusual observations and a summer forecast
• Clam Garden Network: How to identify and record a clam garden
• Enhancing Capacity to Report and Respond to Emerging Marine Diseases
• Shellfish Diseases: Update on VIU/CFIA biotoxin testing initiatives
• 6-PPDQ/tire wear toxins affecting salmonids

If you are not on a WATCH team or Community of Practice list, please email WATCH-project@fnha.ca to receive a calendar invitation. 

Draft Guidelines for Review: 6PPD-quinone

Tire manufacturers use the chemical 6PPD to prevent tire degradation. Over time, 6PPD breaks down with tire wear and enters the environment as 6PPD-quinone (6PPD-q), a highly toxic chemical compound to coho salmon, and is responsible for mass deaths of the fish when they spawn in urban streams. The BC Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship is finalizing a draft of the 6PPD-quinone acute water quality guideline for the protection of aquatic life. The draft will be initially reviewed by First Nations and Government. If you are affiliated with a First Nation or First Nation's organization and would be interested in reviewing the draft, please reach out to environmental.health@fnha.ca and we will connect you with their team.

BC Indigenous Advisory Council for Agriculture & Food (IACAF) Spotlight

IACAF & the Ministry of Agriculture & Food work together to enhance the equitable participation of Indigenous Peoples in the BC agriculture and food sector & support the realization of their food sovereignty objectives.

‘Fire is medicine’: Westbank First Nation Company Utilizes Prescribed Burns to Mitigate Wildfire Risks

As wildfire seasons in British Columbia worsen each year, cikilaxwm (prescribed fire) is gaining more traction as a way to mitigate blazes before they begin, say experts at Westbank First Nation’s forest and resource management company. For the past 10 years, Ntityix Resources has treated more than 300 hectares of land in syilx Okanagan homelands through cultural burns and other wildfire mitigation projects. 

Funding Round-Up: Spring Grants for First Nations on the Coast

Through Coast Funds, participating First Nations in the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii may have funding available for stewardship, conservation, and economic development projects in addition to fundraising support. Coast Funds team members have compiled a list of additional funding opportunities for First Nations with upcoming deadlines.

Bringing the Salmon Home: The Columbia River Salmon Reintroduction Initiative

Bringing the Salmon Home: The Columbia River Salmon Reintroduction Initiative is an Indigenous-led collaboration of the Syilx Okanagan Nation, Ktunaxa Nation, Secwépemc Nation, Canada and British Columbia. Salmon have been blocked from returning to the Canadian portion of the upper Columbia River for more than 80 years. The long-term vision is to return salmon stocks for Indigenous food, social and ceremonial needs, and to benefit the region’s residents and ecosystems as a whole.

Webinar: Retrofit Success Stories in BC First Nations Communities

Join the Fraser Basin Council's First Nations Home EnergySave Program on May 28 from 11am - 12:15pm for a webinar featuring retrofit success stories from BC First Nations communities. The webinar will explore strategies for effective energy retrofit initiatives in BC First Nations communities through case studies from Osoyoos Indian Band and Akisq̓nuk First Nation.

For after-hours emergencies, please leave a message for the Environmental Health Officer On-Call at 1-844-666-0711 and/or e-mail ephs.afterhours@fnha.ca. This phone/email is being monitored between 6 am to 10 pm. Calls/emails sent after 10 pm will be responded to the following day.