FNHA CEO Richard Jock has released a statement on the Canadian Medical Association's (CMA) apology to Indigenous Peoples. The CMA is recognizing and apologizing for their past and ongoing role in harming First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. The FNHA welcomes this apology and encourages other health partners to do the same.

Residents of Northern Vancouver Island are celebrating the opening of the Kwakwaka'wakw First Nations Primary Care service. The service will deliver culturally safe and relevant, trauma-informed primary care to ten Kwakwaka'wakw Nations in existing health centres or other identified buildings in each respective community.

Eunice Joe, Executive Director for VI Region, was interviewed by Jason D'Souza, CBC News on October 3rd, with regards to the Kwakwaka'wakw First Nation Primary Care service that is opened to the North Island.

Click here to listen!

We’re thrilled to announce the nomination process for Health Champions in the Vancouver Island region, developed under the guidance of the Partnership Accord Steering Committee (PASC). This initiative aims to recognize and uplift individuals who advocate for First Nations health and wellness within our communities, nations, and the healthcare system.

Nomination Criteria: We’re looking for individuals who demonstrate leadership and advocacy in First Nations health and wellness.

Categories: Nominations will be accepted in three categories:

• Youth (between the ages 12 and 24)
• Community Member
• Health Leader

Recognition: Successful nominees will be celebrated at the Regional Fall Caucus 2024.

Please click the link below to fill out the nomination form, which includes detailed criteria and submission instructions.

Together, let’s honour the champions of First Nations health!

My name is Emily Redhead. My ancestry is from the Dehcho Dene, and I am a member of the Liidlie-Kue First Nation in the Northwest Territories. I am grateful to live, work and raise my family on the traditional unceded lands of the Coast Salish people. I reside on the traditional unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw and work on the traditional unceded territory of the Stz’uminus.  I have lived on Vancouver Island for many years, first moving to the traditional unceded Nuu-Chah-Nulth territories as a teenager in the 90’s.  I am the mom of 2 energetic boys, ages 11 and 14. Some of the activities I enjoy include yoga, kayaking and swimming.

I am registered as a clinical counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. I worked for several years as a social worker before going back to school to complete my MA in Counselling Psychology. I have had the honor and privilege to work as a counsellor in clinical and community settings. I have a love for learning and am passionate about providing culturally safe service, blending Indigenous ways of knowing with current research and evidence based approached to wellness. 

I am excited to be joining the FNHA Vancouver Island Regional Team in the role of Coast Salish Hub Clinician.  I am grateful to have the opportunity to provide mental health, wellness and counselling support to First Nations communities across Vancouver Island. As part of the Hub based capacity building team I bring a culturally safe mental health perspective to consultation, program development and implementation of wellness services. I look forward to continued relationship building with individuals, communities and my new FNHA family. Mahsi-Cho! 

FNHA Contact: Emily.Redhead@fnha.ca

The Indigenous Health Initiative Program (IHIP) supports community-based projects in Indigenous communities by administering funds through the Indigenous Health Program of Island Health.

All funding is applied for through the request for proposals (RFP), which is mailed to First Nations, Metis Organizations and Friendship Centres on Vancouver Island. 

 For more information and to submit a proposal, please click link below.

Signed and completed proposals are due November 1, 2024, by 4:00 p.m.

On September 13, 2024, a remarkable moment in healing and community took place as the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) joined Tsow-tun Le Lum (TTLL) to celebrate the Sacred Ceremonial Grand Opening of the newly relocated healing house in Cowichan Territory. This day marked not just the unveiling of a new building but the continuation of a vital legacy that began in Snaw-naw-as Territory in 1988.

The celebration began early in the morning, welcoming guests through a beautiful cedar arch—a symbol of healing, and to offer a brushing as people entered the healing house. The feeling in the room was calm, as elders were called to witness the healing journey ahead, emphasizing the importance of their wisdom and guidance. 

At 9:00 AM, the sacred mask dancers of the Coast Salish family performed a powerful sacred dance, a tradition passed down through generations. Their movement, accompanied by the weight of history, brought healing as the ground becomes blessed for the work ahead showing resilience and spirit of First Nations culture. No videos or photos are permitted during this time, as this particular dance is sacred and ceremonial. It is intended solely for those present and not for widespread sharing online—a tool that emerged only after colonization.

