A message from Dr. Shannon McDonald, Deputy Chief Medical Officer​

August 31, 2019 is International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD). It is a day when we pause to recognize the tragic losses that have been suffered by individuals, families and communities as a result of death, or a permanent injury related to drug overdose.

This is a tragic story that is occurring everywhere in the world. It has become an especially critical issue in BC, and even more specifically among First Nations people in BC. A public health emergency was declared in BC in 2016, in recognition of the number of opioid-related deaths that have occurred. In 2018 alone, 193 First Nations people in BC have been lost to a poisoned drug supply, despite many efforts to prevent these losses.

Read the full post here.

The date is fast approaching for the launch of a new health benefits plan that will be more convenient to use and expand benefit coverage in key areas for clients of the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA).

On Sept. 16, the FNHA will transition dental, vision, and medical supplies and equipment (MS&E) and select drug benefits off the federal Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program. The FNHA's new partner, BC-based benefits provider Pacific Blue Cross, will administer these benefits as of this date.

Find out more here.

​​​​The FNHA is sponsoring a 30x30 Active Challenge - an invitation to commit to the goal of doing 30 minutes of physical activity for each of the 30 days of September. FNHA Doctors Kelsey Louie and Nel Wieman have the following advice for getting started, staying motivated and keeping safe.

If you are one of the 1,500-plus people who have currently signed up for our 30x30 Active Challenge – congratulations! We've both signed up too!

If you've already signed up, we're here to help you to get off to a good start by discussing some tips for staying motivated. If you haven't signed up – yet! – we want to encourage you to participate by describing achievable strategies for anybody – and any body! It's also useful to remember why it's so helpful to be active on a regular basis.

Read the full post here!

Family Connections Ground the Yellow Wolf Powwow in Tradition and Celebration

On June 20, 2019, Angel and a team of dedicated family members hosted the Yellow Wolf children's powwow to celebrate National Indigenous People's Day with the support of an FNHA Day of Wellness Grant. Almost 200 students from Tsartlip, Pauquachin, Tsawout and Tseycum participated in the event along with their families and other visitors. In addition to the powwow dancing, Angel and her family used the grant money to extend their event to a full school day, and to support the rental of five bouncy castles and a mini golf unit.

Read more here!

Call for Papers

The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) is guest editing an issue of the International Journal of Indigenous Health (IJIH). In this call for papers, the FNHA welcomes submissions from Indigenous communities and organizations, community- and university-based researchers, and research trainees who use Indigenous cultural knowledge and values in health systems innovation.

Final submissions are due by September 30, 2019

Find out more here.

Read tips for parents and children

Back-to-school season is often framed as an exciting time of year, highlighted by TV commercials and movies that show families shopping for school supplies, and kids making new friends or playing sports. But not all kids are excited to return to the classroom, and for some, a new school year can trigger insecurities or anxiety.

So how can you support your child through these difficult feelings? Check out this blog from 2015, sharing back-to-school tips and information for parents and their kids. 

Back-to-school season can cause emotional triggers. If you need support, you can contact the 24-hour KUU-US Indigenous Crisis Line at 1-800-588-8717.

For Colleagues and Elders - Monday Oct 7—Thursday Oct 24

The five week Trauma Program and three week Elder & Colleague Program are intended for those individuals who are currently active in treatment for trauma with a community Counsellor. In addition these programs are suitable for those who have been clear of drugs and alcohol addiction for a minimum of six months.

These programs are offered to address mental health issues associated with sexual abuse, unresolved grief, survivors of residential school, intergenerational survivors, and substance abuse. This Vancouver Island Aboriginal residential wellness centre provides healing through balanced state-of-the-art therapy programs that acknowledge and support physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.

To apply please contact Tsow-Tun Le Lum

250.390.3123

info@tsowtunlelum.org

Find out more here.

Manager, Regional Operations
Location: Vancouver Island
Deadline: August 27, 2019 at 4:00 PM

Senior Planner
Location: Prince George
Deadline: August 28, 2019 at 4:00 PM

Officer, Web Communications Content Management (SharePoint Upgrade Project)
Location: West Vancouver
Deadline: September 3, 2019 at 4:00pm

Regional Mental Health & Wellness Liaison
Location: Chilliwack
Deadline: September 3, 2019 at 4pm

Clinical Project Manager, Primary Care
Location: Vancouver
Deadline: September 5, 2019 at 4:00 pm

Community Wellness Initiatives Facilitator
Location: Abbotsford
Deadline: September 5, 2019 at 4:00 pm

Data Collector - Three (3) Positions
Location: Multiple Locations
Deadline: September 5, 2019 at 4:00pm

Manager, Recruitment & Selection
Location: West Vancouver
Deadline: September 10, 2019 at 4:00pm

Find all job postings on our website.

Locum Physicians
Organization: Vancouver Native Health Clinic
Location(s): Vancouver
Deadline: Aug 30, 2019 by 11:55 PM
Job description

Accounts Payable Clerk
Organization: Prince George
Location(s): Carrier Sekani Family Services
Deadline: Sep 2, 2019 by 11:55 PM
Job description

Community Health Nurse
Organization: Xeni Gwet’in
Location(s): Xeni Gwet’in
Deadline: Sep 27, 2019 by 11:55 PM
Job description

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