The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) Environmental Public Health Services
e-newsletter is a quarterly compilation of important resources, news items and opportunities related to environmental health for First Nations individuals and communities in British Columbia. If you have been added to this list in error you may unsubscribe at the bottom of this email.

A Coastal Revolution in Hospital Food

From Anchorage to Haida Gwaii to Vancouver and beyond, hospitals are reimagining their menus. Some seek to return Indigenous foodways to the healing process, while others aim to slash the big climate impacts of institutional food services. In both cases, chefs and medical staff are turning to more local and sustainable foods and attempting to tackle the difficult problem of food waste. It’s not easy, but people are learning what works.

Sharing Out the Common Language Project: Report and Toolkit

The FNHA Common Language Project Report 2023 explores how community members view key terms such as traditional foods, medicines, nutrition and food security. Its companion document, Understanding Common Language uses infographics depicting icebergs that show how words can have deeper meanings than their colonially defined terms. The iceberg toolkit also includes reflective questions to help us explore our relationships with, and our understanding of, these words. This previously recorded webinar led by the Common Language Project team explores the concepts more in depth.

We Walk Together: Exploring Connection to Land, Water and Territory

One foundational aspect of understanding First Nations health and wellness – connection to land, water and territory – was missing in existing health data in BC. The We Walk Together project aims to inform the development of a new indicator to measure and monitor this missing connection. The results from the We Walk Together report will be used to form a foundation for further dialogue and research on Nation-based, regional and provincial-level wellness indicators to measure, track and uphold connection to land, water and territory.

Funding Opportunity: Environmental Contaminants Program

The FNHA’s Environmental Public Health Services (EPHS) is funding BC First Nation community-based research projects that explore the link between human health and environmental contaminants. To learn more about the EPHS Environmental Contaminants Program, including how to apply for a funded project, visit the link.

Center for Indigenous Environmental Resources

The Center for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER) works with Indigenous communities to build environmental capacity. Through education, research, and skill building they assist Indigenous communities in taking action to solve the environmental problems affecting lands and waters. 

Learn About Climate Change and What You Can Do About It

The Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions has launched a Climate Insights Course, a publicly available and free educational resource designed to boost climate knowledge and help working professionals contribute effectively to climate action. The course is designed to equip working professionals and others with the knowledge to make informed decisions, create sustainable policies, and convert climate knowledge to climate action.

Youth Leaders Revive Indigenous Seafood Harvesting Heritage

The Nuu-chah-nulth Youth Warrior Family fosters leadership skills in boys and young men across several Indigenous Nuu-chah-nulth nations on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Building, restoring and monitoring clam gardens is just one of the program’s many initiatives to foster leadership skills in youth across several Nuu-chah-nulth communities. Guided by mentors and Elders, this youth-led program involves taking younger community members into ancestral lands for hunting, spearfishing, seafood harvesting, trail building and medicinal plant foraging, even in pouring rain. 

Indigenous Communities Adapt: Preparing for Climate Impacts

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, in collaboration with the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC), has developed materials to promote wildfire smoke preparedness and safety. These educational materials include an information sheet, poster, and colouring sheet. The materials were developed with Indigenous communities in mind, and feature art from Indigenous artist, Moe Butterfly. 

Assembly of First (AFN) Nations National Climate Gathering

The Assembly of First Nations will host its 3^rd National Climate Gathering themed “Catalyzing First Nations Climate and Conservation Leadership for Transformative Change,” on October 7-10, 2024, in Calgary, Alberta. With a focus on the AFN National Climate Strategy and Climate Lens, the Gathering will feature a range of activities, including diverse panel presentations, workshops, and video screenings, to demonstrate the First Nations’ stewardship approach to climate action and conservation. First Nations leaders and citizens, First Nations environmental specialists, dedicated academics, Environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) and government officials are encouraged to attend.

Funding Opportunity: Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) Fish & Wildlife Grants

HCTF Fish & Wildlife Grants are available to anyone (provincial or municipal governments, First Nations, academic institutions, non-government organizations, industry) for projects that:

• Focus on native freshwater fish, wildlife, and their habitats;
• Have the potential to achieve a significant conservation outcome;
• Align with our purposes as laid out in the Wildlife Act.

One of HCTF’s priorities is to support habitat enhancement and restoration, therefore projects that involve on-the-ground habitat enhancement and/or restoration activities are strongly encouraged. Intake for Fish & Wildlife 2025-26 grant applications will open mid-September.

Seaspan Brings Marine Training Program to Indigenous Youth

Local Indigenous youth are facing new, exciting horizons in the marine industry, as Seaspan announces a new education program for Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) and Musqueam students. The three-year program includes trades apprentice and shipbuilding courses, career path mapping programs, and essential skills and health and safety certificate programs. 

For after-hours emergencies, please leave a message for the Environmental Health Officer On-Call at 1-844-666-0711 and/or e-mail ephs.afterhours@fnha.ca. This phone/email is being monitored between 6 am to 10 pm. Calls/emails sent after 10 pm will be responded to the following day.