The groundbreaking ceremony held deep significance, as families from Coast Salish, Kwakwaka’wakw, Nuu-Chah-Nulth, and Urban communities blessed the land through songs, dance, and a pipe ceremony. The Coast Salish, Kwakwaka’wakw, and Nuu-Chah-Nulth members blessed the floor by dropping eagle feather down to honor their ancestors, transforming the space into a site for healing that connects the past with the future. The Urban ceremony emphasized the power of tobacco smoke in communicating with the spirit world, with prayers offered before the tobacco is placed in the pipe. As the smoke rises, it carries these prayers to the Creator and the four directions, with four puffs symbolizing the bond between the human and spirit worlds.

A pivotal moment arrived at 11:30 AM when representatives from Tsow-tun Le Lum, First Nations Health Authority, Island Health, Correctional Services Canada, Cowichan Tribes, and the Power to Give, gathered to cut the cedar ribbon, officially opening the doors to a larger, more equipped facility that will serve Indigenous people from across the province. Nola Jeffrey, Executive Director of TTLL, reflected on the day, saying, “ One of the things my elders always tell me is, love is the most important thing... so what I do is I create a safe and loving home for people to come and do their healing.”

With this new location, TTLL can now expand its offerings, including a crucial new “Stabilization Program” designed to help individuals get grounded and prepared to enter the Substance Use program—a vital step for many who face barriers to accessing care. “ The Stabilization Program will help get people in the doors really quickly, and just help them stabilize. To help them get grounded, orientated and help them with withdraw management. We don’t have a medical detox, but people absolutely come here and are detoxing off anything they are using to help them feel better,” said Nola Jeffrey. This program addresses the immediate needs of Indigenous individuals, paving the way for a more accessible and supportive healing environment. “ Change requires system-wide, transformative approaches and Tsow-Tun Le Lum is a model for organizations seeking to provide culturally safe and trauma-informed cultural, emotional, addictions and healing services to First Nations people” said Richard Jock, Chief Executive Officer, First Nations Health Authority (FNHA).

After the ribbon cutting, guests savored a delightful lunch prepared by the talented chefs at TTLL, which featured three exquisite cakes crafted by Isabella Towiss, honoring the center’s mission and values. The afternoon featured speeches from community leaders, including Telaxten of the First Nations Health Council representative from the Coast Salish family, who warmly stated, “ It’s been a long time coming where we’ve needed this house for our people.”

As the event drew to a close, cultural sharing and dancing by the Coast Salish, Kwakwaka’wakw, Nuu-Chah-Nulth and Urban families illuminated the gathering, highlighting the power of tradition in encouraging community and healing. Nola Jeffrey was walked out with the Tzinquwa Dancers, a heartfelt tribute as she was blanketed and honored for her unwavering commitment to the healing house.

The day finished in a series of giveaways, a token of gratitude for everyone who attended and participated in this remarkable celebration. It was a heartfelt and emotional day that underlined the significance of community, blessings, and healing of our people.

Thank you, Tsow-tun Le Lum, for allowing us to be part of this transformative day. Together, we step forward into a future where healing is not just a possibility, but a shared journey for all.

Last week, we wrapped up the 2024 Vancouver Island Regional Health and Wellness Summit! Community health champions gathered at Tigh-na-mara on traditional Snaw-naw-as territory to honour and reclaim wholistic Indigenous health knowledge and practices.

Throughout the event, participants engaged in workshops and discussions that highlighted key themes, including:

• Culture
• Language
• Movement
• Eating Traditional Foods
• Cultural Dancing
• Journaling & Reading
• Walking in Nature
• A Good Morning Routine
• Arts

These practices nurture our spirit, mind, body, and emotions, underscoring the importance of wholistic well-being.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to these meaningful conversations.

We’d also like to give a special shout-out to photographer Melody Charlie and videographer Tyler McLeod from Kotawân Media for their incredible work in capturing the essence of the event!