News Updates from the VI Region
June 16, 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.
|
|
|---|
|
|
In today's edition you will find:
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
VI REGIONAL ENGAGEMENT CALENDAR
JUNE 2022
|
|
|---|
|
First Nations Health Council elects Wayne Christian (Wenecwtsin) as its new Deputy Chair |
|
|---|
|
At its most recent meeting on June 1, 2022, the First Nations Health Council (FNHC) elected Wayne Christian (Wenecwtsin) as its new Deputy Chair, replacing former Deputy Chair Les Doiron. Wayne Christian is the Secwepemc Nation representative and one of the three Interior Region representatives to the FNHC; his appointment as Deputy Chair is for a three-year term.
The FNHC also welcomes the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council’s (NTC) appointment of Mariah Charleson, NTC Vice President, as their new Health Council representative until further notice. Mariah is from the Hesquiaht First Nation and holds the health portfolio for the NTC.
The FNHC would like to acknowledge the work, dedication and support by former NTC representative and Deputy Chair Les Doiron. Les tirelessly advocated to improve the health and wellbeing for the Nuu-chah-Nulth family on Vancouver Island and provincially for First Nations peoples in British Columbia.
|
|
|---|
|
First Nations Health Authority
|
|
|---|
|
|
FIRST NATIONS HEALTH AUTHORITY CONTACTS
|
|
|
|---|
|
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 |
|
|
Vice President, Vancouver Island
Director, Regional Community Health and Wellness
(Interim) Director, Regional Engagement
(Interim) Manager, Community Engagement
Community Engagement Coordinators
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
Nursing Manager
Community Practice Consultants:
Nurse Navigators:
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
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)
|
|
|---|
|
Mental Health, Wellness & Traditional Wellness Support
|
|
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
Primary Care Project Manager
Traditional Wellnes Specialist
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
South Island Director, Indigenous Health
Central Island Director, Indigenous Health
Medical Director
Medical Health Officers
Aboriginal Health Managers
|
|
|---|
|
Coast Salish Territory – The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and the Health Standards Organization (HSO) have released the British Columbia (BC) Cultural Safety and Humility Standard, a tool that will enable organizations to address indigenous-specific racism and build a culturally safe health care environment.
The standard was developed by Indigenous thought leaders and health professionals with a focus on designing, implementing, and evaluating culturally safe systems and services at the organizational and institutional level.
|
|
|---|
|
On May 18th, 2022, members of the VI Regional team attended the health fair at Zeballos Elementary Secondary School on the traditional territory of the Ehattesaht First Nation.
Pictured here are: Darrell Thorne (Community Relations Representative), Alexis Stuart (Regional MHW Liaison), Ashley Simpson (Maternal, Child and Family Health Specialist), and Candy-Lea Chickite (Project Analyst).
|
|
|---|
|
This year, World No Tobacco Day is on May 31st, 2022 and the First Nations Health Authority, in partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society, is excited to announce the launch of a new Indigenous Smoking and Vaping Quitline.
The Talk Tobacco program became active in BC in April 2022 , just in time for WNTD, and offers culturally-appropriate support for quitting smoking, vaping and other commercial tobacco use to Indigenous people and communities. You can find more information and learn more about the service here: https://www.fnha.ca/about/news-and-events/news/fnha-talk-tobacco-launch-program-to-help-people-quit-commercial-tobacco
We would also like to share the Talk Tobacco social media toolkit, as well as the digital poster and postcard, to help promote this new resource to provide First Nations people and communities free, confidential, culturally-appropriate and accessible support to quit/reduce smoking, vaping and other commercial tobacco use.
For additional information and resources, visit FNHA.ca/RespectingTobacco. To contact the Respecting Tobacco team e-mail: respectingtobacco@fnha.ca
FNHA Contact: Larissa.Coser@fnha.ca
|
|
|---|
|
Alert system, along with prevention and risk mitigation strategies needed following deadly 2021 'heat dome' event
A BC Coroner's Service report released June 7 is calling on the province to implement changes to the way people are informed about extreme heat events while protecting our most vulnerable residents.
In a report entitled “Extreme Heat and Human Mortality: A Review of Heat-Related Deaths in BC in Summer 2021," the BC Coroner's Service made three recommendations to build resilience and prevent future loss of life.
For more information about the BC Heat Alert and Response System: bccdc.ca/extremeheat
|
|
|---|
|
This webinar will explore Indigenous Cultural Safety (ICS) through a trauma-informed lens. Harley will offer insights into:
- Foundational understandings of Indigenous Cultural Safety would include a description of a cultural safety learning journey.
- Foundational understanding of the colonial history of Canada from Indigenous perspectives.
- Foundational understandings of Systemic Racism and its connection to colonization.
- Understanding of and actions to address systemic racism at the personal, intra-personal, classroom, and institutional levels.
This webinar is influenced by several discussions between Harley and the School of Leadership Studies, as well as a recent training he conducted in the winter of 2021.
