News Updates from the VI Region
May 18, 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
MAY 2022
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FNHA and Douglas College Offer Indigenous
End-of-Life Course |
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An Indigenous End-of-Life Guide course is now offered by Douglas College and the FNHA
For some First Nations and Indigenous people, wanting to remain in or return to their community to die is very important. It can be an integral part of their plan for their final journey to the Spirit World. To make this possible, support and care are needed.
This program is ideal for First Nations and Indigenous people wanting to deepen their understanding of how to assist people who are facing their end of life journey. The four day online course is for First Nations and Indigenous individuals who have been or will be called upon to voluntarily provide care, support and advocacy for someone who is facing the end of their life.
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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
Director, Regional Community Health and Wellness
(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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South Island Director, Indigenous Health
Central Island Director, Indigenous Health
Medical Director
Medical Health Officers
Aboriginal Health Managers
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COAST SALISH TERRITORY (Nanaimo) - A renewed commitment to improve the health and wellness outcomes of all First Nations people living in the Island Health region was made between the First Nations Health Authority, Island Health and the Vancouver Island Regional Caucus representing the 50 Nations on Vancouver Island through the signing of the renewed Vancouver Island Partnership Accord.
A signing ceremony was held in Nanaimo on April 28 and was witnessed by Chiefs, Elders and community members from Nations across the Island.
“The partnerships between FNHA and our regional health authorities are crucial to ensuring key decision-makers in each organization are able to meet and make the timely, important decisions related to improving First Nation's peoples' health", said Richard Jock, CEO of FNHA. “The Partnership Accord is a foundational piece that leaders in FNHA and Island Health can use to build stronger relationships between their operational teams, and more efficiently implement priorities set out by the Regional Caucus. A strong partnership with our regional health authority enables us to tackle these issues together in true reconciliation."
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Uy Skweyl ‘een thu Shanulwut. Tuni’tsun ‘uh’ Quamichan. Nilh stun Shhwuwwey Lydia Hwitsum y George Williams. Nilh tuna suls’lulh Amelia Bob, Jane (Wesley) Williams, Earl Williams.
My English name is Toni Williams I am from the Quw’utsun Nation (Cowichan Tribes), I am thankful to have had the opportunity to be raised in Community and continue to live in my home village with my husband and three daughters. Prior to joining the FNHA I worked with Cowichan Tribes in a variety of capacities that supported children, youth and their families.
In recent years I’ve had the gift of shifting my work to supporting those who are unhoused, vulnerable and in various stages of health and healing by doing outreach, harm reduction and managing the low-barrier extreme weather youth shelter in Cowichan. I am fiercely committed to supporting Nations in their health and wellness journeys, as I believe we are only borrowing the land from our children and we need to build the communities they deserve. Huy steep q’u Siem
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Gas prices across British Columbia continue to rise. These increases may impact some clients' abilities to access medically-necessary appointments when using their private vehicles.
First Nations Health Benefits (FNHB) is extending and increasing the temporary mileage reimbursement for the Medical Transportation (MT) benefit to support clients during these exceptional times.
On March 14, 2022, FNHA announced a $0.05/km increase to MT mileage reimbursement rates. Effective May 16, 2022, the MT mileage rate will increase by an additional $0.04/km to $0.32/km. This change will be in effect until August 31, 2022. The increase will also apply to the special mileage rate applicable to certain remote communities.
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OBC's Innovation New Program to Develop Canada's Next Generation of Outdoor Leaders
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Funded by the Government of Canada’s Sectoral Initiatives Program, the Outward Bound Canada Training Academy for Outdoor Professionals (the “Training Academy”) will recruit and train a new generation of outdoor leaders!
This $7.3 million grant will fund this unique program, which will recruit and train a new generation of outdoor leaders in Canada while also addressing the pandemic-related labour shortages that threaten the long-term viability of the sector.
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4 Seasons of Wellness Presents: Men's Retreat |
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Inviting men ages 18+ from our 9 Member Nations. Join us for a weekend of recharging, honouring your health, outdoor activities, reconnection, culture, fun and more!
Available to memberships from Halalt, Lyackson, Malahat, Penelakut, Qualicum, Snaw-Naw-As, Snuneymuxw, Stz’uminus and Ts’uu baa-asatx.
