Above: Partners at a tour of the Coast Salish Primary Care Teamlet at Cowichan's Ts'ewulhtun Health Centre.

Holistic Approach Supports Patient Physical, Mental, Spiritual and Emotional Wellness

(Cowichan Territory - Duncan, BC) - A new community-based primary care teamlet is now seeing patie​nts at Cowichan's Ts'ewulhtun Health Centre. The teamlet model allows community members to access most medical services in one location, avoiding lengthy referrals, and with health care professionals they know and trust. This unique program was designed in partnership by Cowichan Tribes, Island Health and First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), and funded through the Province and FNHA Joint Project Board.

Read the full release here! 

"The crock pot meals workshop was awesome. We got to bring home some healthy meals, it inspired me to do more crock pot cooking, and is awesome to do during busy days."

After the Christmas break, Little Shuswap Lake Indian Band held Winter Fest. This was an opportunity to gather community members, friends and family for an afternoon of fun and activities.  This was a great opportunity to gather after the Christmas season. Events at Winter Fest included family-friendly games such as tag, relay races and tobogganing. It was an opportunity for youth to play together and adults to socialize and network. So much interest in this was created that parents and children plan on making monthly play dates.

Read the full scoop here! 

Chair will lead research and education to develop a health program tailored to the needs of First Nations people

Coast Salish Territory - Vancouver, BC – First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), Simon Fraser University (SFU) and the St. Paul's Foundation have introduced Dr. Jeff Reading, a leading national and international expert in Indigenous health, as the inaugural First Nations Health Authority Chair in Heart Health and Wellness at St. Paul's Hospital.

Read this media release in full here! 

Strong partnerships between Northern Health, Ministry of Health, First Nations Health Authority, municipal governments and communities across northern BC have led to the recruitment of seven new nurse practitioners to the Northern Health region, increasing access to primary care for residents.

Nurse practitioners can serve as a primary health care provider and refer patients to physicians and specialists when appropriate. They are qualified to see patients for acute issues like a cold or injury, follow patients with chronic health issues like diabetes or high blood pressure, provide prenatal care, do check-ups and physical exams, and prescribe medications.

Read the full release here! 

We're putting the final touches on the next issue of Spirit Magazine - The Womens Issue. But before we do we want to hear from First Nations in BC!

This issue's "Have Your Say” we are asking: Name a Female Role Model in Your Life and Tell Us Why She is Your Health Hero?

We also want to hear Elders' Wisdom from cherished Elders in your commnunity! 

Send us your 100 words of Elders' Wisdom and a high resolution image, and/or a 75-100 word "Have Your Say” and an image to: Spirit.Magazine@fnha.ca

View past issues of Spirit here! 

With the guidance of the Northern Regional Table, the FNHA Northern Region would like to recognize First Nations Elders and Youth who have made achievements and commitments to a health​y and positive lifestyle and/or have made a significant contribution to achieving Healthy, Self-Determining and Vibrant BC First Nation Children, Families and Communities.

FNHA Northern Region is seeking nominations for Spirit of Wellness Champions. A total of six Wellness Champions will be selected, one Elder and one Youth selected from each sub-region. 

Read more here! 

Please join Gwen Phillips (Director, Governance Transition, Ktunaxa Nation), Dr. Christopher Horsethief (Consultant, Ktunaxa Nation Council), and Joseph Mendez (Chief Information Officer, FNHA) for a discussion on First Nations Data Governance.

Health Directors, community health leads and community leadership in BC First Nations communities are invited to a webinar to introduce the upcoming 

For more information read a “First Nations Data Governance Discussion Sheet” here.

Date: February 3, 2016         
Time: 10:00-11:00am            
Where: By computer
Registration: Please click here and enter this password to register.
Password: fnha

The purpose of this training opportunity is to build the capacity of front-line care providers to better assist others to quit smoking or chewing tobacco.The one-day training session is free. QuitNow will cover the training costs, and the FNHA will pay for accommodations and travel. Coffee, a light snack, and lunch will be provided on the day of training.

Dates and Details:

North: F​ebruary 2
Interior: February 4​
Vancouver Coastal: February 17
Fraser Salish: February 23
Vancouver Island: March 31

Find out more info here.

The FNHA has committed to supporting First Nations decision-making and control over First Nations health information. The FNHA is seeking guidance on how to provide provincial-level support in measuring wellbeing in relation to programs, services, and investments.

FNHA is holding engagement sessions in each of the five regions with a focus on: Identity Management; Community-based Wellness Indicators and Provincial-level Wellness Outcome measures; and First Nations Decision-Making and Research Ethics.

