Photo credit: Campbell River Hospital Foundation  

In the Gathering Space at Campbell River Hospital, a room designated for cultural activities, a moment of deep significance unfolds. Surrounded by family and Nation members, a child is being honoured in a traditional naming and adoption ceremony, rooted in culture, connection and love.

From August 14–17, 2025, the Ehattesaht First Nation welcomed families and youth from Mowachaht/Muchalaht, Kyuquot/Cheklesahht, Nuchatlaht, and Tla-o-qui-aht to Zeballos for the Northern Region Games. Over the course of four days, the community gathered to share in wellness, connection, and the simple enjoyment of being together.

The Northern Region Games carry a history rooted in community vision and leadership. Years ago, it was difficult and costly for families in the North to travel to Port Alberni for the Tlupiich Games. To ensure northern families could experience the same sense of fun, competition, and togetherness closer to home, in 2001 leaders created what was first called “family fun time in the North.” The late Jerry Jack, Kelly John, and Earl Smith, together with Elders Maurice McLean, Sam Johnson, Alban Michael, and March Johnson, gave the Games their name to honour our historical alliances. Their vision to bring families together to visit, laugh, eat, and strengthen connections continues to guide the gathering today, with principles of respect, helpfulness, fun-filled family time, and preparing for the future.

Although heavy rain swept through the region this year, altering much of the planned agenda, the foundation of the Games stayed strong. With the fishing derby, canoe races, and field games set aside, the gymnasium quickly became the heart of the Games. Volleyball and basketball matches, bouncy castles, and children’s laughter filled the space, while each Nation took turns preparing meals that reflected the strong family values of community and support. On Saturday, the Much Music dance was a hit, marking one of the most memorable moments of the weekend.

FNHA Engagement Coordinator Molly Lucas attended the event on behalf of FNHA, offering resources and swag at her table and stepping in to support wherever needed. Molly’s connection to community is central to her role. Her welcoming presence helps people feel comfortable and reflects the values of care and togetherness that the Games uphold.

Even under heavy rain, the event carried forward the vision of those who began it and the values that remain at its heart today. Next year, the Games will continue this tradition in the Mowachaht/Muchalaht territory.

FNHA's toxic drug crisis response research webpage is a repository of collaborative publications created by health system partners related to the toxic drug public health emergency. Evaluations are conducted by FNHA in partnership with researchers from the Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes, Simon Fraser University, Canadian Institute of Substance Use Research at the University of Victoria, BC Centre for Disease Control, among others. 

Accessing culturally safe mental health care can be challenging for First Nations people in rural and remote communities. Virtual services help  to bridge that gap. As well, to bring care even closer to home, the First Nations-led Primary Care Initiative (FNPCI) is opening three Primary Care Centres in each of BC’s five health regions. Read more about how FNHA is connecting First Nations to wellness services.

FNHA Research and Knowledge Exchange (RKE) team is honoured to share a new community-based research study. This report explores First Nations perspectives on accessibility, what it means in everyday life, what barriers exist, and how accessibility can be improved, reflecting community values, priorities, and lived experiences.

Both commercial tobacco and vape products pose serious health risks. The tobacco industry targets youth through flavoured products, bright designs, and social media, making it easy to get hooked and hard to quit. To protect youth and support wellness for all, a new video from FNHA talks about the importance of Nations, communities, Elders, friends and loved ones coming together in open conversation and support.

We are excited to share a Save The Date for the upcoming Healing Pathways Substance Use and Referral Workshop, hosted by FNHA’s Central Health Benefits and Wholistic Wellness team.

This workshop will provide comprehensive information and discussions on pathways and processes for treatment and recovery journeys. It is designed to support knowledge and confidence for those working in community addictions positions and for referral workers. This workshop is open to those who work directly for First Nations Communities.

Date: October 14-16, 2025
Location: Sun Peaks Grand Hotel and Conference Centre
Time: Check-in at 3pm on October 14, with dinner to follow. October 15th Full-Day, October 16th Half-Day

Cost: Accommodations and travel covered by FNHA

If you’re interested, please send us an email at: mhwprograms@fnha.ca

Please note: the agenda is still being developed, and additional details will be shared as they become available. 

Topics will include:

• Navigating Treatment Referrals: Practical strategies and pathways to support individuals accessing treatment services.
• Trauma-Informed Practice: Approaches that centre safety, trust, and cultural humility in referral work.
• Community Partner Presentations: Local organizations and service providers sharing supports and connections:
• Building a Community of Practice: Opportunities to join an ongoing network of referral workers for continued learning, sharing, and support. 

This workshop will be a space to learn, connect, and strengthen our collective efforts in supporting wellness journeys.

Information about registration and accommodations will be shared closer to the workshop date.

