This week the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) launched a new health benefits plan with expanded coverage for dental and vision care, and simplified access to medical supplies and equipment.

The transition to a new benefits provider completes FNHA's goal of separating itself from the federal Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program in order to focus on the requirements of BC First Nations in the spirit of self-determination. The new plan will be administered on behalf of the FNHA by BC-based benefits provider Pacific Blue Cross.

The biggest improvement that clients will notice right away will be faster service thanks to the elimination of pre-approvals for many benefits such as reimbursements for prescription glasses, dentures and hearing aids.

Read more here.

First Nations and other residents in Metro Vancouver will have increased access to culturally safe and appropriate primary health care thanks to the Province and First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) supporting expansion of the Lu'ma Medical Centre.

"Lu'ma will help connect more people, especially Indigenous peoples, with the health care they need, when they need it," said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. "For people who have been struggling to access culturally appropriate and respectful health-care services, this will make a big difference in their lives, by linking Lu'ma to our current primary health-care strategy."

Read the full media release here.

September 10 was Suicide Prevention Day. We want to talk about Life Promotion for the young people in our communities, and who better to ask than members of the Life Promotion for All My Relations (LPAMR) youth advisory committee?

The LPAMR youth advisory committee is an incredible group of young leaders and one Elder who were motivated to make a difference through their own personal experiences with mental health and suicide. The LPAMR members have developed and delivered a wide range of community-specific activities to promote life in their home and neighbouring communities. Some examples include: #WeMatter workshop facilitation, mental health presentations at Culture Camps for Indigenous youth, cedar weaving workshops, dance instruction, organizing SafeTALK and ASIST workshops, and now – a video for youth.

Watch the video short here!

Come to Vancouver to learn more about climate change and health adaptation at AC 2020 conference!

Adaptation Canada 2020 is Canada’s national conference on climate change adaptation that will take place February 19-21, 2020 in Vancouver. The conference program includes a great number of Indigenous presenters from across Canada, as well as panels and presentations relevant to First Nations health practitioners interested in learning more about climate change and health adaptation. Sheila Watt-Cloutier, Inuit, Author, and Environmental, Cultural and Human Rights Advocate, will be the keynote speaker for the closing plenary address at AC 2020. We are also arranging an Indigenous meet and greet event at the conference.

Financial support for travel
First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) offers travel bursaries to BC First Nations health staff, health managers or council members with the health portfolio who want to participate in the Adaptation Canada 2020 conference.

The FNHA bursary will cover registration and travel for the first 20 people who register and apply for funding before December 2, 2019, during the Early Bird registration. The offer is limited to one person/community.

For further information and your bursary application form, please contact:

Paivi Abernethy
FNHA Climate Change and Health Specialist
T: 250-208-6139 | E: paivi.abernethy@fnha.ca.

You can find out more about the conference program at https://www.adaptationcanada2020.ca/

The Food Security – Provincial Initiatives Fund was established to support food security projects and initiatives in British Columbia, specifically those projects and initiatives that are regional in scope and foster cross‐sectoral partnerships to address household food insecurity and develop or strengthen local food systems and economies. Projects should contribute to community access to healthy, affordable and culturally appropriate food.

Up to $750,000 is available for distribution.
Grant request size: $100,000 ‐ $250,000

The deadline for applications is October 14, 2019 at 11:59pm.

Find out more in our Facebook post here.

Visit them online here: https://victoriafoundation.bc.ca/

Join the UBC Learning Circle for the 2019 Indigenous Speaker Series with Lisa Boivin where she will share how her art depicts the link between history and poor health outcomes for Indigenous patients. Lisa utilizes her artistic skills to understand and assert Indigenous worldviews, which promotes individual and community learning. This event will have two registrations, one for the webinar and one for the workshop.

Everyone is welcome to participate in this special UBC Learning Circle in person at the Long House

OR via Webinar

Date: Thursday, October 3rd, 2019 (PST)
Time: 10 a.m. to 11:30 am
Where: Videoconference OR internet webinar.
Registration: required to participate

Find out more and register online here!

Policy Analyst
Location: Cawston
Deadline: September 23, 2019 at 4:00 pm

Environmental Health Officer
Location: Westbank
Deadline: September 23, 2019 at 4:00 PM

Community Engagement Coordinator
Location: Abbotsford (Matsqui Office)
Deadline: September 23, 2019 at 4:00 pm

Officer, Web Communications Content Management (SharePoint Upgrade Project)
Location: West Vancouver
Deadline: September 23, 2019 at 4:00pm

Community Health Practice Consultant
Location: Kelowna
Deadline: September 26, 2019

Indigenous Wellness Educator
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: September 26, 2019 at 4:00 p.m.

Community Health Nurse, Nursing Station - Tsay Keh Dene Northern
Location: Tsay Keh Dene
Deadline: October 1, 2019

Payroll Administrator (Term role)
Location: West Vancouver
Deadline: October 4, 2019 at 4:00pm

Find all job postings on our website.

Home Care Nurse
Organization: Dease River First Nation
Location(s): Dease River
Deadline: Open until filled
Job description

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

Occupational Therapist
Organization: Ts’ewulhtun Health Centre
Location(s): Duncan
Deadline: Open until filled
Job description

Community Health Nurse
Organization: Xeni Gwet’in
Location(s): Xeni Gwet’in
Deadline: Open until filled
Job description