The First Nations Health Council (FNHC), First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), First Nation Health Directors Association (FNHDA) and BC Cancer today launched a campaign to promote increased cancer screening and awareness among the province's Indigenous populations.

The "Screen. For Wellness." campaign will specifically target increased awareness of BC's colon, cervical and breast cancer screening programs, and seek to increase the number of Indigenous people participating in cancer screening programs. Screening is an important part of cancer prevention strategies, because early detection can help improve treatment options and survival.

Read the media release here!

Building on the progress of the tripartite health initiative, the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia and the First Nations Health Council (FNHC) have agreed to take significant steps to improve First Nation mental health wellness outcomes in BC.

First Nations in BC have identified mental health and wellness as a top priority. Through discussions on the social determinants of health and wellness led by the FNHC, BC First Nations have been consistent in their calls for immediate action to improve mental health and wellness services and supports.

The announcement was made at Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey IX in Vancouver this week. Read the media release here.

Speaking at a session during Gathering Wisdom IX, Dr. Shannon McDonald outlined the steps the FNHA is taking to address the ongoing challenges.

Dr. McDonald, acting Chief Medical Health Officer with the FNHA, started by sharing data collected by the BC Coroners Service and released in a FNHA report last year. It revealed that while First Nations account for just 3.4% of BC's population, they suffer 14% of overdose events and represent 10% of overdose deaths.

"Those are scary numbers, and it's not getting better. It's getting worse," she said.

Read the session overview here.

The Red Cross has developed a resource guide for those affected by a disaster or emergency. The guide is available as a PDF from the Red Cross website and can be accessed here.

Taking small, positive steps will help you feel better and more in control in the event of an emergency or disaster.

FNHA celebrates its nurses and community nurses! Read our recap of profiles and articles here!

National Nursing Week Profile: Inez Louis

National Nursing Week Profile: Francine Gascoyne

National Nursing Week Profile: Erin Wiltse

FNHA Nurses help build capacity in three remote First Nations Communities

April MacNaughton becomes FNHA’s Director of Health Protection

Read our recap and gallery of stories cel​ebrating life givers, mothers, women who want to be mothers (and even women who don't want to be mothers) in all their complexity!

Their experiences tell the stories of intergenerational trauma, grief, fertility struggles, the 60s Scoop and the social and cultural pressures to become a mom. Ultimately, each one tells of healing and resilience, and the journey to self-acceptance and love.

Read it here!

On April 23 and 24 a Dietitians Gathering was held at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre. The Gathering was blessed with the presence of Virginia Peters, FNHDA Elder Advisor, who shared her knowledge and wisdom generously with the group. The key themes and focus of the two-day gathering included topics around cultural safety, resource sharing and food demonstrations, impacts of colonization on Indigenous food systems and ways of understanding nutrition, food insecurity, trauma-informed practice in relation to food programs and dietetic practice, and food systems change and mobilization.

Read the full post here!

Join the Dialogue via the UBC Learning Circle on May 24, 2018

The federal government will legalize non-medical cannabis use in the fall of 2018. What impacts may emerge for First Nations families, communities and individuals in British Columbia? What does this mean for issues of problematic substance use in our communities, for public safety, driving, safe access and self-determination of First Nations?

Register here: http://learningcircle.ubc.ca/2018/04/legalization-of-cannabis

When: Thursday, May 24, 2018 at 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (PST)

Administrative Assistant/Reception (18 Month Term)
Location: Prince George
Deadline: May 21, 2018 at 4:00pm

Senior Advisor, FNHC/FNHDA Secretariat (2 Vacancies)
Location: West Vancouver
Deadline: May 22, 2018 at 4:00pm

Environmental Health Officer (3 Month Term)
Location: Vancouver Island
Deadline: May 22, 2018 at 4:00pm

Regional Addictions Specialist
Location: Interior
Deadline: May 22, 2018 at 4:00pm

Senior Specialist, Communications & Public Relations
Location: West Vancouver
Deadline: May 23, 2018 at 4:00pm

Tobacco Cessation and Reduction Coordinator (1 Year Term)
Location: Vancouver Island
Deadline: May 27, 2018 at 4:00pm

Director of Operations, Nursing Corporate Office
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: Sunday, May 27, 2018 at 4:00 PM

Regional Manager, Primary Care
Location: Northern Region
Deadline: June 3, 2018 at 4:00pm

Find all our job postings on our website here.

Home Care Nurse
Organization: Tles'qox (Toosey Indian Band) Yunesit'in (Stone)
Location(s): Toosey and Stone, BC
Deadline: Open until filled
Job description

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

Home Care Nurse
Organization: Dease River First Nation
Location(s): Dease River
Deadline: Open until filled
Job description

Aboriginal Child, Youth and Family Outreach Clinician
Organization: Northern St’at’imc Outreach Health Services, Lillooet Tribal Council
Location(s): Lillooet
Deadline: Open until filled
Job description