"This story is about how we need to heal together."

In recognition of Oral Health Month, the FNHA and Connie Paul, Teltitelwet/Yetta, of Tsartlip First Nation, are pleased to share the video, “My dad’s dental story” or “My dad’s unbelievable story, untold by him.” In it, Connie, who is a Registered Nurse and Home Care Coordinator for Snuneymuxw First Nation, shares the story of her father Benny Paul’s dental experience during his time in residential school.

The video speaks to the importance of hardwiring cultural safety and humility within the dental system and the need to educate dental practitioners on how trauma can influence generations of health care clients. As Connie notes, “People have to heal with dignity or they will not heal at all.”

Watch the full video here.

The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) has secured $10.5M of funding from the province of BC to invest in the expansion of community-driven Aboriginal Head Start On-Reserve (AHSOR) programming. This funding will support more children in receiving early childhood education and includes capital and program costs to be distributed over the next two years to support new and expanded programming.

The Aboriginal Head Start On-Reserve (AHSOR) program model provides flexibility to design and deliver community based pro​grams either at a facility, similar to a preschool or childcare center, or through outreach and family support. The delivery model is decided by the community to best fit needs and priorities. Being flexible and responsive to community needs, the AHSOR model allows for shifts in program delivery modality when and as required.

Communities seeking to initiate or expand their AHSOR programs are encouraged to attend an information webinar on Wednesday April 25th, 2018 from 10 – 11AM.

Learn more here.

As part of the ongoing strategy to reduce harm from opioid drug use and save lives, the FNHA has added naloxone nasal spray as a benefit effective April 4, 2018. Nasal naloxone is the same chemical compound as injection naloxone. Both reverse the effects of an opioid overdose; the only difference is the delivery method.

To access nasal naloxone, First Nations in BC may request it directly from the pharmacy with a Status number and Personal Health Number. Nasal or injectable naloxone may be requested for clients' personal use or to protect an at-risk person. Individuals requesting naloxone do not have to specify who it is for.

Find out more and read the communique and fact-sheet here.

Agenda To Be Released Next Week!

Watch for a special eBlast on Monday for an agenda and full update on the Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey forum set for May 15-17, 2018 in Vancouver.

A reminder that the registration deadline for the Gathering Wisdom forum is Friday, April 27, 2018. The FNHC is pleased to cover the costs of three (3) representatives from each First Nation community in BC to attend the Gathering Wisdom forum this year. If you have a role in health and wellness in your community, please visit www.gathering-wisdom.ca to register today!

Focus of the Forum:
The Gathering Wisdom forum for this year will feature discussions on health, mental health and the determinants of health. Based on feedback from past forums, First Nations from across BC have been invited to share their stories of health and wellness. The purpose of the forum is promote dialogue on health and the determinants of health and showcase what works well from a community perspective.  

There will be panel presentations on key topics:

• Youth Leaders from across BC to offer opening and closing remarks
• Role of Health, Resilience and Healing in Nation Rebuilding – presentations from Herb George ‘Satsan’ (Wet’suwet’en), Sophie Pierre (Ktunaxa) and more…
• Role of Leaders in Community Health and Wellness – presentations from Chief Dean Nelson (Líl̓wat) and Chief Nathan Matthew (Simpcw), Chief Jackie Thomas (Saik'uz) and more…
• Wholistic Approaches to Health and Wellness Planning – presentations from the Stikine Wholistic Working Group, Syilx, Wet’suwet’en, Sts’ailes and more…
• Healing from Historic Trauma – presentation from Terry Cross (National Indian Child Welfare Association)
• New Partnership with the Government of Canada and the Province of BC on Mental Health
• Indigenous Cancer Care Journeys
• First Nations Health Authority Update

We encourage First Nation community representatives to register as soon as possible. For information on registration and the forum itself, please see the FAQ on www.gathering-wisdom.ca.

“Indigenous teachings lead Indigenous practices.”

​On March 12-15, more than 45 community health leaders gathered in Vancouver for the third annual FNHA Quality Improvement and Safety (QIS) Network Forum. Hosted by the FNHA Community Accreditation and Quality Improvement (CAQI) Program, the Network’s approach to quality improvement initiatives continues to be “Indigenous teachings lead Indigenous practices.” The annual forum builds upon a province-wide quality network and facilitates ongoing leadership and mentorship of health and wellness services by and for BC First Nations.

