FNHA CEO Richard Jock has informed the FNHA Board of Directors that he intends to retire from the CEO position. Richard joined the FNHA in 2013 and has been CEO since 2019. He'll stay in his role until the board recruits a new CEO. 

FNHA Contact: Joely.Fulcher@fnha.ca

High temperatures can be dangerous and it's important to know the signs of heat-related illnesses. The very young, very old and people with health conditions are the most vulnerable. Learn where high temperatures are forecasted and how to protect yourself and your loved ones. Elevated temperatures are expected and there is a moderate risk to public health.

Watch for the effects of heat illness: heavy sweating, rash, cramps, fainting, high body temperature and the worsening of some health conditions.

Never leave susceptible people, particularly children, or pets inside a parked vehicle.

If you are in an overheated area, seek a cool place such as a tree-shaded area, splash pad, misting station, or air-conditioned spot like a public building.

To get more information:

• Check the local news for health and safety updates.
• Check HealthLinkBC online resources about heat-related illness and how to protect yourself at https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/heat-related-illness.
• Call HealthLinkBC at 8-1-1 to ask about heat-related illness.

Environment Canada and local Medical Health Officers expect an increase in health and safety risks from heat and are advising the public to take precautions.

If you wish to click the links shared in the Heat Supports resource shown here, please click below.

FNHA Contact: Joely.Fulcher@fnha.ca

Kackaamin is one of three Indigenous family treatment centres in Canada, located in Port Alberni, B.C. Among their many programs and services, the centre has a six-week healing program that focuses on rebuilding family attachment.

Gord Johns, MP for Courtenay-Alberni, was present at the 50th anniversary. He told the crowd that Kackaamin’s success over the years has paved the way for the opening of Vancouver Islands first Indigenous youth wellness centre, offering culturally relevant detox services to youth through an organization called Orca Lelum.

Over the last six years, services and programs that Kackaamin provides have tripled, Robinson shared. Kackaamin now has 10 beds for support and early recovery for females on site.

Over the last year they have included other additional programs such as Rebuilding Our Circle, which includes services for those who have been impacted by sexual violence.

With the expansion in services came two new buildings, including a new gathering space as well as a childcare facility that can accommodate up to 24 children.

“I’d like to congratulate Kackaamin on your 50th anniversary, a significant milestone, and just want to honor and acknowledge the courage, the dedication, and the leadership of all those who were instrumental in establishing this organization for children, families and communities,” said Eunice Joe, Regional Executive Director for First Nation Health Authority, a sponsor for Kackaamin. “The impact of the work over the years is far reaching.”

In closing the morning Lisa Robinson, executive director of the Kackaamin Family Development Centre, invited the children to the centre of the circle where they were gifted cedar head bands as the drummers sang You Are My Sunshine.

• Mental Health Clinician (All BC)
• Community Health Nurse - Health Centers (All BC)
• Community Health Nurse, Fly in Fly out - Remote Nursing Stations (All BC)
• Administrative Assistant (Quinsam, BC)
• Community Engagement Coordinator, Coast Salish (Vancouver Island, BC)
• Community Engagement Coordinator, Nuu-Chah-Nulth (Vancouver Island, BC)
• Environmental Health Officer, Quinsam-Campbell River, and Stz'uminus-Ladysmith (Vancouver Island, BC)
• Medical Office Assistant, Primary Care Centre, Nanaimo, Esquimalt, and Wsanec (Tsawout) (Vancouver Island, BC)
• Social Worker (All BC)
• Wellness Navigator (All BC)

• CYMH Clinician - Ministry of Children and Family Development (All BC)
• Community Dietitian - Ligwilda'xw Health Society (Campbell River, BC)
• Part Time Community Wellness Worker - Ligwilda'xw Health Society (Campbell River, BC)
• Manager of Nursing Services - The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (Port Alberni, BC)
• HFN Wellness Worker - Homalco First Nation (Campbell River, BC)

The Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding program (DRIF) program provides funding to First Nations and local governments in B.C. to enhance their capacity to withstand and adapt to natural and climate-driven hazards through:

• activities that bolster community resilience by providing data, building partnerships, and supporting long-term disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation planning, and
• structural and non-structural disaster risk reduction projects

FNHA Contact: Joely.Fulcher@fnha.ca

As the temperatures rise and the festival season sets in; Island Health has health tips to ensure everyone has a fun, and safe, summer.
With the expected hotter temperatures this summer, festival goers are encouraged to stay in the shade, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, and regularly drink water to stay hydrated. Exposure to loud noise at festivals can cause irreversible hearing loss. Don’t stand too close to the speakers and wear a form of ear protection. Staying up to date with immunizations, like measles and COVID-19, can help to prevent the spread of the most common contagious diseases that thrive in crowds.

For more tips and resources, and to find out which festivals will have free drug-checking, read the full story on the Island Health website below. 

Island Health and the Lifesaving Society are calling on the region’s residents to focus on water safety this National Injury Prevention Day, July 5. There were 32 fatal drownings in the Island Health region last year, the highest of all B.C. regions, and worst year on record for Island Health. Most drownings happen in natural bodies of water, such as lakes and rivers. Deaths are most likely to occur during the summer, particularly in July, and on weekends. 

The LEVEL BIPOC Grants Program invests in the leadership capacity of BIPOC-led and BIPOC youth-led and/or youth-engaging organizations operating in B.C. These grants of $150,000 offer flexible, operating funding for three years to registered charities and registered non-profit societies. This funding can be used to cover costs that will contribute to their operational sustainability and adaptability to continue supporting the changing needs of their communities over time.