Volume 1 Issue 1—June 2009
Highlights of Aboriginal Health Programs—AHIP
Special Points of Interest:
• 49% of Aboriginal young people smoke—more than double the rate of other young people in BC • Status First Nations have a diabetes rate 40% higher than the general population. • The life expectancy of Status First Nations is 7 years less than others in BC.
Aboriginal Health and Wellness 2006—2010
Interior Health’s Aboriginal Health and Wellness Plan for 2006—2010 seeks to establish an integrated and coordinated approach to improving the health of Aboriginal people, understanding the diversity of culture and needs of each community. The Interior Health Aboriginal Health Plan is a living document, and thus, will continue to evolve. We will ensure, through consultation and collaboration, that we engage with all of our stakeholders in our best efforts to improve the health of all Aboriginal people living in our region. It is the expectation of Interior Health and the AHWAC that addressing the priority health issues and achieving desired goals, will enable Aboriginal people to receive highquality, culturally appropriate and holistic centered care. This will lead to their improved health and wellness and to the creation of a sustainable and affordable public health system.
INSIDE ...
Metis Community Services Okanagan Nation Alliance White Buffalo Aboriginal Health Society 2
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Keep Active
Dedication on the 9th 3 Floor Lower Columbia All First Nations Aboriginal Health Specific Mission Map of IHA Health Service Area 3
Our Priorities
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Early Childhood Development Mental Health and Addictions Elder Care Communicable Disease
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Injury Prevention Collaboration Cross Cultural Education Communication
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Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society—Urban Aboriginal Health and Wellness Project
The Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society offers an Aboriginal Health and Wellness Project that will centre on the prevention and management of Chronic Illness and Disease through education and health promotion activities. The project co-coordinator will implement a series of workshops and other activities designed for a broad cross-section of the urban Aboriginal community. The KiLow-Na Friendship Society’s IHA funded Health and Wellness worker, Michelle Laboucane, has been running a Saturday program called Family Fun and Wellness Day. Every Saturday, families can participate in a physical activity with their children, and they receive a nutritious snack. Between 25 and 90 participants join in every week. KFS has partnered with the City of Kelowna and recreation organizations to offer part of the program.
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Volume 1 Issue 1—June 2009 Highlights of Aboriginal Health Programs-IH
Métis Community Services Society of BC Growing Strong: FASD Prevention and Intervention Project
The Growing Strong project focuses on Addictions, Mental Health, Chronic Disease and ECD priorities. One-onone visits with Aboriginal females, including women of child bearing age, grandmothers, and daughters to discuss wellness plans that include personal goals and interpersonal relationships. The purpose of the Family Wellness Program is to educate and prevent FASD. Metis Community Services Society (MCSS) also offers programs, such as, the Support Acceptance Surrounded by Community for Help at Home (SASH) group for children and parents and the Métis Women’s group to discuss and educate family members about the responsibility to support women in not drinking alcohol while pregnant. The Family and Wellness program includes one-on-one sessions with clients and families, community meetings, and cultural community gathering events to support improved education and awareness for healthy pregnancies. Community Events include: • Métis Family Picnic • National Aboriginal Day • Louis Riel Day Celebration
Okanagan Nation Alliance K’U Suknaqinx-Being Okanagan SuknaqinxOkanagan Nation Alliance is working with 10 participating organizations to deliver “Being Okanagan” which focuses on Addictions and Mental Health. Workshops will explore issues of cultural retention and the role of the community in drug prevention. This project invites Elders to share their skills, experience and wisdom in support of the social well-being of their communities, while also strengthening the cultural identity of youth. Workshops have been delivered for Suicide Prevention and Depression. The program also included two new sessions on Aboriginal History and a session on traditional foods and nutrition.
White Buffalo Aboriginal Health Society and Resource Centre Aboriginal Family Health and Addictions Project
The Aboriginal Family Health and Addictions Project is based on the traditional ways, which speak to a holistic view of the universe and everything in it. It is believed that a balance of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual elements must interact together to form healthy individuals and communities. Understanding that Aboriginal philosophy does not claim to have specific solutions for every, or even many, situations. The project is made up of the Training, Contract/Referral and Aboriginal Youth Mental Health Committee. Quarterly workshops with culturally appropriate information have been attended by both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Service Providers. The weekly Breakfast Club has given opportunity to educate and discuss health issues to the members that attend. The project is made up of Training, Contract/Referral and Aboriginal Youth Mental Health Committee. Quarterly workshops with culturally appropriate information have been attended by both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Service Providers.
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Volume 1 Issue 1—June 2009
A Dedication on the 9th Floor at RIH
On January 19, a the Interior Health Board Meeting, local Chiefs and Elders joined Board members, Interior Health CEO Murray Ramsden, TCS COO Andrew Neuner, and other guests in a dedication on the 9th floor of Royal Inland Hospital ― the new home of the Aboriginal Health team and TCS Corporate Offices Native art and artifacts on loan through the Secwepmec Cultural Education Society and Museum were unveiled, and a traditional smudging ceremony was conducted in the new office space.
Lower Columbia All First Nations– AHIP West Kootenay Boundary
The AHIP Project will host monthly support groups to provide crosscultural education and decrease barriers for effective health care. Young children through to teens will benefit from age appropriate material and activities, guiding them towards healthier lifestyles, such as, gymnastics, swimming, skating, hockey, walking, running, and racket sports. There will also be focus on long-term goals for personal development with such things as challenges, competitions as well as personal recognition in success.
First Day of Spring Celebration “A cedar tree was planted with beads which represented any burdens we would like to be rid of.”
Creating awareness through education activities, such as, addiction, chronic diseases, poverty and other barriers will lead to more effective role-modeling and healthier choices. Nutrition education will be
specifically focussed on dietary techniques for diabetes, obesity, heart, mental health, low income, young people’s needs and preventative dental health management. Community kitchens, gardens and harvesting will restore primary food sources. There will also be an Oral Hygiene Education Program delivered to Nelson, Castlegar, Trail and Grand Forks. Each workshop will offer information on oral hygiene, preventative dental care and proper nutrition.
Ktunaxa Kinbasket Child and Family Services Society
Candle in the Dark at the Cariboo Chilcotin Métis Association. The services provided under the Mental Health and Wellness Program will be available in six community areas over three years. Each program area will be able to choose from the following: • Lifestyle or Educational Workshops—Must be related to Youth/Men’s Wellness, increasing self-esteem, goal setting, addiction free and healthy lifestyle choices. Direct Services for Mental Health—Each community area will have the opportunity to purchase private therapeutic services for clients that are not eligible for mainstream services, such as, Ministry Children and Families, or Interior Health or Indian Northern Affairs Canada funded programs.
“I want to say thanks to Interior Health for sponsoring another year of Candle in the Dark, which is a program of workshops designed to bring health awareness to our community.”
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Volume 1 Issue 1—June 2009
As the Aboriginal Contract Advisor, I can help you with proposal writing, developing reports and work with you to make your program successful. I can visit your communities to meet with you about your programs and possibly meet the participants to gather success stories. I also encourage you to send in articles, stories and quotes about your program, so they can be included in the newsletter. The newsletter will be published quarterly.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Coreen Jenner Aboriginal Contracts Advisor Interior Health Authority 9th Floor—311 Columbia Street Kamloops, BC V2C 2T1 (250) 314-2100 Ext 3780 (250) 314-2172 coreen.jenner@interiorhealth.ca
Check our web site at www.interiorhealth.ca