The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) is honoured to be awarded $2.5 million over five years, its largest research grant to date, from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). FNHA will collaborate closely with academic partners on this research project to improve harm reduction for First Nations across BC, employing a ground-breaking decolonizing approach that has not been used before.

“This project is innovative and the first of its kind, drawing on the strengths of First Nations perspectives to do community-based harm reduction research. Communities are tackling the opioid crisis in culturally relevant ways, and we need to ensure this knowledge makes its way into evidence,” says Sonia Isaac-Mann, FNHA’s Vice President, Programs and Services.

Read the full media release here.

On Monday, Aug. 20, blue skies shone overhead at the Canadian National (CN) Centre evacuation site in Prince George, and a sense of relief was in the air for the first time in days.

Under the white awning tent, Della Shade and her colleagues from Tsow Tun Le Lum Society smudged both wildfire evacuees and FNHA staff who visited the Cultural Support team. The morning sun filled the space with golden light and the smell of sage drifted across the road.

Read the full post here.

For more than two weeks, First Nations families and communities across the province have been displaced due to the BC wildfires. In the North, many communities have been evacuated with many more on alert. In Prince George, there are an estimated 2,700 evacuees and more than 20 First Nations Communities affected by the wildfires to date.

Read the full post here.

​​The Overdose Crisis:

We can help impacted people by supporting and understanding, not judging

A message from Dr. Shannon McDonald, Deputy Chief Medical Officer

International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held on August 31 each year to raise awareness of the tragic losses due to overdose – specifically, to reflect on what each of us can do to help reduce the number of people experiencing overdose in our areas of the world. This day also acknowledges the grief felt by the many people who have lost loved ones to overdose.

In BC, First Nations people have been disproportionately affected by overdose events and overdose deaths. A joint report from the BC Coroners Service and the FNHA released last summer found that First Nations people were five times more likely to experience an overdose, and three times more likely to die from one.

Read the full message here.

Choose the right medicine for you in partnership with your physician

A message from Dr. Sean Wachtel, FNHA Medical Officer

Pain is a part of life – we all experience it at some point, and it comes in many forms. There’s physical pain, such as after an operation; emotional pain, such as after a relationship breakup; and spiritual pain, such as that experienced by many Indigenous peoples due to the destruction of Indigenous families and culture by colonization and genocide. At the FNHA, we believe in a holistic approach to health that includes the prevention, treatment and management of all forms of pain for all Indigenous peoples in BC. We strive to promote and live out the First Nations Perspective on Health and Wellness passed down from our Elders and traditional healers.

Read the full message here.

In May, the FNHA put out a call to First nations communities to apply for $10.5M in funding received from the province of BC to invest in the expansion of community-driven Aboriginal Head Start On-Reserve (AHSOR) programming.  The FNHA received funding requests from 81 communities totaling $36M —$25.5M more than the amount of funding currently available.

The FNHA is approaching the distribution of the $10.5M as the first phase of a multi-phase process. Further funding to start new AHSOR programs or to improve existing programs is anticipated.  The FNHA is prioritizing the funding requests of communities with the highest need and greatest readiness for this initial funding.

Read more here.

The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) has been monitoring the forest fires burning in the Vancouver Island Region and the Air Quality Index. There are currently three fires still burning in the North Island area. Over the last week, air quality has been rated at 10+ throughout most of Vancouver Island. As a health and wellness partner, we want to ensure the safety and well-being of our runners and communities. We recognize that opportunities for training have been limited due to air quality, and we do not want anyone to put themselves at risk of physical injury.

On behalf of FNHA Vancouver Island Region and HELISET HÁLE RELAY Coordination team, we would like to thank all those communities and runners who have expressed interest in supporting this initiative. We appreciate your understanding with this decision as the health and safety of our communities must be put first.

We remain committed to efforts in uniting our communities to raise awareness of suicide prevention and mental health and wellness initiatives and will keep in contact for future opportunities to bring our communities together.

Developed in consultation with Indigenous communities by the UBC Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Health and UBC Extended Learning, the UBC Certificate in Aboriginal Health and Community Administration Program (AHCAP) is designed for those interested in acquiring knowledge to assist with their community's health care administration needs in building capacity and strengthening leadership and administration.

The award-winning UBC Certificate in Aboriginal Health and Community Administration Program (AHCAP) helps Indigenous communities increase their capacity to deliver services, coordinate programs and promote the health of their people.

Registration Deadline: November 15, 2018

Next session begins January 2019

Find out more here!

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) is seeking proposals for innovative, short-term projects which focus on promoting the health of indigenous women living with or at risk of HIV/HCV.

Amount available: $75,000 per fiscal year, for 2018/19 and 2019/20

Deadlines:
• Applications due: September 14, 2018
• Funding awarded: October 15, 2018

Further details and application forms available here.

Join the 2018 Downtown Eastside Honoring Children Pow Wow on Saturday, September 15, 2018. This year's Pow Wow will feature an honor song and dance special for LGBTQ dancers.

Date: Saturday, September 15, 2018

Time: 12 noon to 5:00 pm
Location: Oppenheimer Park, Vancouver

RSVP on the Facebook event here.

Evaluation Consultant​
Closing date: August 24, 2018 and 4:00pm

More info here.

​​Building Trade Contractors and Professionals​
Closing date: August 31, 2018 and 4:00pm

More info here.

Co-op Student, Projects & Partnerships Development, CEO Office
Location: West Vancouver
Deadline: August 31, 2018 at 4:00pm

Child & Youth Systems Navigator, Vancouver Island (5-6 Month Term)
Location: Vancouver Island (Oyster Bay)
Deadline: September 5, 2018 at 4:00pm

Clinical Counsellor, Mental Health & Wellness (Hub)
Location: Vancouver Island
Deadline: Open Until Filled

Community Relations Representative
Location: Northern Region
Deadline: Open until filled

Child & Youth Systems Navigator, Interior (1 Year Term)
Location: Cawston
Deadline: Open Until Filled

Community Relations Representative (Fraser Salish Region)
Location: Fraser Salish Region
Deadline: Open until filled

Dental Therapist
Location: Central Northern Region
Deadline: Open until filled

Social Worker, Campbell River
Location: Vancouver Island
Deadline: Open Until Filled

Find all job postings on our website.

Family Justice Facilitator
Organization: Carrier Sekani Family Services
Location(s): Prince George, BC
Deadline: Sep 5, 2018 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Aboriginal Child Youth Mental Health Clinician
Organization: Nisga'a Lisims Government
Location(s): Gitlaxt'aamiks, BC
Deadline: Sep 21, 2018 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Clinical Family Therapist
Organization: Nisga'a Lisims Government
Location(s): Gitlaxt'aamiks, BC
Deadline: Sep 21, 2018 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Health Care Assistant
Organization: Bridge River Indian Band
Location(s): Lillooet, BC
Deadline: Sep 21, 2018 by 12:00 AM
Job description