The Annual Gathering Our Voices youth conference took place in Victoria, BC March 21-24. As the Health and Wellness partner for the event, the FNHA hosted 15 workshops to a sold out audience of First Nations Youth from across Canada. Congratulations to all the youth who attended.

The FNHA hosted Health Screening where delegates received diabetes testing, lung assessments, oral health assessments as well as fitness planning – early numbers show almost 100 youth took advantage of the screening sessions! FNHA info and health careers table were busy with curious youth stopping by and contributing to our question box asking them how the FNHA can help youth create Wellness in their lives!

Read the full blog post on GOV here!

At the 2015 Elders' Gathering, FNHA and the Province of BC asked First Nations Elders: What would you say to your 20-year-old self? The footage was then cut into a video for First Nations youth that was just premiered at the 2016 Gathering Our Voices event. Youth at this year's event were then asked to share a message with Elders and to their future self as an Elder.

See what the Elders shared for First Nations youth here! 

Hands up to all who have shared their wisdom for this project!

In recognition of World Tuberculosis (TB) Day March 24 the FNHA is pleased to share a number of new digital TB pamphlets, poster and postcard – as well as a refresh of our Tuberculosis web content www.fnha.ca/tuberculosis.

On April 1 the FNHA is transitioning the Tuberculosis Services for Aboriginal Communities (TBSAC) programming formerly delivered by BCCDC to the First Nations Health Authority. As noted in an October 20​15 communique, the TBSAC program will now be a part of the FNHA's Community Health and Wellness services under the title of FNHA Tuberculosis Services.

Read the full news post and find the materials on our website here! 

The FNHA would like to congratulate Interior Nations and Interior Health on opening of their Sacred Space room in Lillooet District Hospital. 

In 2014, Chiefs of Xwisten, T’it’q’et, Xaxli’p, Tsal’alh, Ts’kw’aylaxw and Sekw’el’was signed a Letter of Understanding with the Interior Health Authority to solidify a working partnership to improve health service outcomes for First Nations people in the region. The creation of this sacred space resulted from this working relationship.  

Read a news article on it here! 

The FNHA is pleased to be hosting a five-day Northern Regional Postpartum Doula Workshop in Terrace April 27-May 1. This five-day Workshop is geared towards training 30 individuals throughout the Northern Region, to provide support and education to mothers and their families during the first three months of their baby's life.   

The Postpartum Doula acts as both a mentor and guide as she helps families care for their babies who offers evidence-based information on newborn care, infant feeding, mother care and coping skills for new parents. The doula helps with some of the tasks necessary to keep the family running smoothly during this busy time.  Expertise and non-judgmental support help create a calm environment for the new family.

Interested participants can apply here.

There is also a training application questionaire that must be filled out and emailed to Bambie Tait at bambie.tait@fnha.ca.

Deadline to apply is April 1, 2016.

The FNHA would like to share three presentation that were created as a part of the oral health, healthy eating and brief action planning training hosted in recent months. 

Nutrition and Oral Health

Healthy Eating 101

Building Supportive Environments for Oral Health and Healthy Eating

Thanks to those who attended the regional sessions! 

The First Nations Health Council (FNHC) recently signed Memorandum of Understanding with the Minister for Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation on March 3rd, 2016. Adding to the rich history and spirit of partnership with the Government of British Columbia, this MOU sets out a pathway to partnership on the social determinants of health.

This document embodies the shared commitment of the FNHC and the Government of BC to take the next step in our shared journey. It is a starting point, not the destination. It is a shared commitment of the FNHC and the Government of BC to support an ongoing and regular process of engagement with BC First Nations that results in significant and culturally appropriate actions to address the social determinants of health.

Read the full communique and find the Memorandum of Understanding document online here.

Naloxone, the life-saving drug used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, is now available in BC without a prescription.Health Canada revised the Federal Prescription Drug List on March 22, 2016 to make a non-prescription version of naloxone more accessible to Canadians in support of efforts to address the growing number of opioid overdoses.

As a result, BC is one of the first provinces in Canada to make non-prescription naloxone available. Please note, the provincial Naloxone program through BCCDC will still exist.

Read the full BC College of Pharmacists communique here. 

With the arrival of spring and the potential for freshet related flooding, Emergency Management BC are trying to stay ahead of the curve. Please fill your sandbag orders now before an emergency.

Please visit  EMBC's flood preparedness page for more information and how to order. 

Please submit your requests no later than April 22, 2016.

If you see someone collapse, it could be cardiac arrest, would you know what to do? Every 4 hours, someone in BC has cardiac arrest. Choose to act – CALL-PUSH-RESTART:

• CALL 9-1-1 and then shout for an AED
• PUSH hard and fast in the centre of the chest
• RESTART the heart by using the AED as soon as it arrives

CALL-PUSH-RESTART can double the chance of survival. For more information, visit www.callpushrestart.ca and download the app.

Primary Travel Supplier – Corporate Travel and Event Specialist
Closing Date: March 30, 2016
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Manager Records and Info Management
Location(s): Vancouver
Deadline: April 1, 2016 at 4:00pm
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Procurement Specialist
Location(s): Vancouver
Deadline: April 5, 2016 at 4:00pm
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Environmental Health Officer
Location(s): Prince George
Deadline: April 1, 2016 at 4:00pm
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Data Collector
Location(s): Multiple Regions
Deadline: April 4, 2016 at 4:00 pm
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IT Student
Location(s): Vancouver
Deadline: April 1, 2016 at 4:00pm
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Pharmacy Summer Student #1
Location(s): Vancouver
Deadline: April 1, 2016 at 4:00pm
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Pharmacy Summer Student #2
Location(s): Vancouver
Deadline: April 1, 2016 at 4:00pm
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Community Health Nurse – Nursing Stations
Location(s): Various
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Nurse in Charge-Nursing Station
Location(s): Various
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Early Childhood Development Worker
Organization: Southern Stl’atl’imx Health Society
Location(s): Pemberton
Deadline: Apr 1, 2016 by 12:00 AM
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Home & Community Care Nurse
Organization: Canim Lake Band
Location(s): Canim Lake BC
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Executive Director
Organization: Nenan Dane Zaa Deh Zona Family Services Society
Location(s): Fort St. John BC
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Home Care Nurse
Organization: Dease River First Nation
Location(s): Dease River
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Aboriginal Health Services Advocate
Organization: Northern St’at’imc Outreach Health Services, Lillooet Tribal Council
Location(s): Lillooet
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Clinical Counsellor, Riverstone Home & Mobile Detox
Organization: Fraser Health
Location(s): Agassiz, Chilliwack and Hope
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