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The First Nations Health Authority 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.
Funding Opportunity: Environmental Contaminants Program
The First Nations Health Authority's Environmental Contaminants Program is still accepting project proposals from First Nations communities or First Nations organizations in BC that explore the link between human health and environmental contaminants. To explore potential environmental contaminants project ideas or concerns at the community level, please refer to these guidelines (PDF).
Developing Emergency Response Teams for Critical Water and Wastewater Infrastructure
When it comes to emergency response and critical water and wastewater infrastructure, we can be reactive or we can be proactive. This video shows a glimpse into how the city of Merritt's water distribution system and wastewater treatment plant were affected by the November 2021 triple atmospheric river event.
Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions Climate Action Events Program
The Climate Action Events program supports events that share knowledge and ways of knowing, build skills and foster meaningful conversation to advance climate action within BC. The program offers $2,000 to $5,000 for eligible events. The next intake is closing December 4, 2023 at 4:30 pm for events happening after Jan. 1, 2024. You can expect to hear from PICS by December 29, 2023.
Indigenous Food Sovereignty is Key to Resilient Farms, Gardens and Communities
When Jacob Beaton bought a small farm in 2018 in Kitwanga, B.C., First Nations guests began pouring in. Beaton, who is from Gitxaała Nation and farms on Gitxsan territory, says locals told him that 60 or 70 years ago, there were hundreds of acres of Gitxsan farms and ranches around where his farm stands today. But government policies targeted Indigenous foods.
First Nations Forest Carbon Toolkit Launch
Curious about forest carbon offset development in British Columbia? Is your community interested in exploring forest carbon finance for community land management and sustainable revenue generation? Join the BC Assembly of First Nations and Ecotrust Canada on Friday, November 24, from 10 – 11:30 a.m. for the launch of the First Nations Forest Carbon Toolkit – an innovative digital resource designed to empower First Nations communities in BC in their pursuit of forest carbon offset investments and development.
FireSmart Community Funding and Supports
The FireSmart Community Funding and Supports program provides funding to local governments and First Nations in BC to increase community resiliency by undertaking community-based FireSmart planning and activities that reduce the community’s risk from wildfire. Applications for the 2024 intake will be accepted until December 31, 2024.
Salmon SWAT Teams Deployed in B.C to Help Fish During Drought
A provincewide drought this summer dried up B.C. rivers and jeopardized the survival of already stressed salmon stocks. Localized salmon SWAT teams mobilized quickly to tackle hot spots of concern on rivers across B.C. as part of a new pilot project. Various First Nations and local conservation groups scrambled to help salmon surmount drought conditions.
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.
