Reach out to people who are struggling with addiction.

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

The theme of this year's National Addictions Awareness Week is Words Matter. And in the midst of our current public health emergency, I urge each of us to examine how we think and talk about substance use.

I'll start off with an important message that could save lives: If someone you love is struggling with substance use, the best thing you can do to help is to love them unconditionally. Being connected to family, friends or community—and feeling loved, valued and supported—is the best medicine there is to counteract addiction, according to many experts in the field. Research shows that not having deep emotional needs met (often as a result of childhood trauma, which can cause people to avoid further pain by "disconnecting" from others) is the main reason for addiction.

Read this in full on our website here.

Thirty years ago, on in October of 1987, then Minister of Health and Welfare Canada Jake Epp proclaimed the third week of November of each year as National Addiction Awareness Week. Recognizing that First Nations addictions issues required specific focus, National Aboriginal Addictions Awareness Week was launched in 1989 with support from the Medical Services Branch and the Nechi Institute.

This weekend I was reflecting on this 30 year anniversary and how BC First Nations people and communities have shown tremendous leadership not only in addictions services but also more broadly in a healing movement, nationally and internationally.

Read more here.

The work is not done yet. Community-driven initiatives support ending violence against Indigenous women and girls​.

Recent events in BC draw attention to the ongoing need for community-driven support and safety for women and girls. To promote resilience and healing, all five First Nations Health Authority regions are re-opening applications for $1,000 Commitment Stick grants to hold events or ceremonies to end violence against Indigenous women and girls.

Application deadlines are:

North – December 15, 2017
Vancouver Island – December 1, 2017
Interior – December 1, 2017
Fraser Salish - December 1, 2017
Vancouver Coastal – December 1, 2017

Learn more about the Commitment Sticks and apply for your community grant here. 

November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and Tuesday, November 14, is World Diabetes Day, so I'd like to talk about preventing diabetes by cutting down on added sugars. Diabetes continues to impact the quality of life of our people; someone you love may already be dealing with this disease and doing what they can to manage their blood sugar levels.

As a physician, I know that one of the best things we can all do for our health - and our family's health - is to reduce the amount of added sugar and increase the amount of fiber we consume. As a human being, however, I know that cutting down on added sugars is easier said than done, so I'm sharing with you the strategies I find most helpful in my personal health and wellness journey. Please read on and learn - or be reminded - about how you can control, prevent or lessen the risk of diabetes for yourself and your children.

Read the full message here.

Coast Salish Territory – Victoria, BC – The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and BC Coroners Service (BCCS) have released a new report that shares key findings and recommendations to prevent unintended First Nations youth and young adult injury and deaths in BC. A ceremony in the BC Legislature today marked the release of the BCCS and FNHA Death Review Panel: A Review of First Nation Youth and Young Adult Injury Deaths: 2010-2015 report.

The panel states that these First Nations unexpected deaths are preventable, and that prevention approaches must consider the unique cultural diversity, community strengths and protective factors, as well as factors that wear away at resilience. Many youth and young adults in the report had previous contact with supporting system such as schools, health care, community supports and services, but experienced barriers to accessing support. These represent missed opportunities to support these young First Nations people.

Read more here. 

​​​Nations emphasize health through ceremony, Nation-rebuilding and self-determination​.

Political and Health Leadership from the Dãkelh Dené, Ktunaxa, Nlaka'pamux, Secwepemc, St'át'imc, Syilx and Tsilhqot'in — gathered for the 2017 Interior Regional caucus November 7-9 in Tk'emlups, Secwépemc Territory. The dialogue over the three-days was chaired by Ko'waintco Michel (Nlaka'pamux) and Chief Charlene Belleau.

Hosted by the First Nations Health Council, First Nations Health Authority, and First Nations Health Directors Association, the Interior regional caucus had over 199 participants. Fourteen chiefs and eight proxies were in attendance, alongside delegates representing 40 of 54 Interior communities.

Read the full story here.

