|
Interior Health's (IH) bi-monthly Aboriginal Partnerships News shares updates on our work supporting improved Aboriginal health and well-being, and highlights key activities and collaborations on our journey to advancing reconciliation and the provision of culturally safe care.
|
|
Recognizing Louis Riel Day
Each year on November 16, we commemorate the legacy of Louis Riel and his profound sacrifice and enduring influence. We remember and give tribute to a man who was a great Métis leader by recognizing his advocacy for the protection of the rights and culture of the Métis Nation.
|
|
|
|
“Interior Health stands together with Métis employees and medical staff, and Métis People across the Interior region by honouring Riel’s life and historic fight for justice. He stood up for rights. He stood up for inclusion. He stood up for a seat at the table.
I encourage each of you to take some time today to learn more about Louis Riel and the Métis Nation. As we proceed on our shared journey to reconciliation, let us reflect on the history and struggle of the Métis Nation, the contributions made by a great leader, and what each of us can do within our own lives to address racism, discrimination and injustice.”
~ Susan Brown, president and CEO
|
|
|
|
If you would like to learn more about Louis Riel, visit the links below or listen to previous episodes of Interior Voices:
|
|
|
Interior Voices Podcast: Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC)
In this episode of Interior Voices, hosts Nicole Taylor-Sterritt and Jade Chaboyer-Kondra are joined by Becca Britton, Métis Health Systems Advocate (Interior region) for MNBC Ministry of Health and Eva Habib, the Métis Health Equity Manager from MNBC. In a compelling conversation, they discuss the history of the Métis, the importance of culturally safe and distinctive health care, and the working relationship between MNBC and IH. This discussion was had in honour of Louis Riel Day, commemorated each year on November 16.
|
|
|
“The Métis are one of three distinct Indigenous peoples in Canada with a unique culture, history and language, that was born through the process of ethnogenesis, starting back in the 1600s. When French, Scottish and English fur traders came to what is now known as Canada, they intermarried with mainly Cree or Saulteaux First Nations women. These unions resulted in a generation of mixed-descent children.”
~ Becca Britton, Métis Health Systems Advocate (Interior region)
|
|
|
|
This episode is a must-listen for anyone working in health care who wants to learn about Métis culture, history, and how to work toward achieving better health outcomes for Métis people.
|
|
|
Join us for the first IH Indigenous Engagement Forum
February 28 & 29, 2024 | syilx Okanagan territory (Kelowna)
By attending the Forum, you will have the opportunity to learn, network and collaborate! There will be opportunities to build and strengthen relationships and partnerships between other Indigenous folks and IH staff from around the Interior region. Workshops, speakers, and panel discussions will take place, with presentations from both IH and partners, and will enable a shared understanding of priorities and cultural safety from a distinctions-based community lens.
Additionally, a health fair will host both IH and partner booths, sharing health important information (e.g., toxic drug crisis resources) to encourage learning opportunities.
|
|
|
Interior Region Indigenous Food Forum
From canning and preservation, to learning about medicinal tea, and the importance of climate change, participants from Indigenous communities came together with event organizers, IH and FNHA, for important conversations at this year’s Interior Region Indigenous Food Forum. The forum was held at the Arbour in Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc on September 25-26, 2023.
|
|
|
Interior Voices Podcast: Indigenous Foods in IH Facilities
In this episode, hosts Nicole Taylor-Sterritt and Jade Chaboyer-Kondra sit down with Savanna Brown, Director, Quality Standards & Initiatives, to learn how IH has integrated traditional Indigenous food options into IH facilities. The legacy of colonization in Canada can be felt through the systemic inequities that remain, such as the loss of traditional foods for Indigenous peoples - food which is integral to Indigenous culture. Through the Traditional Food Initiative, Savanna's work has started with her own learning and unlearning journey including a Ministry of Health led piloted learning journey to introduce Indigenous foods into health care. In partnership with the Support Services leadership team, she looks forward to collaborating with Indigenous community members to understand their needs and help create a menu that embraces traditional recipes and their history.
|
|
|
“When we serve the food, it’s also important to learn the history of the food and who is the keeper of that recipe, and not only make the menu item available, but also share a piece of that history.”
