As we celebrate the significant progress made over the past ten years in improving the quality of health service programs and delivery for First Nations and Aboriginal people, we recognize that this progress is a shared effort involving the partners, the public, First Nations and Aboriginal peoples, and health organizations.

The partners are bringing this philosophy to life at the tripartite level through the current development of the reciprocal accountability framework, which details our shared responsibilities in this new relationship and is a declaration of commitment to cultural safety and cultural humility, to be further implemented through a framework for action.

Read more about all the work underway here! 

This week is national Sexual & Reproductive Health Awareness Week (Sexual Health Week), and the theme for 2016’s campaign is our relationship status – not our romantic relationships, as might be expected, but our relationships with our health care providers, if we are patients, and with our patients, if we are health care providers.

Sex is just a part of life, but many people, including First Nations people, feel shy and awkward talking about it. This is unfortunate, as a lack of good communication between patients and health care providers can have serious consequences. If patients do not discuss their lifestyles and health care needs and concerns, they may not receive proper testing, treatment or care. 

Read the full blog here!

"As Indigenous women, part of living the vision of "healthy, self-determining and vibrant BC First Nations children, families and communities" is recognizing our sexual and reproductive health rights and self-determination over, and respect for, our bodies. Every one of us has the right to enjoy a mutually satisfying and safe relationship that is not only free from coercion and violence but also free from fear of health concerns or unintended pregnancy."

Read the full article here! 

The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) partnered with Northern Health Authority at the All-Native Basketball Tournament this week to host the Raven Room health screening and quiet space during the renowned seven-day event.

Over the week hundreds of people were screened for general health and wellness including blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, while being served several pots of locally picked Labrador tea and hand-making cedar roses. Our host, Fanny Nelson from Metlakatla First Nation, offered cedar weaving, fresh baked goods and a warm smile to everyone that stopped by. There were quite a few regulars that come to say hello to the awesome support staff.

Read the full blog post here! 

Bringing nearly 600 together young and old, men and women, Carrier Sekani Family Services held their 3rd Annual Winter Wellness Games. Highlighted by ice hockey, floor hockey and snowshoeing activities, the event brought together some of their most remote communities over the course of a January weekend providing the rare opportunity to meet, compete, and share time with each other.

Read more here! 

The Nuxalk Community enjoyed a fun day in the snow on January 17th as part of the FNHA Winter Wellness Grant initiative. Bella Coola is home to the Nuxalk Nation and due to the temperate climate in Bella Coola, locals do not get very many chances to enjoy the snow. 

The group enjoyed sliding and snowmobile tow rides in a skimmer; some youth skied and snowboarded for the first time in their lives. The volunteer ski instructor was excited to see a youth, snowboarding for the very first time, make it all the way down the hill without falling!

Read all about it here! 

Oral Health, Healthy Eating and Brief Action Planning 101

February 23 & 24, 2016 Terrace
March 1 & 2, 2016 Williams Lake
March 8 & 9, 2016 Campbell River

Tobacco Training: QuitNow Live Remaining Sessions

Vancouver Coastal: February 17
Fraser Salish: February 23
Vancouver Island: March 31

Regional Data Governance Forums

Fraser Salish: Feb. 26th & 25th Harrison Hot Springs
Interior: March 8th & 9th Kamloops
Vancouver Island: March 1st & 2nd Parksville
Vancouver Coastal March 22nd &  23rd Musqueam
Northern March 30th & 31st Prince George

YouthCO is hosting an Aboriginal Youth HIV Training & Video Making Workshop!

"As Indigenous youth we are starting, once again, to talk about issues that affect our people so that we can share information with our friends and relatives about taking care of our bodies. With colonization and residential schools, a lot of our teachings on how to take care of ourselves were lost—but we’re determined to bring back this knowledge again so that we can be the healthy people that we are meant to be!"

Deadline for applications has been extended: February 19, 2016

Event: March 24-28, 2016

Visit this link for more information and to register!

THe FNHA is recruiting a Board of Director - Director at Large. In alignment with the strategic direction of the FNHA Members, the FNHA Board of Directors is responsible for making decisions of benefit to all BC First Nations, and acting independently and solely in the best interests of the FNHA.  The Directors are expected to uphold the Society as an organization committed to ongoing learning, development and transformation, informed by appropriate performance indicators and regular evaluation and reflection.

Find our more through this link. 

#Pinkshirtday is a national anti-bullying campaign that started from humble beginnings (read about it here) and takes place on Feb. 24 this year. Students, organizations and individuals can organize events in their community and join the conversation on the Pink Shirt Day web and social media platforms and share with others about why they are involved.

Native Northwest is creating shirts with all proceeds going to community organizations who are working to end bullying and violence in First Nations communities and schools. Design by Bella Bella artist Ben Houstie.