Date:Monday, June 20, 2022
Time:9:30 am - 11:00 am PDT
Can't make it? No problem. Register to receive a copy of the webinar recording.
FNHA Contact: Alexis.Stuart@fnha.ca
|
|
|---|
|
In First Nations communities, the birth of a baby is a sacred event to be joyously celebrated but for new parents, life with an infant can be full of highs and lows. To help ease the transition to parenthood, the SmartParent program has been launched as Canada's first parenting support program that uses text messages to help guide new parents through each week of their baby's first year of life.
SmartParent was conceptualized as a follow-up to the SmartMom program, which provides prenatal education through text messaging. The overall goal of SmartParent is to support new parents in their transition to parenthood, decrease isolation and improve parent and infant health.
|
|
|---|
|
Our goal is to share knowledge on current models, initiatives, barriers and legislation related to safe supply. We hope to identify priorities and actions for supporting and increasing safe supply in Vancouver.
Our goal is to share knowledge on current models, initiatives, barriers and legislation related to safe supply. We hope to identify priorities and actions for supporting and increasing safe supply in Vancouver.
We hope that you can make it, and we look forward to seeing you all there!
FNHA Contact: Alexis.Stuart@fnha.ca
|
|
|---|
|
Our Elders hold the wisdom of past generations. Our Youth are the key to the future. Both groups are essential to strong, healthy Nations. Each year, NRT supports initiatives for both youth and Elders.
The NRT BC First Nation Elders Grant Initiative provides support for groups, communities and organizations representing First Nation Elders in British Columbia to develop and deliver community programs that benefit and build capacity for Elders.
Types of projects include storytelling, culture camps and participation in events and gatherings. Register here.
The NRT BC First Nation Youth Grant Initiative provides incentives for groups representing First Nation youth in British Columbia to develop and deliver projects that strengthen youth leadership skills, build capacity and/or provide mentorship opportunities.
Types of projects include language archiving and participation in traditional cultural activities. Register here.
FNHA Contact: Janice.Johnson@fnha.ca
|
|
|---|
|
Each of the 6 Regions throughout the Province is currently seeking experienced and qualified volunteer soccer coaches and team managers to lead teams to the 2022 BC Indigenous Provincial Soccer Championships. The winning teams in the 15U and 18U divisions will earn the right to represent BC at the Halifax 2023 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG).
Interested candidates wishing to coach or manage a Regional Soccer team are invited to complete this application. The individual Regional Committees will select their Regional team volunteers and oversee the regional team selection process. For more information about regional teams, please contact your Regional Coordinator for information (visit www.isparc.ca or email teambc@isparc.ca for the appropriate coordinator contact).
To apply to become a volunteer Coach or Manager, please complete the Application Form below.
Deadline extended to Friday, June 17, 2022 by 4:00pm.
FNHA Contact: Janice.Johnson@fnha.ca
|
|
|---|
|
Silent speakers are people who have a good understanding of their language but do not speak it. There are many kinds of silent speakers, including people who spoke their language before attending residential school or people who grew up hearing their language and understand it, but do not speak it.
The course runs 10 weeks for up to three hours each week. It uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and offers supports for silent speakers, including tools and coaching to help them move forward in a good way to reclaim their language.
Extended Deadline: June 30
Please see here for more information and application details.
FNHA Contact: Janice.Johnson@fnha.ca
|
|
|---|
|
The Canada Arts Training Fund (CATF) supports arts training in Canada. The CATF provides financial support for the ongoing operations of Canadian arts organizations that specialize in training artists for professional national or international artistic careers, at the highest levels.
Application deadline: June 30th, 2022
For application and eligibility details, please see here.
FNHA Contact: Janice.Johnson@fnha.ca
|
|
|---|
|
Are you a B.C. First Nations student age 18-30 who is interested in learning your language while working towards a rewarding career as a language immersion teacher or early childhood immersion educator? Start your application to FPCC’s Youth Empowered Speakers (YES) program today!
The YES program provides training, paid work internships and funding to pursue your education. It also includes a living allowance in addition to mentor-apprentice language learning. The goal of program is for youth to learn their language while preparing for a career in language revitalization in one of two streams:
- Early Childhood Immersion Educator Stream for ECE students alongside their education.
- Language Immersion Teacher Stream for BEd. students alongside their education.
For more application details, please see here.
FNHA Contact: Janice.Johnson@fnha.ca
|
|
|---|
|
June is National Indigenous Month in Canada, and with the recent discoveries at former residential schools across Canada, it has been a challenging time of reflection on the parts of First Nations history from which we are still healing. It is important to recognize and honour the cultural resilience and strength that continues to exist within our BC First Nations individuals, families and communities.
While NIPD is intended to provide an opportunity to rejuvenate and celebrate our diverse cultures, please keep the Indian Residential School Survivors, their families and communities in your minds and hearts as we take part in celebrations.
|
|
|---|
|
|
|  |
|
|
|
|