For more information or to register contact:
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4 Seasons of Wellness Presents: Woman's Retreat |
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Inviting women ages 18+ from our 9 Member Nations. Join us for a two night stay to get away and recharge! Weekend on the lake will be filled with workshop activities by Tammie Myles (Mother Earth Whispers)
Available to membership from Halalt, Lyackson, Malahat, Penelakut, Qualicum, Snaw-Naw-As, Snuneymuxw, Stz’uminus and Ts’uu baa-asatx.
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Kw’umut Lelum Presents: Wellbriety |
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The “Well” in Wellbriety is the inspiration to go beyond sobriety and recovery, committing to a life of wellness and healing everyday. This program utilizes local customs and traditions such as Elder’s teachings and cultural ceremonies.
Each session is facilitated by Stan Matthew and features local guest speakers.
Food and refreshments provided.
For more information and to register contact:
Stan Matthew | smatthew@kwumut.org | 250-591-0933
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Kw’umut Lelum Presents: Warrior's Night |
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Come join Kw'umut Lelum at the Coast Bastion hotel for an evening with great speakers and good medicine. Door prizes! An evening of good food, good company, and shared experience to celebrate and honour Indigenous men. Dinner included. Registration is free!
Register for the event here.
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BC Government: Reform Child & Family Service Legislation Engagement Sessions |
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The Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) are hosting a series of sessions to engage Indigenous people to inform changes to child and family service policy and legislation in order to better support the rights of Indigenous peoples, including Indigenous Governments.
The Ministry of Children and Family Development has also indicated that written submissions are accepted before Friday, June 24 2022 at 4:00 PM. Submissions may be publicly shared.
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Indigenous Harm Reduction Team |
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We first started doing these in 2019 but had to stop because of COVID. We now have our own space downtown that is big enough for physical distancing, and we have an industrial-strength HEPA filter going 24/7 to help reduce risks.
Just like before the Circles include Elders from Tsow-Tun Le Lum, smudge, traditional medicines that people can take away with them, food, and $10 honorarium + bus tickets. Attendance is limited to 10 participants per circle and we will be providing masks for people who are able to wear them, and we have hand sanitizer at the front door.
People do NOT need to be sober to attend.
Upcoming dates are: 3 PM, Sat May 28, and Weds June 8
at 1314 Douglas Street (between Circle K & Burger King)
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Indigenous Perspectives on Healing from PTSD
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Indigenous nations have a strong resource in ancestral law for providing perspective, understanding through teachings and a pathway for healing. The session will speak to a place where ancestral law and mental health hold great potential.
After attending this webinar, participants will be able to: gain an understanding of the layers of oppression for Indigenous peoples, articulate the value of ancestral law for all peoples, and articulate a sense of personal connection with Indigenous Ancestral Law and healing.
This Learning Network and Knowledge Hub webinar will take place in English, with closed-captioning in English and simultaneous French interpretation.
Presented by Patricia June Vickers, PhD.
May 31, 2022 | 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM EST
To register for the webinar, please click here.
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As Indigenous people, our languages, locations, traditions and identities are tied to where we came from and influence where we're going. 'Indigenous ways of being' is rooted from those teachings and traditions, and although there is great diversity among Indigenous people, there are also some common threads in our worldviews and ways of being.
"Family is important in our culture,” says Jared Williams, a Cowichan Tribes member on Vancouver Island. “They come first, and my family and Elders know this."
Jared is known by his people for his traditional cooking skills and hard work ethic, serving as executive chef for the Elders kitchen in Cowichan Tribes.
As the eldest child in his family, Jared was raised mainly by his grandmother on-reserve, common for Indigenous families. While the other children would go outside to play, Jared would be inside listening to her teachings, at first not realizing the power of knowledge she was passing down.
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May is Invasive Species Action Month" (ISAM) -
Taking Action Against Invasive Species in British Columbia. Every year, the BC government proclaims the month of May as “Invasive Species Action Month" (ISAM) to raise awareness about the harms of invasive species and encourage the public to take action.
Invasive species are plants and animals that are not native to BC and therefore threaten our environment, economy and society, including negative impacts on human health. Invasive species can significantly impact Indigenous communities in the same way, including affecting cultural practices and traditional harvesting.
The Invasive Species Council of BC (ISCBC) is an organization dedicated to taking action in helping concerned stakeholders to work together to stop the spread of invasive species in BC. The ISCBC works in partnership with Indigenous community leaders and members to prevent, detect and manage invasive species. Read full story here.
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