A Message from the Chief Executive Officer, 

On behalf of the First Nations Health Authority family, I want to wish you and your family health and wellness for the holiday season and throughout the New Year. 

I look forward to our future collective efforts to advance the work to improve the health and wellbeing of First Nations people in the year ahead. 

Respectfully, 

Joe Gallagher
Chief Executive Officer
First Nations Health Authority 

For Immediate Release                                December 18, 2015

Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and Mission residents, members of Fraser East First Nations communities and other residents of Fraser East who need support in withdrawing from substances can now access two new home/mobile detox teams serving these communities.

Building on the success of the Riverstone Home/Mobile Detox Program implemented in 2010, the second team launched last spring to augment services provided by the original teams, expanding services to include Mission to Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows. In addition, a third team fully funded by the First Nations Health Authority is now operating in First Nations communities throughout Fraser East and also includes the Mission to Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows corridor.

Read this news release in full here.

After a number of additional reports of fentanyl overdoses in BC, the FNHA would like to extend a reminder to communities heading into the holiday season to know the facts on fentanyl and how to reduce the risk of overdose.

*Please post immediately and remove this alert on January 4, 2016*

Read our Fentanyl in First Nations Communities: Know How to Reduce the Risk of Overdose communique here. 

Learn more about substance use prevention and treatment including harm reduction here. 

FNHA's Director of Mental Health Patricia Vickers PhD, above with her daughter Rebekah.

This is the holiday Season. A time when families gather together to give and receive gifts, share meals and perhaps speak of the past.  Wherever you are on your healing journey, may this holiday season be a time of creating space for yourself, creating space for the willingness to understand yourself and have compassion for yourself. May this be a time where you know the most important place to feel and be at home is in your own body and soul. And may your space be surrounded with the lights of the holidays.

Read more here. 

First Nations Health Authority Statement on Truth and Reconciliation Commission Final Report

Coast Salish Territory - As the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) presented its final report yesterday, the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) acknowledges the strength and resilience of residential school survivors. It has been made clear by this historic report that the legacy of the residential school era and the intergenerational effects of these schools continue to affect the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health of First Nations and Aboriginal people.

We applaud the TRC and the commissioners for undertaking this important work for residential school survivors, their children families and communities. The FNHA looks forward to playing a role in the reconciliation effort to support greater control and decision-making in the area of health by First Nations, for First Nations and with First Nations in British Columbia.

Read the full communique here.

Dr. Shannon McDonald, Senior Medical Officer – Vancouver Island, Office of the FNHA Chief Medical Officer.

Christmas is all around us these days – the bright lights, charming decorations, jovial music, delicious food, and of course, the good cheer. For some of us, however, the “cheer” part does not come so easily. I know I find it hard to get “into the spirit” at this time of the year, and you may feel the same way. There are lots of reasons for sad feelings. Your reasons may not be the same as mine, but many of us are struggling with loss at this time of the year.

Read the full post here.

Respected Elder Virginia Peters from Sts'ailes shares a song to open the FNHDA Head to Heart campaign video. 

Stress and burnout have been identified as two significant challenges for Health Directors working in First Nations health in BC. Last year, in response to this direction, the FNHDA launched a mental wellness campaign for association members. Over the past year the FNHDA has worked to create a theme to shape the campaign. 

Watch the FNHDA Head to Heart video here! 

Top L to R:  Verne Tom, Bev Lambert, Charles Morven, Kelly Gunn, Cathy Ulrich, Julie Morrison, Michael MacMillan. Bottom L to R:  Sandra Allison, Margo Greenwood, Nicole Cross, Patricia Hoard.

“Umtxwhl Goodi’y Dim am Dim Wilsi’m” – “I wish you all the best” in Gitxsan.

On November 23, 2015, the Northern First Nations Health Partnership Committee (NFNHPC) held its most recent meeting. The NFNHPC continues to embrace and uphold the need to invest in improved health services and community-based health training to support children, families, and communities. The NFNHPC has made significant progress in implementing joint initiatives and efforts that will support sensitive and culturally safe practices in Northern Health care.

Read the full communique here! 

First Nations Health Benefits Mileage Rate Update.

The FNHA is collaborating with the Rural Health Services Research Network of BC, Interior Health and Thompson Rivers University to host the 2016 Rural Health Services Research Conference. We invite you to submit your presentation ideas on this year's theme: developing intercultural connections and partnering in practical solutions for improving health.