~ Savanna Brown, Director, Quality Standards & Initiatives
|
|
|
|
If you'd like to learn more about food and Aboriginal culture, check out these previous episodes of Interior Voices:
|
|
IH Healthy Communities Newsletter
Every month the IH Healthy Communities program distributes a newsletter that celebrates achievements of local governments in the Interior region related to building healthy communities. Each issue also shares funding opportunities and resources for advancing healthy public policy, as well as events and learning opportunities like conferences and webinars.
|
|
|
|
|
The new Food Security Emergency Planning and Preparedness (FSPP) Fund will support the purchase, upgrading and installation of equipment and infrastructure by those who have a direct role in preparing and responding to agricultural emergencies, including farmers, local governments, First Nations, industry associations, and other service providers.
|
|
|
|
The FireSmart Community Funding and Supports program provides funding to local governments and First Nations in BC to increase community resiliency by undertaking community-based FireSmart planning and activities that reduce the community’s risk from wildfire.
|
|
|
|
The First Nations Well Being Fund (FNWBF) supports First Nations in their efforts to promote well being, increase quality of life for all community members (both on and off-reserve) and reduce poverty at the community and/or Nation level. The FNWBF offers funding to First Nations and Tribal Councils to support projects related to community well being and poverty reduction. Areas of particular focus for funding will include, but are not limited to, food security, social and cultural supports, employment, education and training, families, children and youth, mental health, and transportation.
|
|
|
The Indigenous Food Security and Sovereignty (IFS) Grant provides non-repayable funding contributions to First Nation communities, Tribal Councils, Métis Nation Chartered Communities, Indigenous led not for profit organizations, and Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs. Applicants must be based British Columbia to participate in and receive financial supports to develop, expand, or strengthen their Indigenous food systems and innovation to enhance sustainability and growth of the Indigenous agriculture and food sovereignty. There will be continuous intake and approval processes during the following annual application intake periods:
- Intake 1: Closed
- Intake 2: May 1, 2024, to December 1, 2024
- Intake 3: May 1, 2025, to December 21, 2025
To learn more visit Indigenous Food Security and Sovereignty (IFS) Grant
|
|
|
New Centre for Health System Learning & Innovation coming to the Interior
On Nov. 1, 2023, IH and the Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) Foundation announced a new Centre for Health System Learning & Innovation (the Centre).
The Centre will be the first of its kind with a focus on rural, remote, Indigenous, and community health care. It will build on the tremendous momentum generated in recent years through the Interior Health Research Network, which started in 2014 with seven people and has now grown to 2,245 members including physicians, staff, clinicians, decision-makers, Aboriginal partners, community members, and academics who connect in a variety of ways to discuss research and its application to health care.
The KGH Foundation’s recently launched ‘Closer to home than you think’ campaign, is a $40 million fundraising effort that promises to fund changes to local health-care in eight priority areas: cancer, cardiac, system innovation, women's health, bone and joint health, mental health, brain health and clinical excellence. Included in the health system priority area, is a $1M commitment to establish the Indigenous Peoples Wellness Fund to support the health and wellness of Indigenous communities in the Okanagan.
|
|
|
|
The IH Aboriginal Career Specialists support continued movement towards a more inclusive healthcare system, where diversity, inclusion and addressing Aboriginal-specific racism are a recognized priority at all levels of the organization. Their work primarily supports the recruitment and retention of Aboriginal employees at IH.
The Aboriginal Employment Advisors offer the following services to job seekers:
- Tips for resume and cover letter writing
- Interview/pre-screen readiness coaching
- Application process support
- Onboarding and career exploration
- Aboriginal community and youth engagement
The Aboriginal Career Specialists are hard at work connecting with candidates, communities, and attending career and engagement events.
|
|
Aboriginal Job Postings with Interior Health
Aboriginal Patient Navigator Positions:
Other Positions:
Visit IH Careers for up-to-date Aboriginal Listings
|
|
|
|
|
|