Elder care in the seven First Nations of the Interior to be delivered closer to home.​

Interior Health and the First Nations Health Authority announced a shared investment of $3 million to bring Elder care closer to home. IH will contribute $2 million dollars on an ongoing annual basis for a nursing enhancement to support First Nations Elders and those living with chronic conditions. The FNHA will contribute $1 million dollars to support communities in preparedness. Together, this joint investment will benefit approximately 4,450 Elders in the Interior region.

Read more here.

On September 28 and 29, the Research and Knowledge Exchange team, in partnership with FNHA’s Nuu-chah-nulth Community Engagement Coordinator, Simon Fraser University, Island Health, University of Victoria and Royal Roads University, hosted the “Trauma-Informed and Culturally Safe Emergency Care for Nuu-chah-nulth Elders Workshop” in Port Alberni. Over 60 participants attended the workshop including Elders and community members from 10 of the 15 Nuu-chah-nulth communities as well as regional and local health leaders and providers.

Read more here! 

The FNHA Telehealth Expansion Project and CEO Joe Gallagher are among the 2018 Quality Award winners, announced by the BC Patient Safety & Quality Council.

The Telehealth Expansion Project is being honoured with a Staying Healthy Award for supporting 45 rural and remote First Nations communities to build capacity and bring culturally relevant care closer to home through telehealth technology. Joe Gallagher is honoured with the Leadership in Quality Award for his leadership in advancing cultural safety and humility to improve the quality of care for BC First Nations.

Read more here.

The Justice Institute of BC offers free training for First Nations communtiies to prepare for emerencies. Find out more through the links below. 

Introduction to Emergency Social Services

Introduction to Reception Centres

2017/2018 Civil Forfeiture Crime Prevention and Remediation Grant program is now accepting applications. Applications are available for the following funding streams:

• Crime Reduction and Community Safety
• Indigenous Healing and Rebuilding
• Serving Victims Through Restorative Justice: Building Program Capacity
• Addressing Violence Against Women: Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
• Human Trafficking, Sexual Exploitation and Vulnerable Women in the Sex Trade
• Child and Youth Advocacy Centres
• Enhancing Domestic Violence Units

Application forms and the Application Guide can be found here.

Application deadline: 4:30 p.m. December 15, 2017.

Legal Services: Employment, Labour and OH&S
Closing date/time: November 22, 2017 at 4PM PST
More info here

Consultant in Designing Planning and Construction Contract Administration​
Closing date/time: November 22, 2017 at 4PM PST​​
More info here

Northern Regional Asset Map​ping Framework Development, Support & Report​
Closing Date: Nov 29, 2017 at 4PM PST​​
More info here

​Supply of IT Hardware and Software Services​
Closing Date: Dec 07, 2017 at 4PM PST​​
More info here

Data Entry Operator
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: November 20, 2017 at 4:00 pm

Senior Program and Financial Analyst
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: November 20, 2017 at 4:00 PM

Director Health, Safety & Wellness
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: November 20th 2017 at 4:00 PM

Senior Consultant, Organization Effectiveness
Location: West Vancouver
Deadline: November 21, 2017 at 4:00PM

Senior Specialist, Learning & Development
Location: West Vancouver
Deadline: November 21, 2017 at 4:00pm

Director, Learning & Development
Location: West Vancouver
Deadline: November 21, 2017 at 4:00pm

Community Health Nurse, Resource Team
Location: Northern (Multiple locations)
Deadline: Open Ended Posting

See all job postings on our website here.

Learn more about nursing careers at the FNHA here!

Mental Wellness Facilitator
Organization: Splatsin First Nation
Location(s): Enderby
Deadline: Nov 30, 2017 by 11:55 PM
Job description

Provincial Aboriginal Child Care Advisor
Organization: BC Aboriginal Child Care Society
Location(s): West Vancouver
Deadline: Nov 24, 2017 by 11:55 PM
Job description

National Native Alcohol and Drug Addictions Program Worker
Organization: Stz’uminus First Nation
Location(s): Ladysmith
Deadline: Nov 21, 2017 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Medical Office Assistant
Organization: Tsawout First Nation
Location(s): Saanichton
Deadline: Nov 17, 2017 by 4:00 PM
Job description