News Updates from the VI Region
April 20, 2022
Greetings respected Vancouver Island First Nations Leadership;
Welcome to our VI Regional e-newsletter. This newsletter will highlight updates for the Vancouver Island region from the FNHA, Island Health, Government of BC, Government of Canada, alongside many other partners.
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In today's edition you will find:
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VI REGIONAL ENGAGEMENT CALENDAR - APRIL 2022
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Vancouver Island Regional Spring Caucus 2022 - Registration link is live! |
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The Vancouver Island Regional Governance Caucus is scheduled for April 27, 28, 29, 2022, at the Vancouver Island Convention Centre, 101 Gordon Street, Nanaimo, BC.
The Vancouver Island Regional Caucus will focus on Emergency Management, Regionalization and Health Legislation. The approach for caucus will include a series of panels, including brief presentations and comments from members of the FNHC, FNHA central, regional team and the FNHDA.
To register for the VI Regional Spring Caucus 2022, please email Janice Johnson, Community Engagement Manager, at Janice.Johnson@fnha.ca |
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First Nations Health Authority
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FIRST NATIONS HEALTH AUTHORITY CONTACTS
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FNHA COVID-19 Inquiries
If you have general FNHA COVID-19 questions, please email COVID19@fnha.ca
For any requests relating to COVID-19 please email: COVID19needs@fnha.ca |
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Vice President, Vancouver Island
(Interim) Director, Regional Engagement
(Interim) Manager, Community Engagement
Community Engagement Coordinators
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Nursing Manager
Community Practice Consultants:
Nurse Navigators:
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Community Relations Representative, Health Benefits
Registered Dental Therapists
- Kim Trottier (Communities: Stz’uminus, Penelakut, Dzawada’enuxw)
- Janeen Campbell (Communities: Cowichan Tribes)
- Melanie Braker (Communities: Ka;’yu:’k’t’h’/Che;k’tles7et’h’, Mowachaht/Muchalaht, Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ, Ahousaht, Ditidaht, Huu-ay-aht, Hupacasath)
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Mental Health, Wellness & Traditional Wellness Support
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Primary Care Project Manager
Traditional Wellnes Specialist
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ISLAND HEALTH AUTHORITY CONTACTS |
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South Island Director, Indigenous Health
Central Island Director, Indigenous Health
Medical Director
Medical Health Officers
Aboriginal Health Managers
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My name is Marilyn Morash. I am from the Quatsino First Nation and have been hired to fill the North Island Administrative Assistant Medical office role. I have over eight years of experience in administrative assistant positions and look forward to the Medical office perspective. I am honored to be a part of the FNHA family, and I know I will thrive in this welcoming environment.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my two amazing children, and we often spend our time hiking or by the ocean.
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The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), in partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society and Ontario Health's Indigenous Cancer Care Unit, is launching the Talk Tobacco program. The program offers culturally-appropriate support for quitting smoking, vaping and commercial tobacco use to Indigenous people and communities in British Columbia (BC).
Support is available by telephone, text message and live chat. The service is free and confidential, open seven days a week and offers interpretation in many Indigenous languages.
Full-article on our website here.
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The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) has developed a guidebook entitled Navigating Non-Medical Cannabis in BC – A First Nations Community Guidebook to Cannabis Legalization. The goal of the guidebook is to support community decision-making about cannabis by providing information using a health and wellness perspective and an Indigenous lens.
“This guide supports Chiefs and community leaders in navigating the complexities of cannabis legalization and determining what is appropriate and beneficial for their First Nations communities," says Dr. Nel Wieman, FNHA's Deputy Chief Medical Officer. “Indigenous leaders will find this guidebook very useful."
Full-article on our website here.
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Birthing through transformation: A collective vision of growth, connection and inclusion with Kilila Birth Collective Birthing
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At Kilila Birth Keeper Collective we are a group of women and mothers from diverse backgrounds who have combined our knowledge and experiences to shape the heart of our work and our initiative. Which is, to provide compassionate and culturally safe support to the families we walk alongside.
Working within a collective of women from diverse backgrounds we have collaborated our knowledge and experiences which have helped shape the heart of our work and our initiative. Which is, to provide compassionate care and through the western terminology “culturally safe support” to the families we walk along side of.
We would like to reiterate that everyone is welcome to our UBCLC sessions.
Our events aim to embody a safe space for everyone of all different backgrounds to have their opinions and voices equally heard.
Date: Friday, April 22nd, 2022 (PST)
Time: 10 a.m. to 11:30 am
Where: Internet webinar via Zoom
Full article and registration found here.
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The Shellfish Harvesting Status Map will allow you to identify BC shellfish harvesting closures in your area |
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This map was originally designed to help users determine if a location is open or closed to shellfish harvesting due to biotoxin, sanitary, or chemical contamination or restricted for other reasons.
New features have been added for recreational users and commercial harvesters, including: open areas by shellfish species, where to find a pump-out station for your boat, recent sea surface temperatures (SSTs), where outfalls are located, and recent water quality data.
Over 278 cases of Norovirus associated with raw oysters. Please make sure you check out shellfish closures in your area.
View BCCDC Shellfish Harvest Closure Map here.
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2022-2023 Community Investment Grants |
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This year, United Way British Columbia Community Investment grants will focus on programs and projects that have a positive impact on child and youth mental health in our local Central and Northern Vancouver Island communities.
Local Indigenous organizations, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit, and registered charities operating eligible programs are encouraged to apply for funding by May 09, 2022.
For more information and application details, see here.
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On April 5th, 2022, the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) hosted a Community-based Water Monitor Training at the Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort in Parksville, BC. Community representatives from the Vancouver Island region were invited to attend a 2-day training to learn how water monitors can support local capacity to monitor water quality and increase awareness and ownership of water systems.
Water monitors play a crucial role as those responsible for sampling, testing, recording and communicating the microbiological quality of treated water in communities. They are also responsible for developing and implementing a Drinking Water Quality Awareness Program and play a crucial role in safe drinking water for the community. They contribute to promoting health, preventing disease, prolonging life and improving the quality of life for BC First Nations, children, families and Communities.
If a community doesn't have a water monitor, their work may be done by an Environmental Health Officer or an FNHA Environmental Health Technician.
Environmental Health Officers train water monitor representatives to sample and test the drinking water for potential bacteriological contamination using community lab equipment (Colilert). Compliance 365, a new internet-based data management system, manages all drinking water quality data to which the water monitors, band administration and the Drinking Water Safety Program team have access. Community-based drinking water programs have been established for all interested communities.
Water is an integral part of life, community and well-being.
Quotes from Community:
"Staff very friendly and patient while answering questions and 'checking in' with us individually to make sure we understood and got the information on training."
"I went in not knowing very much and came out with a pretty good understanding."
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April is Oral Health Awareness Month - In recognition of Oral Health Month, we are honoured to re-share the video, "My dad's unbelievable story, untold by him," featuring Connie Paul, Teltitelwet/Yetta, a Registered Nurse and Home Care Coordinator from Tsartlip First Nation.
In the video, Connie reflects on her father, Benny Paul's, dental experience during his time at Kuper Island residential school. "This story belongs to my dad," begins Connie Paul, before telling of her father's incredible strength and resilience in the face of great pain during his childhood. Full story here on our website. |
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