Above: June 21 Strengthening the Circle - Day of Wellness event at Royal Heights Elementary School in Surrey. Image from Lise Tilden‏ via Twitter. 

Over 160 events supported by the FNHA took place across BC on June 21 as part of the National Aboriginal Day of Wellness celebrations. Congratulations to all the participants, volunteers and hosts that made this day a success! 

Share your stories, photos or videos! Find us on social media and tag us! @FNHA and #FNHAWellness 

Find out more about the events that took place here! 

​​​Smoke and wildfires can be a serious health hazard for communities across the province. The FNHA would like to provide some health information tips for those who may find themselves in close proximity to wildfires.

If you are in an emergency dial 9-1-1 or a local emergency contact number immediately.

For non-emergency health information and services visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca or call 8-1-1 toll-free, 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can also contact your community health nurse or environmental health officer. Find your local EHO here.

Read this item in full on our website here. 

Over the weekend of March 24-26, 2017, forty-five men from twenty communities in northern BC gathered at Camp Friendship on Tsitniz Lake.

Once there, they participated in time-honoured ceremonies to ground them for discussions, which included: community-based concepts of masculinity, what it is to be a man, men’s wellness, traditional wellness, domestic and partner violence, community readiness for moving forward, and planning for the short, medium and long term.

They were joined by Elders, First Nations Health Authority staff, representatives from the DUDES Club, youth, the kitchen team, a graphic illustrator and videographers.

This video shows highlights of the 2017 Northern Indigenous Guys Gathering.

Congratulations to all the guys who participated! Watch it here. 

Summertime is an opportunity to get out, stay active and connect with the land, family and friends. However, during these activities we may forget to pay attention to the hot weather and how it can impact our health.

To help beat the heat during heat waves, here are a few recommendations to help Elders, children, families, and communities stay well and cool during these hot months!

Read it here! 

Elder Leonard George (Səl̓ilwətaɁɬ First Nation) speaks to BC's Health Regulators during a FNHA Blanket Ceremony held at the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia on Coast Salish Territory, May 11, 2017

Representatives of the regulatory bodies that govern 23 different health professions in BC came together with the First Nations Health Authority to participate in a Blanket Ceremony earlier this month.

Led by Elder Leonard George (Səl̓ilwətaɁɬ First Nation), the ceremony was the next step in the partnership journey that began when BC's health regulators signed onto the Declaration of Commitment to Cultural Safety and Humility in March 2017.

Read more here!

How does racism function as a social determinant of Indigenous peoples’ health? What does racism look like in our health system? In attempting to reduce the harms of racism for Indigenous peoples, we must understand its complex roots in Canadian society, the pathways it travels in our systems and institutions and the ways it manifests in our relationships.

Join Dr. Charlotte Loppie, Professor in the School of Public Health and Social Policy, Faculty of Human and Social Development, University of Victoria, Director of the Centre for Indigenous Research and Community-Led Engagement, and Editor of the International Journal of Indigenous Health for this informative webinar!

No pre-registration is required. Find out more here!

Above: Students at Majagaleehl Galiaks School.

Carmen George (Penelakut First Nation) is known around her community as “the tooth fairy.” You may have guessed that "toot​h fairy" is not Carmen's official job title, but it is pretty close. She is a COHI Aide – a community member hired by her Nation to support oral health as part of FNHA Health Benefits Children's Oral Health Initiative (COHI).

Carmen is one of 62 COHI Aides in 76 First Nations around BC funded and trained by FNHA Health Benefits. COHI Aides are an essential link between dental professionals and the community. Their role is to support and encourage families to make oral health a regular part of family life, and to make healthy choices in caring for their young children.

Read the full story here! 

In March, the FNHA launched the Youth Respecting Tobacco campaign and contest for 13-16-year-old First Nations teens in BC. Since the campaign was launched, the video PSAs have been viewed almost 7,000 times on YouTube!

We've now extended the deadline for the Youth Video Contest to August 31, 2017!

Please help us spread the word to teens and their families throughout summer that youth still have a chance to win $1,000 for creating a video of their own about smoking prevention.

Videos only need to be 15-60 seconds in length. Everything you need to know about the contest and the campaign is here: www.fnha.ca/youth.

Submit Your Abstracts by September 8.

Over 1,200 people will be at Quality Forum 2018: People Powered Improvement, happening in Vancouver from February 21-23! Here's your chance to tell them about your work on any topic related to improving quality of care.

Find out all the info here! 

Maintenance, Repair & Upgrade of Medical Equipment​
Closing Date: July 7, 2017 4:00 pm Pacific Time
More info here.

Mobile Medical Unit​​​
Closing Date: July 17, 2017 4:00 pm Pacific Time
More info here.

Delivery of the 8 module Curriculum - FNHDA Certification Program​
Closing Date: July 7, 2017 4:00 pm Pacific Time
More info here.

Internet Service Provider 
Closing Date: July 18, 2017 4:00 pm Pacific Time
More info here.

Family Wellness Navigator
Location(s): North Island
Deadline: June 30, 2017 at 4:00 PM
Job description

Wellness Nurse Navigator
Location(s): Chilliwack
Deadline: July 3, 2017 at 4:00 PM
Job description

Coordinator, Event Planning, Wellness Programs Support
Location(s): Vancouver
Deadline: July 4, 2017 at 4:00 PM
Job description

Indigenous Wellness Nurse (2 Year Term)
Location(s): Vancouver
Deadline: July 7, 2017 at 4:00 PM
Job description

Pharmacy Analyst (Term)
Location(s): Vancouver
Deadline: July 7, 2017 at 4:00 PM
Job description

Disability Case Management Specialist
Location(s): Vancouver
Deadline: July 12, 2017 at 4:00 PM
Job description

Nursing Services
Location(s): Multiple
Job description

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

Social Development Worker
Organization: Gitsegukla Band
Location(s): Gitsegukla, B.C.
Deadline: Jul 9, 2017 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Administrative Assistant
Organization: Children’s and Women’s Health Centre Aboriginal Health - BC Women’s Hospital
Location(s): Vancouver
Job description

Aboriginal Youth Community Connections Coordinator
Organization: Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association
Location(s): Surrey BC
Job description

Casual Community Health and Homecare Nurse
Organization: Kwakiutl District Council
Location(s): Campbell River BC
Job description