Find out more about #Pinkshirtday here and show your #Lateralkindness! 

Youth Wellness - Healing: Tools & Methods for Youth
Date: February 16, 2016
Time: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Place: Participate live via videoconference OR computer webinar.
Registration: required to participate

Transforming Conflict - NonViolent Communication
Date: February 18, 2016
Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 noon
Place: Participate live via video conference OR computer webinar.
Registration: is required to participate

BC Early Years Centres - with Dawn Persson & Danielle Smith
Date: February 24, 2015
Time: 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Place: Participate live via videoconference OR online webinar.
Registration: is required to participate

The presentation will explore topics ranging from the fact that many Indigenous geographies are outcomes of racialized constructions about Indigenous peoples, that now form physical barriers to accessing health, through to ideas that imbedded stereotypes about Indigenous people continue to 'colour' ways health care professionals interact with Indigenous peoples, as patients, community members, or families and advocates.

Find out more and register here! 

The National Collaborating Centre on Aboriginal Health (NCCAH) also just released a few new publications, view them below: 

Understanding Depression in Aboriginal Communities and Families

Anxiety Disorders and Aboriginal Peoples in Canada: The Current State of Knowledge and Directions for Future Research

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Aboriginal People in Canada: Review of Risk Factors, the Current State of Knowledge and Directions for Further Research

The BC Court of Appeal has ruled to prohibit incentive programs for prescriptions or pharmacy services. The bylaw, put forth by the College of Pharmacists of BC, is now in effect. 

This bylaw applies to everyone in BC. No longer will you be able to collect incentives when purchasing prescription drugs or other pharmacy services. Incentives can include redeemable points, cash, gifts or other loyalty program benefits.

The bylaw is intended to protect public safety and views rewards programs for prescription drug purchases as potentially unethical and unsafe.

For more information click here.

Northern Health Imagine Grants are open to all community partners across the Northern Health region, with great ideas for health promotion, chronic disease or injury prevention projects. 

Projects must support community-based initiatives that focus on one or more of the following chronic disease prevention or health promotion priorities: Healthy Eating and Food Security; Physical Activity/ Active Living; Injury Prevention; Tobacco-Free Communities; Positive Mental Health; Prevention of Substance Harms; Healthy Early Childhood Development; or Healthy Aging

Deadline: Monday, February 29th, 2016

For more information and to apply visit the Imagine Grants webpage here.

Request for Proposals: Office Accommodation Furniture​​

Closing date/time:​ Proposals must be received before 12:00 P.M. (12:00 noon) Pacific Time on: February 15, 2016

Visit this link for more information.

​Request for Proposals: PeopleSoft Support Services​

Closing date/time: Proposals must be received before 16:00 hours (4:00 pm) Pacific Time on: February 26th, 2016

Visit this link for more information.

Board of Director – Director at Large
Location(s): Vancouver
Deadline: Mar 11, 2016 by 11:55 PM
Job description

Children's Oral Health Initiative Program Specialist
Location: Vancouver 
Deadline: Feb 12, 2016 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Clinical TB Nurse Advisor
Location: Vancouver 
Deadline: Feb 12, 2016 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Indigenous Wellness Cultural Designer
Location: Vancouver BC
Deadline: Feb 12, 2016 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Indigenous Wellness Educator
Location: Vancouver BC
Deadline: Feb 12, 2016 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Indigenous Wellness Nurse
Location: Vancouver 
Deadline: Feb 12, 2016 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Nursing Practice Consultant
Location: Vancouver 
Deadline: Feb 12, 2016 by 4:00 PM
Job description

CDC Nurse Coordinator, Immunizations
Location(s): Vancouver 
Deadline: Feb 15, 2016 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Administrative Assistant
Location: West Vancouver
Deadline: February 17, 2016 at 4:00 PM 
Job description

Health Benefits Assessor  
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: February 19, 2016 at 4:00 PM
Job description

HR Consultant 
Location: West Vancouver
Deadline: February 23 2016 at 4:00 PM 
Job description

Data Collector
Location: Multiple
Deadline: Feb 26 2016, 4:00 PM 
Job description

Chief Financial Officer
Organization:Yuułuʔiłʔath Government
Location: Hitacu
Deadline: Feb. 29, 2016 by 4:00 PM
Job Description

Addictions Support Worker
Organization: Skwlax Wellness Centre
Location(s): Chase BC
Deadline: Feb 25, 2016 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Home and Community Care Nurse
Organization: Canim Lake Band
Location(s): Canim Lake BC
Deadline: Feb 16, 2016 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Home & Community Care Nurse
Organization: Hailika’as Heiltsuk Health Centre Society
Location(s): Bella Bella
Job description

Nurse Practitioner
Organization: Wrinch Memorial Hospital
Location(s): Hazleton
Job description