The Forum is an opportunity for peers to actively connect with fellow colleagues, access new learning opportunities, share leading practices and build supporting resources. It also provides space and time for engagement and knowledge exchange in order to bring new energy, connection and learning back to participants’ health services and communities.

Read the full post here.

For Oral Health Month we are profiling members of our Oral Health Team.

Melanie Braker, Dental Therapist, is from the Nuu-chah-nulth Nation in Port Alberni, BC. In her role with the FNHA, Melanie provides oral health care to First Nations communities on Vancouver Island, often travelling by boat, logging roads and float planes to remote areas.

“I bring along my state of the art portable equipment, including digital x-ray unit to deliver a wide range of services, including Dental Therapy and Children’s Oral Health Initiative (COHI) programs,” said Melanie. “It makes me happy to know that my work as a Dental Therapist impacts people’s overall oral health. I love it when children run up to me to say, ‘Look at my teeth!’” Seeing all the beautiful smiles that I helped create in the communities and knowing that I am making a difference by providing education, dental checkups and treatment.”

Melanie works with a wide range of health care professionals and community workers to support and encourage individuals and families to make oral health and oral care a regular part of family life, and to make healthy choices in overall health. oral health and wellness. She says she enjoys the supportive dynamics within the FNHA oral health team.

The shared value and commitment to the FNHA’s vision of healthy, self-determining and vibrant BC First Nations Children, Families and Communities is why Melanie loves working at the FNHA.

“As a First Nations Dental Therapist, it has always been my dream to work within my communities and be a part of improving our overall oral health and wellbeing. I am truly living my dream!”

Organized by FNHA’s Trish Howard and her CEC team, representa​tives from across the Northern Region had three packed days for networking, training, and keynote speeches. The first day’s cultural sharing ​included a drumming performance by the local Kastan Drumming Group, and the day finished with Maori, Tessa Karangawai Fraser (who was decorated with a traditional moko face tattoo), teaching six fearless volunteers how to do a Maori warrior chant.

Read more here.

The BC Patient Safety & Quality Council is seeking a student intern to work within an FNHA team over June to August 2018.

The project summary is entitled "Continuous Quality Improvement in Indigenous Health Care: Identifying Opportunities for Accreditation to Reflect Indigenous Philosophies & Cultural & Traditional Approaches to Wellness"

Acting as part of a senior-level multidisciplinary team, the student intern will work in a policy and process analysis role to provide the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and its health system partners with information and recommendations to support the development of Indigenous-specific continuous quality improvement (CQI) initiatives.

For more infomation and to apply online visit the link here.

Closing Date: May 13, 2018

Policy Analyst (Term)
Location: Vancouver
Monday, April 23, 2018 at 4:00 p.m.

Health Benefits Assessor (Term)
Location: Vancouver
Monday, April 23, 2018 at 4:00 p.m.

Student, Interior Region
Location: Cawston
April 24, 2018 at 4:00pm

Manager, Recruitment Services
Location: West Vancouver
April 30, 2018 at 4:00pm

Dental Therapist
Location: Central Northern Region
Open until filled

Clinical Nurse Advisor, Immunization (2 Year Term)
Location: Vancouver
Open until filled

Clinical Nurse Specialist, Substance Use (Term)
Location: Vancouver
Open until filled

Indigenous Primary Care Access Coordinator (2 Year Term)
Location: Northern
Terrace Open until filled

Find all our job postings on our website here.

Program Director
Organization: Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society
Location(s): Lantzville
Deadline: May 11, 2018 by 11:55 PM
Job description

Community Health Nurse
Organization: Dzawada’enuxw First Nation
Location(s): Kingcome Inlet B.C.
Deadline: May 4, 2018 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Regional Sport and Physical Activity Coordinator – Northwest Region
Organization: I-Sparc
Location(s): Northwest Region BC
Deadline: May 1, 2018 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Program Assistant
Organization: PHSA Indigenous Youth Wellness Program
Location(s): Vancouver
Deadline: Apr 30, 2018 by 11:55 PM
Job description

View more job postings here.