First Nations in British Columbia will join the province’s drug insurance program, PharmaCare, on October 1, 2017. The change will see drug benefits services for First Nations Health Authority clients move from Health Canada’s longstanding federal system to a new made-in-BC PharmaCare plan designed specifically for First Nations clients.

Previously, First Nations in BC received drug benefits from Health Canada’s Non-Insured Health Benefits program. In March 2017, the Province of BC enacted a regulation change, removing barriers for First Nations to join PharmaCare. The move to the provincial drug insurance program of PharmaCare brings health care decisions about prescribed medications closer to home, from Ottawa to First Nations in BC.

Read the full release here.

Read more on the PharmaCare transition here: www.fnha.ca/pharmacare. 

The FNHA is pleased to share its 2016-2017 Annual Report. The report covers off the work taking place within four organizational goal areas: Enhance First Nations Health Governance; Champion the BC First Nations Perspective on Health and Wellness; Advance Excellence in Programs and Services; and Operate as an Efficient, Effective and Excellent First Nations Health Organization.

Highlights in the report include the provincial work in Cultural Humility and Cultural Safety in Health Services, health governance partnership activities, building health capacity with First Nations communities and peoples in BC, Elder and youth engagement, and the work underway within First Nations Health Benefits and Environmental Public Health.

Find the report online here.

Pharmacists across British Columbia will have an important role to play in improving the care and safety of their patients as First Nations Health Authority patients become BC PharmaCare beneficiaries on October 1, 2017.

For the vast majority of First Nations Health Authority patients prescription drug coverage will remain the same. Most existing therapies will be transitioned to PharmaCare through special “grandparenting” arrangements. A small number of medications will continue to be provided through the NIHB program until the full transition from the federal system is complete.

Read more here.

Orange Shirt Day was initiated by Phyllis (Jack) Webstad and her story of having her favourite orange shirt taken away on her first day at the St. Joseph Mission residential school. The date was chosen as it is the time of year that children were taken from their homes to residential schools and is an opportunity to continue the conversation on the intergenerational impacts of residential schools.

Find out more about Orange Shirt Day here. 

Remember to wear orange on September 30 to show your support!

The first study ever to compare the development and survival from cancer between First Nations people and non-First Nations people in British Columbia shows an overall lower incidence of the disease for First Nations people but also indicates lower survival rates for most cancers.

The study affirms the need for a system-wide response to improve cancer diagnosis and care for First Nations people in BC, which is why the First Nations Health Authority, BC Cancer Agency, the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres and Métis Nation are working in partnership to complete an Indigenous cancer strategy to be released later this fall. 

Read more here.

Stemming from a history of colonialism and ongoing racism in Canada, Indigenous people continue to experience many harms when trying to access health care. This presentation will take a closer look at where and how these harms tend to occur in the system, and what we can start doing as individuals and organizations in response.

Drawing on lessons learned from the San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training program, this webinar will unpack the ways anti-Indigenous racism and stereotyping show up in health care settings and share insights on responding to racism and discrimination through Indigenous cultural safety approaches.

Join Yvette Ringham Cowan and Laurie Harding for this webinar from noon to 1 p.m. on October 4. Find out more here! 

Deadline is end of day today September 29, 2017!

First Nations people have lived off the land since time immemorial. The FNHA would like to promote canning as one form of food preservation and we are currently developing a canning training curriculum and information resource to ensure that community members have the tools to preserve healthy foods in a safe way.

We would like to learn more from First Nations Elders and communities who may have been involved with traditional practices, food processing and preservation. We are also looking for traditional stories and recipes to be featured in the resource.

If you would like to share your story, click here!

September 26 has been designated "World Environmental Health Day," in recognition of the work of Environmental Public Health Professionals and their work in health promotion, disease prevention and control, and response to public health emergencies.

The theme of 2017 Environmental Health Day is "Indoor and Outdoor Air Quality," a timely topic after the record-breaking poor air quality BC has experienced as a result of wildfires this summer.

Read the full blog here. 

Through funding from the Province of BC, the Red Cross invites (at-home/on-reserve) First Nations businesses and those whose cultural livelihoods were impacted by the BC fires to apply for emergency grants of $1,500 each.

First Nations members whose livelihood is based on cultural expression or ceremony, sometimes called cultural livelihood, may include carvers, hunters and trappers, artisans, medicine holders, and others.

For more information or to apply, please call the Red Cross Support to Small Business Helpline 1-855-999-3345 or apply online at www.redcross.ca/bcfires/smallbusiness.

The Red Cross has also established a community partnerships program to support community-driven efforts for recovery and resiliency in the following five areas: Emergency Relief; Community Strengthening; Safety & Wellbeing; Indigenous Programming; Disaster Risk Reduction.

Click here for more information.

1 in 3 Elders will fall this year. What can you do to prevent falls?

• Keep your body active
• Make your home safer
• Have your doctor or pharmacist review your medications
• Have your eyes checked by an optometrist once a year

Find more resources online at: www.findingbalancebc.ca

Download this poster here!

Registered midwives are primary health care providers who take care of you through pregnancy, birth and the early weeks of a baby’s life. Learn about what midwives do, how they work within the circle of health care, how to find a midwife, and how to become one.

Find this brochure online here! 

Order hard copies by emailing: info@bcmidwives.com

Medical Director/ Physician Advisor/ Primary Care – Physician Leader
Closing Date: October ​13​, 2017 at 4:00 pm PST

​​Meeting & Event Venues: Hotel Accommodation & Conference Services for Underserviced Areas
Closing Date: December 29, 2017 4:00 pm PST

Find out more here.

Manager, Strategic Project Office
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: September 29, 2017 at 4:00pm

Assistant,Travel & Events
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: October 4, 2017 at 4:00pm

Event Coordinator
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: October 4, 2017 at 4:00pm

Director, HR Projects
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: October 5, 2017 at 4:00pm

Program Officer, Environmental Health (8 Month Term)
Location: Vancouver Island
Deadline: October 11, 2017 at 4:00pm

Clinical CDC Nurse Educator
Location: Vancouver Island
Deadline: October 13, 2017 at 4:00pm

Nursing Services (Multiple)
Location: Multiple 
Deadline: Ongoing

Find these and all job postings on our website here.