June 21st Day of Wellness events are part of an annual wellness movement for First Nations peoples in BC. This is an opportunity to shine light on the strength of your community, to bring people together, connect with health care professionals and wellness champions in an environment of cultural pride and celebration.

This year, we encourage communities to show your cultural pride by bringing together the Wisdom of Elders and the Energy of Youth in your Day of Wellness celebrations.​

Learn more about this opportunity and apply online here.

​​​Early detection means optimal chance of successful treatment​

A message from Dr. Kelsey Louie, FNHA Medical Officer, Primary Care

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month -- and National Kidney Health Awareness Month -- and National Liver Health Awareness Month -- so it's an opportune time to talk about the importance of regular checkups with your physician about these things. The main message I'd like to share is that with some adjustments to your lifestyle, including regular screening, these and many other health problems are preventable -- or at least detectable, treatable and beatable!

Click here for some facts about each, including who should get screened, what screening entails, and how to lessen your risks.​

Te'ta-in (Shane Pointe) of Musqueam and Syexwaliya (Ann Whonnock) of Squamish selected as Knowledge Keepers

The FNHA is pleased to announce the appointment of male and female Knowledge Keepers Te'ta-in (Shane Pointe) from Musqueam and Syexwaliya (Ann Whonnock) from Squamish. Both Elders have strong Indigenous worldviews, ancestral knowledge and traditional teachings, and are widely respected and acknowledged for the level of service, work and energy that they have committed to their communities.

Learn more about FNHA's new Knowledge Keepers here.

What you can do to support yourself and / or those impacted.

A message from Dr. Unjali Malhotra, FNHA Medical Officer, Women’s Health

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, a time for us to think and talk about this “invisible” health condition that afflicts an estimated five to ten per cent of women between the ages of 15 and 44, including Indigenous women. In some women -- but not all -- endometriosis can mean pain, especially during your period, and/or impaired fertility.

Learn more about endometriosis and its impacts here.

To mark World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, March 24, FNHA would like to share updated information on our TB services. The In’ati Is’ick TB services program includes consultation and support to Community Health Nurses, Community Wellness Workers and First Nations Health Service Organizations.

In’ati Is’ick means to paddle across in Chinook language. Persons experiencing tuberculosis are not alone; we are paddling together to get across the divide of illness and colonization to the shores of wellness and Indigenous revitalization.

Read more and find the In'ati Is'ick TB services program guide here.

On October 1, 2017, FNHA clients joined a newly created Plan W (Wellness) within the PharmaCare system. Transitional Special Authorities (SAs) through FNHA's Plan W provided coverage for clients, ensuring their therapies continued.

Specific to each drug, some SAs have expiry dates. When an SA expires, prescribers such as doctors and nurse practitioners can reapply for the SA through the regular PharmaCare process. Due to the exceptional nature of the Transitional Special Authority coverage, additional documentation from the prescriber may be required to renew these SAs, including information on patient diagnosis, benefit seen to date, and rationale to continue.

Learn more here.

The FNHC is now accepting applications for First Nation leaders aged 16 to 30 years to participate in the inaugural Youth Leaders Program at Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey IX, May 15-17, 2018. There are 10 spots available – one male and one female from each BC region. The 10 Youth Leaders selected will be asked to address an audience of 700 First Nation leaders and health leads from across BC.

As we have heard from many, the voice of youth is vitally important to the work we have in front of us. The Youth Leaders Program is an opportunity for aspiring First Nations leaders from across BC to attend the Gathering Wisdom forum, learn from the leaders around them, and take part in a provincial-level dialogue on the health and well-being of First Nations in BC.

The registration deadline for Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey IX is April 27, 2018.

Learn more and register online here.

COWICHAN TERRITORY – DUNCAN, BC - Cowichan Tribes is honoured to host Elders from across the province in our traditional territory to attend the 42nd Annual BC Elders’ Gathering on July 10-12 at Island Savings Centre.

The Elders’ Gathering is an event that brings Elders together to make connections, learn and celebrate through workshops and cultural demonstrations. The Elders’ Gathering website was launched in January 2018 and those interested can register and find additional details at www.eldersgathering.ca.

Learn more here.

Regional Caucuses, Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey IX and FNHDA Mentorship Circles.

The First Nations Health Council (FNHC) and the First Nations Health Directors Association (FNHDA) invite First Nations communities, organizations supporting First Nations people and partners working in the area of health and wellness to submit a short description for presentations.

The sharing of “wise practices” (or best practices) are important approaches that both the FNHC and FNHDA value and seek both in gifting and being open to new learnings.

Learn more and apply here.

The FNHA - Nursing Services is pleased to invite you to this year’s Health Care Assistant (HCA) Education Forum. This forum will be held on May 9 – 10, 2018 at the Pacific Gateway Hotel in Richmond, BC.

HCAs will have hands-on learning and networking opportunities and share ideas for success with other Health Care Assistants from First Nation Communities in BC.

Register for the forum here.

The Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia (UBC), in partnership with the FNHA, is seeking applications for appointment to the First Nations Health Authority Chair in Cancer and Wellness at UBC. The successful candidate will be recommended for a tenure-track or tenure appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor in the School of Population and Public Health, dependent on the Successful Candidate's qualifications and experience.

You can watch a video about the new Chair in Cancer and Wellness at UBC here.

Learn more about this opportunity here.

Soul retrieval is the ability to return to the traumatic event to retrieve the missing part of self. Returning enables the soul –- emotions, beliefs and physiological experiences –- to become clear. Returning enables the individual to bring together splintered parts of spirit, body and mind.

If you missed it last month, you can now watch the recording of this webinar hosted by UBC Learning Circle with FNHA's Director of Mental Wellness Patricia Vickers.

Watch it here.

Third Party Provider for Health Benefits
Closing date: May 10, 2018 and 4:00pm
More info here.

Chronic Care & Wellness Advisor (2 Year Term)
Location: Northern
Deadline: March 23, 2018 at 4:00pm

Community Relations Representative
Location: All Regions
Deadline: March 25, 2018 at 4:00pm

Nursing Program Administrative Assistant (Term)
Location: Anahim Lake
Deadline: April 2, 2018 at 4:00pm

Community Engagement Coordinator
Location: Chilliwack
Deadline: April 2, 2018 at 4:00pm

Clinical Nurse Specialist, Substance Use (Term)
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: April 2, 2018 at 4:00 pm

Project Manager, Nation Shared Services
Location: Interior Region
Deadline: April 6, 2018 at 4:00pm

Executive Assistant to VP HR (Term -1 year)
Location: West Vancouver
Deadline: April 9, 2018 at 4:00 pm

Child and Youth Health Systems Navigator (Term)
Location: Cawston
Deadline: Open Until Filled

Find all our job postings on our website here.

Community Registered Nurse
Organization: T'silhqt'in National Government
Location(s): Anaham Reserve, B.C.
Deadline: Mar 26, 2018 by 4:00 AM
Job description

Project Leader, Clinical Operations
Organization: Fraser Health (Aboriginal Primary Care)
Location(s): Surrey or Chilliwack
Deadline: until filled
Job description

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

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

Aboriginal Justice Facilitator
Organization: Prince Rupert Aboriginal Community Services Society
Location(s): Prince Rupert BC
Job description