First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) CEO Joe Gallagher (left) and Pacific Blue Cross CEO John Crawford sign a Declaration of Commitment to Cultural Safety and Humility before signing a new five-year agreement.

The FNHA announced last week that it has partnered with Pacific Blue Cross to administer a suite of health benefits to First Nations residents of BC.

Starting this September, Pacific Blue Cross will administer benefits on behalf of the FNHA for dental, vision, medical supplies and equipment, and drugs not covered by PharmaCare.

Read more here.

Elder Semauklyn Mike Kelly, Shxw'Ow'Hamel Nation, speaks in the "End of Life Doulas - guiding the journey to the Spirit World" video.

The FNHA recently partnered with Douglas College to offer End of Life Doula training​ for community members who already do this work naturally in their communities/regions. The goal of the educational training was to add to their knowledge on working with the family, hospital, funeral home, public health nurses and community health nurses to support the wishes of the person journeying into the Spirit World.

Find our more about the role of the End of Life Doula and how they can help support people in a new "Guiding the journey to the Spirit World" video.

Watch the video and learn more here.

First Nations Health Authority Knowledge Keeper Te'ta-in (Shane Pointe) blankets Honourable Senator Sinclair.

Senator Murray Sinclair, the Anishinaabe judge who chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, told a rapt audience of First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) staff as well as members the First Nations Health Council (FNHC) and our board that change is underway in Canada but it will take longer than we want.

“Reconciliation is about respect, it requires an understanding of the truth and a commitment to change,” he told an audience of 200 gathered in the Musqueam Cultural Education Resource Centre in Vancouver. “Education is the key.”

Read more here.

Last week was National Immunization Awareness Week, an annual event organized by Immunize Canada.

The FNHA Immunize Team shared an FAQ with answers to common questions about immunization. The article also shares important immunization resources to help keep you and your family safe and informed.

Read more here.

You are invited to join First Nations Health Authority Chief Medical Officer Dr. Evan Adams, and other doctors across BC, for walking events this May.

Walk With Your Doc is an annual event organized by Doctors of BC, celebrating the World Health Organization's Move for Health Day.  Since 2010 Walk With Your Doc has been spreading the word to British Columbians about the health benefits of daily walking.

On May 10, join Dr. Evan Adams and special guests for a beautiful walk on the Coast Salish Territory. Get all the info on this Vancouver-based walk and be part of the walking movement: Click here to learn more and register. 

Live outside of the lower mainland? This year, there are more than 35 walking events happening across BC between May 6 and 10, 2019. To find a walk happening near you or learn how you can host an event, visit www.walkwithyourdoc.ca for more information.

Northwest Leadership, First Nations Health Authority staff, partners and presenters together after two days of fruitful discussions at the Northwest Health Services Gathering, April 2-3 in Prince Rupert.

Tsimshian sun shone brightly for two days as more than 100 people met for the Northwest Health Services Gathering April 2-3. Out in the harbour minnow-like fish attracted whales, sea lions and eagles to feast on them. Inside the North Coast Hall, overlooking the ocean with a wall of windows, delegates shared their thoughts on health care needs and priorities.

Read more here.

Vancouver Friends for Life Society is pleased to announce their new initiative to support women, all across British Columbia, with lived experience of HIV and hepatitis C (HCV).

The Women’s Wellness and Leadership Project is designed to support women on their own path to health and wellness. The project is accepting applications from women up to $2500 for support with self directed health and education ideas.

Learn more and apply here.

The goal of the Rural Evidence Review project is to work with rural citizens and communities to provide high quality, useful evidence for rural care planning in BC. The project team at University of British Columbia is conducting a survey that is voluntary, anonymous and in most cases will only take 10 minutes to complete.

Learn more and participate in the survey here.

Amount Available: up to $10,000 per call

Application Deadline: May 3, 2019

The purpose of this fund is to assist Indigenous communities, Indigenous AIDS Service Organizations, and/or Indigenous students in developing a research project.

Grants are meant to:

• Provide funding to develop a research project;
• Encourage community engagement; and
• Support the development of larger research grant proposals.

Learn more and apply here.

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) has released guidelines on their $100,000 Innovation Fund. This one-time funding for fiscal year 2019/2020 is dedicated to exploring innovative solutions with demonstrable impact to HIV and HCV in BC. Projects may be provincially focused or regionally focused with the potential for scale up.

PHSA is particularly interested in supporting projects that align with the Collective Impact Network’s (CIN) priorities, including:

• Increase involvement of People with Lived Experience (PWLE)
• Increase geographic equity by supporting program and service all across the province, particularly in rural/remote areas
• Increase program equity and services for HIV and HCV
• Reduce stigma

Please see Guidelines and Application Template. Proposals are due on Friday, May 17 and can be submitted to Simon@pacificaidsnetwork.org.

Guidelines can be found here.

Soowahlie Mech Project - HVAC upgrade

Closing Date: Apr 30 2019, 4:00 PM PDT

More info

Communications Specialist
Location: Kamloops
Deadline: May 1, 2019 at 4:00 pm

Co-up Student - Fraser Salish Region
Location: Chilliwack/Matsui
Deadline: May 2, 2019 at 4:00pm

Senior Network Administrator
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: May 3, 2019

Child and Youth Systems Navigator
Location: Prince George
Deadline: May 7, 2019 at 4:00 pm

Senior Coordinator, HR Governance
Location: West Vancouver
Deadline: May 10, 2019 at 4:00 pm

Team Lead Mental Health and Wellness
Location: Ladysmith
Deadline: May 14, 2019 at 4:00pm

Nurse in Charge, Resource Team
Location: Various Locations
Deadline: Open Until Filled

Business Analyst
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: Open Until Filled

Find all job postings on our website.

Aboriginal Infant Development Program Consultant
Organization: Snuneymuxw Health Centre
Location(s): Snuneymuxw First Nation
Deadline: May 2, 2019 by 4:00 pm
Job description

Community Addictions Counsellor
Organization: Snuneymuxw Health Centre
Location(s): Snuneymuxw First Nation
Deadline: May 2, 2019 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Mental Health and Addictions Services Clinician
Organization: Kwakiutl Health Centre
Location(s): Port Hardy
Job description

Home Care Nurse
Organization: Dease River First Nation
Location(s): Dease River First Nation
Job description

Find all job postings on our website.