Who should attend: We invite individuals who represent community or Nation interests in data governance to attend these sessions, including multiple roles or titles including: Band Managers, Band Administrators, Health Directors, community health leads, community leadership, or leaders from other sectors (e.g. health and social).

Register by clicking on your region below!

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

FNHA will provide travel and accommodation for individuals representing their communities pending approval during the registration process.

Who is this Training For?
Frontline providers who work primarily at home (on-reserve) to support the health and development of First Nations children, youth and families. Frontline providers who are not oral health or healthy eating experts, but who would like to learn more to better support families with their goal setting and wellness.

When and Where is the Training?
February 23 & 24, 2016 Terrace
March 1 & 2, 2016 Williams Lake
March 8 & 9, 2016 Campbell River

Registration info to come. Stay tuned to the FNHA website and social media pages! 

The FNREEES (First Nations Regional Early Childhood, Education and Employment Survey) is a national survey from the First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC), and is developed by First Nations, for First Nations.

The FNHA has received the final BC dataset from the FNIGC and has established two Advisory Committees that will oversee the analysis and reporting of the FNREEES data. Advisory Committee membership includes the First Nations Health Directors Association planning and reporting committee, as well as an external committee of subject-matter experts from a variety of First Nations organizations, academic institutions and First Nations communities.

Read the full scoop here!

Transforming Conflict - Compassionate Assertiveness
Date: February 2, 2015
Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 noon (PST)
Place: Participate live via videoconference OR computer webinar.
Registration: is required to participate

Transforming Conflict - Lateral Kindess
Date: Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 noon (PST)
Place: Participate live via video conference OR computer webinar.
Registration: is required to participate

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

Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) BC Region is launching its 2016-17 call for Emergency Management (EM) Preparedness Funding Proposals process.

This process is intended for First Nation communities seeking funding to:

• Develop or update their emergency preparedness plans;
• Undertake a non-structural mitigation emergency preparedness project (i.e. flood protection studies, flood mapping, place of refuge feasibility studies, seismic/tsunami mapping and risk assessments);
• Purchase and install tsunami preparedness equipment; and
• Participate in associated training

Application deadline: February 19, 2016

For more information please contact BCEMU@aandc-aadnc.gc.ca

Request for Proposals: Curriculum Writer

Closing Date/Time:​ Submissions must be received before 16:00 hours (4:00 pm) Pacific Time on: January 29, 2016​
​
Refer to the document for a full list of key dates

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

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

CDC Nurse Coordinator, Immunizations
Location(s): Vancouver BC
Deadline: Feb 8, 2016 by 4:00 PM
Job description

District Manager, Environmental Health Services
Location(s): Chilliwack BC
Deadline: Feb 8, 2016 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Senior Specialist, Healthy Children and Youth
Location(s): Vancouver
Deadline: Feb 8, 2016 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Data Collector 
Location(s): Multiple
Deadline: Feb 5, 2016 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Planner
Location(s): West Vancouver BC
Deadline: Feb 5, 2016 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Senior Coordinator, Research
Location(s): West Vancouver BC
Deadline: Feb 5, 2016 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Administrative Assistant - Receptionist
Location(s): West Vancouver BCC
Deadline: Feb 2, 2016 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Reporting Analyst
Location(s): Vancouver BC
Deadline: Feb 1, 2016 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Business Analyst
Location(s): Vancouver
Deadline: Jan 29, 2016 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Clinical Nurse Specialist, Public Health
Location(s): Vancouver
Deadline: Jan 29, 2016 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Data Analyst
Location(s): West Vancouver BC
Deadline: Jan 29, 2016 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Nursing Practice Consultant
Location(s): Vancouver BC
Deadline: Jan 29, 2016 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Wellness System Navigator
Location(s): Fraser Region
Deadline: Jan 29, 2016 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Community Health Nurse - Health Centre
Location(s): Lytton & Fort St. John
Job description

Community Health Nurse – Nursing Stations
Location(s): Various
Job description

Dental Therapist
Location(s): Various
Job description

Nurse in Charge-Nursing Station
Location(s): Various
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

Health Officer
Organization: Kanaka Bar
Location(s): Kanaka Bar BC
Job description

Physician
Organization: Lu'Ma Native Housing Society
Location(s): Vancouver BC
Job description

Preschool ECE / Headstart Coordinator
Organization: Katzie First Nation Health Services
Location(s): Katzie First Nation
Job description

Medical Office Assistant
Organization: Ts'ewulhtun Health Centre
Location(s): Duncan BC
Deadline: Feb 4, 2016 by 4:00 PM
Job description