As part of the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council’s (I·SPARC) Healthy Living programming, the Food Systems Program (FSP) supports Indigenous communities in reaching their food sovereignty and food security goals. The Food Systems Program distributes grant opportunities and provides support with capacity building, technical training, networking, and cultural sharing through in-person gatherings, online education/events, and resource sharing. I·SPARC is committed to being inclusive of all aspects of food relations while offering a low-barrier strengths-based approach. Building on over ten years of prior momentum, I·SPARC is now in the fourth year of delivering the Food Systems Program in 2025-26, funded in partnership with the First Nations Health Authority and Ministry of Agriculture.

This annual, community-led event brings together Vancouver Island Nations to celebrate food sovereignty, cultural teachings, and intergenerational learner. 

2025 preparations are now underway! Quw'utsun Cultural Connections Society (QCCS) and Social Planning Cowichan (SPC) couldn't be prouder to partner with nations and organizations in the Southern Vancouver Island region, hosted from the heart of Quw'utsun territory.As taught to us by our knowledge holders, integral to being a good host is the ability to share foods and to do so with generosity. It is therefore our goal to harvest, process, and prepare food and resources well in advance of the main gathering. 

In the months leading up to the event, we are holding workshops in local communities that connect youth and young adults to Elders and knowledge keepers. These sessions support the preservation of culture and language, provide hands-on experiences such as preparing harvesting tools and implements, revitalize land-based learning and relationships to the land, and promote principles of land stewardship. 

During the Fall gathering from October 6-9th, land-based workshops will continue to play a central role as we incorporate many of the above goals, while working to strengthen resilience in Indigenous food sovereignty across communities. These workshops and the Fall gathering aim to ensure that our snuw'uy'ulh (teachings) are passed on across generations. 

For more information, or to receive a copy of our sponsorship package, please contact Qwulipulwutqccs@gmail.com or click on the link below to check out our Facebook page. 

September is right around the corner and it is time to mark your calendars for the annual Every Child Matters Walk on September 30, 2025.

We would love to have you and your families, co-workers, students, and Elders join us to recognize the children that survived Residential School and honour the children that did not make it home.

Shops downtown may be open and we hope you can support local businesses as that is what makes Quw’utsun unique.

Linked below is a poster for you to share, post, and spread the word of our event.

Attention Vancouver Island Caucus Delegates,

On behalf of Ahousaht First Nation, please find attached information regarding an upcoming Healing Gathering.

The Ahousaht Residential School Research Team and Ahousaht Leadership warmly invite you to join them on October 9, 2025, to witness the demolition of the three remaining buildings at the Christie school site. This event marks a significant moment in our collective healing journey.

To witness the demolition of the three remaining buildings at the Christie school site. 

• Boats will leave the main dock (First Street) in Tofino at 8:00 a.m.
• Ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m.

In BC, Registered Dietitians (RDs) are dedicated health professionals with education, training, expertise, and accountability to provide evidence-based nutrition advice.

RDs are experts in the field of nutrition and provide dietary advice on a range of health conditions. They use a patient-centred approach to promote and deliver quality nutrition care throughout Island Health.

Clinical dietitians assist patients in hospital and residential care to improve their overall nutrition. 

Come join us in the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw people, in Nanaimo, B.C., for an important gathering on Indigenous justice with a special focus on justice for Indigenous Youth who remain overrepresented in the youth justice system.

The Reclaiming Justice for Indigenous Youth Symposium will explore how Indigenous communities and service providers are reclaiming jurisdiction over justice programs and services. These discussions aim to foster awareness and support for the revitalization of traditional Indigenous justice practices and approaches to making amends. 

We encourage community service providers, those working in the legal system, and FN communities to join us. Together, we hope to deepen our mutual understanding and drive systemic change in alignment with the vision of reconciliation.

For more information and to register for this event, please click the link below.

• Family Physician - Coast Salish Communities (Vancouver Island)
• Family Physician - Kwakwaka'wakw Communities (Vancouver Island)
• Mental Health Clinician (Snuneymuxw - Nanaimo)
• Nurse Practitioner - Coast Salish FNPCC (South Vancouver Island)
• Nurse Practitioner - Coast Salish FNPCC (Tsartlip)
• Primary Care Registered Nurse - Tseycum (North Saanich) and Esquimalt (Victoria)
• Primary Care Registered Nurse- Snuneymuxw
• Clinic Lead Health & Wellness Services - Slhexun Sun'ts'a' Clinic (Cowichan)
• Clinic Lead and Wellness Services (Snuneymuxw - Nanaimo)
• Clinic Lead, Maternal Child & Family Health - Kwakiutl, Quatsino and Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw - Internal Only (Port Hardy)
• Community Coordinator, Crisis Response - (Tseshaht)
• Director, Family Based Programs and Services, Nuu-Chah-Nulth Cultural Family (Vancouver Island)
• Youth Wellness Liaison - Coast Salish, Kwakwaka'wakw, and Nuu-chah-nulth (Vancouver Island)

• Personal Care Worker (PCW) - Cowichan Tribes (Duncan)
• Registered Nurse - Songhees First Nation (Victoria)
• Health Director - Malahat Nation (Mill Bay)
• SPAKEN House Manager - Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness Society (Victoria)