The conference will take place on April 25 and 26, 2016 on Tk'emlúps te Secwe̓pemc territory in Kamloops. Please submit your abstracts by the January 15, 2016 deadline.

See the Call for Abstracts here.

January 27, 2016
10:00-11:00 am

The FNHA invites Health Directors, community health leads and community leadership in BC First Nations communities to a UBC Learning Circle session to build dialogue on First Nations Data Governance.

In spring of 2016, the FNHA will be supporting data governance conversations to recieve direction on the concepts of First Nations Wellness Indicators, Identity Management, and Research Ethics. 

Data Governance binds all these concepts, which will enable better planning, policy development and, in the long term, more appropriate programs and service for First Nations communities in BC. 

For more information in advance of the session, read a “First Nations Data Governance Discussion Sheet” on our website here. 

Stay tuned for all the details including registration in the new year! 

Families of murdered and missing Aboriginal women in BC are invited to a 2016 Provincial Family Gathering to be held in the territory of the Lheidli T’enneh Nation, Prince George BC from January 31, 2016 to February 2, 2016.

A number of partner organizations are jointly planning and hosting this Provincial Family Gathering to provide a safe and supportive place for families of missing and murdered Aboriginal women to gather, and heal together by sharing your stories and strength. The Provincial Family Gathering will allow family members to discuss and identify a path forward to end violence against Aboriginal women and girls.

Travel, meals and accommodation are provided for up to 4 family members per loved one.

DEADLINE TO RSVP is January 8, 2016

For more information please phone 250.590.9190 or email marciadawson@shaw.ca.

​​Request for Proposals: Group Benefits Program of First Nations Health Authority

Closing Date/Time:​
Submissions must be received before 16:00 hours (4:00 pm) Pacific Time on: January 08, 2016

Refer to the document for a full list of key dates

​Request for Proposals: Project Lead - Health Benefits

Closing Date/Time:​
Submissions must be received before 16:00 hours (4:00 pm) Pacific Time on: December 30, 2015

Refer to the document for a full list of key dates

Request for Qualifications: Supply of IT Hardware and Related Services

Closing Date/Time:​
Submissions must be received before 16:00 hours (4:00 pm) Pacific Time on: January 8​ , 2015​
​
Refer to the document for a full list of key dates

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

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

Manager, HR Consulting Services
Location(s): West Vancouver BC
Deadline: Jan 4, 2016 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Senior Network Administrator
Location(s): Vancouver BC
Deadline: Jan 4, 2016 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Administrative Assistant - Development Pool
Location(s): Vancouver BC
Deadline: Jan 3, 2016 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Child and Youth Mental Wellness Counsellor
Location(s): Ulkatcho BC
Deadline: Jan 1, 2016 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Community Engagement Coordinator - Nlaka'pamux Nation
Location(s): Interior Region
Deadline: Jan 1, 2016 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Director, Data Analytics and Reporting
Location(s): Vancouver BC
Deadline: Dec 31, 2015 by 4:00 PM
Job description

CDC Nurse Coordinator - HIV/AIDS/HCV
Location(s): Vancouver BC
Deadline: Dec 29, 2015 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Administrative Assistant - Board Secretariat
Location(s): Vancouver BC
Deadline: Dec 22, 2015 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Network Analyst
Location(s): 1 in Vancouver, 1 in Duncan
Deadline: Dec 22, 2015 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Board of Director Interior Representative
Location(s): Interior Region
Deadline: Dec 18, 2015 by 4:30 PM
Job description

Accounting and Payroll Clerk
Location(s): West Vancouver BC
Deadline: Dec 18, 2015 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Data Collector 
Location(s): All Regions
Deadline: Dec 18, 2015 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Regional Planner - Northern Region
Location(s): Prince George
Deadline: Dec 18, 2015 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

Mental Health and Addictions Clinician
Organization: Northern Health
Location(s): Dease Lake BC
Deadline: Jan 4, 2016 by 12:00 AM
Job description

Children and Youth Mental Health Support Worker
Organization: Splatsin Health Services
Location(s): Secwepemc Lakes - Neskonlith, Adams Lake, Little Shuswap, Chase
Deadline: Dec 23, 2015 by 4:00 PM
Job description

Clinical Counsellor, Riverstone Home & Mobile Detox
Organization: Fraser Health
Location(s): Agassiz, Chilliwack and Hope
Job description

Nurse Practitioner
Organization: Island Health
Location(s): Port Hardy
Job description

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