A letter to communities from Dr. Evan Adams

As you are aware, dried cannabis, cannabis oils, plants and seeds were legalized in Canada on October 17, 2018. The federal government made the decision to legalize non-medical cannabis based on evidence suggesting that the prohibition of cannabis has not reduced cannabis use and associated harms. The main objectives of legalization are to prevent youth from accessing cannabis, to protect public health and safety through product safety and quality requirements, to deter criminal activity by imposing serious criminal penalties for those operating outside the legal framework, and to reduce the burden on the criminal justice system in relation to cannabis. Edibles and other cannabis products (such as beverages and candy) will not be legal until separate federal legislation passes, which may occur in 2019.

Read the full letter here.

FNHA is on a journey to improve Health Benefits. As we move forward in our transition off of the national system for Dental, Vision and Medical Supplies & Equipment we would like to share our engagement approach. 

In an effort to ensure that our direction is in line with the needs and advice of BC First Nations, the FNHA is distributing a Regional Engage​ment Guide regarding the Health Benefits programs to be delivered by a new third party partner. This Guide is the foundation of a multi-level community participation process including working with the First Nations Health Directors Association to obtain technical advice and supporting a series of focus groups intended to bring forward concerns, as well as hear solutions regarding current challenges.

Find out more and read the guide and questionnaire here.

October 10 was World Mental Health Day. Read a World Mental Health Day message from Dr. Nel Wieman.

As the FNHA serves First Nations and other Indigenous people in BC, I'll focus my message on this segment of youth and young adults. Certainly there's no question that our young people are living in a fast-moving world with multiple challenges: maintaining their own individual overall health and wellness (mental, emotional, physical and spiritual); home and family life; friendships and possible intimate relationships; the pressures of peers and social media, school and/or work; the environment around them; and uncertainties in their identities, families, communities and the wider world.

Read the full message here.

I hope that everybody who's taking the Sober (or Soberer) Challenge is feeling some good effects. Sober October is a great opportunity to focus on or try out a different life choice for at least a defined period.

In my own life, it has been at least 21 years for abstention from alcohol, and this includes other substances that have not been part of my life. My partner has also been a non-user for at least that long, so this has been an important family lifestyle choice. We believe that our decision to be sober has yielded immeasurable benefits to us, our family, and our professional experiences.

Read the full message here.

A message from Dr. Unjali Malhotra, Medical Director, Women's Health, FNHA Office of the Chief Medical Officer (OCMO)

Although breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among First Nations women in British Columbia – over a lifetime (if a woman lives to 80 years old), the risk of breast cancer is one in eight – there are many lifestyle choices we can make that are impactful on maintaining breast health and reducing risks. In fact, 42 per cent of breast cancers are linked to lifestyle, while 10 per cent or less are linked to genetics, according to the BC Cancer Association (BCCA).

Read the full post here.

Through the Emergency Management Assistance Program, project funding is available through Indigenous Services Canada for First Nations-led emergency management preparedness and non-structural mitigation initiatives. The objective of this funding stream is to support the building of First Nations' capacity, knowledge and skills so First Nations communities are equipped and prepared to mitigate against, respond to and recover from emergency disasters. This call for applications prioritizes the support of local efforts in non-structural mitigation and emergency preparedness through small-scale projects that will enhance community preparedness for and/or mitigation against all-hazard disaster risks such as wildland fires, flooding, landslides, tsunamis, severe weather, etc.

Learn more and apply here.

Funding Guidelines can be found here.

Project Applications Work Plans.

The Breastfeeding Art Expo is an Interior BC project that was led by Interior Health and KCR-Community Resources and was supported by six funders including the First Nations Health Authority. This large Expo of 150 art pieces travelled from June 2017-June 2018 to Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton Indian Band En'owkin Cultural Centre, Trail, Williams Lake and Kamloops. The Expo included community art, independent art and a series of 21 videos. Art is recognized as an important tool for Indigenous people for health and healing, and the Breastfeeding Art Expo has a proud and important Indigenous component.

Read more and see pictures here.

The First Nations Health Directors Association is seeking a Health Director, FNHA Member from each region who can deliver a Community Health Planning Best Practice for the upcoming Caucus forums. The presentation on Community Health and Wellness Planning should be able to provide or relate the context to specific examples of regional community-based wise practices.

Should you have a Community Health Planning Best Practice that you wish to share during the regional caucus forums, please submit presentations online at OPEN CALL: FNHDA Member Community Health Planning Best Practice Presentation.

Do you have an idea to improve the health and wellness of your community? The PlanH Health and Wellness Grant for Indigenous Communities is for Indigenous local governments or Friendship Centres in BC. Focus areas could include social or cultural connectedness, food security, healthy built and natural environments, healthy aging, or other topics.

Grants of up to $8,500 each are available for up to 10 Indigenous local governments and/or Friendship Centres. Successful applicants will receive funding, resources, and support from BC Healthy Communities staff.

Applications will be accepted until November 5, 2018. Learn more here: https://planh.ca/training-support/funding

Join the Pacific AIDS Network for a webinar on the intersections of HIV and TB in Indigenous communities.

This webinar will be presented by Isa Wolf, Clinical Nurse Specialist in tuberculosis (TB) with First Nations Health Authority. Health and cultural factors play roles in how to best support people facing HIV, TB, or both. Isa will help attendees leave with a better understanding of the layers of HIV and TB and how they impact one another.

Date: Wednesday October  24th

Time: 10 – 11 AM Pacific time

Register here.

This fall, the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC) is conducting a province-wide engagement process that will result in a renewed provincial strategy for Indigenous sport, physical activity and recreation in BC.

These Regional Engagement Sessions provide a critical forum for individuals, community leaders, organizations and stakeholders working in the areas of sport, recreation, physical activity, health, education, and youth programming.

Dates:

October 29 - Prince George
November 5 - Smithers
November 8 - Penticton
November 16 - Vancouver
November 19 - Abbotsford
November 27 - Campbell River

Register here.

Nursing Temporary Staffing Services

Closing dates: October 24​, 2018 at 4:00 pm PST

More info here.

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

Director, Regional Engagement
Location: Northern Region
Deadline: October 25, 2018 at 4:00pm

Senior Advisor, FNHC/FNHDA Secretariat
Location: West Vancouver
Deadline: October 26, 2018 at 4:00pm

Co-op Student - Human Resources
Location: West Vancouver
Deadline: October 29, 2018 at 4:00PM

Regional Manager, Primary Care
Location: Northern
Deadline: Northern Region October 29, 2018 at 4:00pm

Environmental Health Officer (Casual Term)
Location: Prince George
Deadline: Friday, November 2, 2018 at 4:00 p.m.

Social Worker
Location: Campbell River
Deadline: Open Until Filled

Senior Specialist, Member Services & Programs
Location: West Vancouver
Deadline: Open Until Filled

Find all job postings on our website.

Mental Health Clinician
Organization: Kitsumkalum Health Centre
Location(s): Terrace
Deadline: Open until filled
Job description

Home Care Nurse
Organization: Tl'esqox and Yunesit'in
Location(s): Tl'esqox (Toosey) and Yunesit'in (Stone), BC
Deadline: Oct 26, 2018 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Wellness Coordinator
Organization: Nlaka'pamux Nation Health Services
Location(s): Merritt, BC
Deadline: Oct 26, 2018 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Project Evaluator/Coordinator
Organization: UBC School of Population and Public Health
Location(s): Vancouver
Deadline: Oct 28, 2018 by 11:55 PM
Job description