FNHC Infobulletin Volume 2 Issue 1 | March 2009 - First Nations ...

F i r s t N a t i o n s H e a l t h C o u n c i l
infobulletin
Volume
2 Issue 1 / March 2009
Our Vision Healthy, self-determining and vibrant BC First Nations children, families and communities
>INSIDE
> Tripartite Injury Prevention p.2
> 2009 Wellness Diary Launched p.5
> Food Skills for Families p.8
> Research and Data p.9
> Gathering Wisdom III p.11
Photo: Boothroyd Band- Hearts at work event

First Nations Health Council | March 2009 Infobulletin | page 2
Tripartite Injury Prevention- Keeping Our Children Safe
Tripartite injury prevention
Tripartite partners will be working
with BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation
to develop practical tools and tips that
can help families and communities be
safer on our roads.
The Tripartite First Nations Health Plan calls
on the parties to: “Develop an informational
campaign to increase awareness about seatbelt
use and safe driving.”
Recognizing that child car seats protect
our cherished young family members, the
First Nations Health Council, along with our
tripartite partners, has developed a partnership
with the BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation.
For over 100 years the BCAA TSF has been
helping drivers and their families. Now they
will be working with the Tripartite Injury
Prevention Working Group to develop practical
tools and tips that can help families and
communities be safer on our roads.
Training will occur in communities to
increase the awareness of the importance
of using infant, child or booster seats.
Additionally, options will be explored to
increase access to seats within communities
and expertise to guide safe installation. An
interactive DVD workshop for parents and
family members of teen drivers is also in
development.
If you would like more information about
the programs offered by BCAA TSF, please
visit: www.bcaatsf.com
If you would like more information about
child car seats, please visit: www.ChildSeat-
Info.com to access a wide range of easy-touse
resources.
Community members and health care workers will be trained in installing child car seats
and in developing car seat loaner programs.
Tripartite injury prevention working group
Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport
Matt Herman
Director, Injury Prevention & Healthy Built
Environment Chronic Disease/Injury Prevention
and Built Environment Branch Population
and Public Health Division
email: Matt.Herman@gov.bc.ca
Robin Yates
Injury Prevention Analyst
Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport
email: robin.yates@gov.bc.ca
Health Canada
Randal Defant
Injury Prevention Coordinator
First Nations & Inuit Health, Pacific Region.
Email: randal_defant@hc-sc.gc.ca
First Nations Health Council
Tania Moore
Policy Analyst
tmoore@fnhc.ca
Derina Peters
Jr. Policy Analyst
dpeters@fnhc.ca
Tara R. Nault
A/Director, Aboriginal Health
Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport
email: Tara.nault@gov.bc.ca
Tripartite First Nations Health Plan

First Nations Health Council | March 2009 Infobulletin | page 3
A Message from the Health Council
First Nations Health Society:
Interim Operating
Structure
The Tripartite First Nations Health
Plan references the four pillars of
the future governing structure for
First Nations Health in BC which
include: A First Nations Health
Governing Body, A First Nations
Health Council, A Tripartite
Provincial Advisory Committee
on First Nations Health, and an
Association of Health Directors.
Work is underway toward the
creation of a First Nations Health
Society (FNHS) which will serve
as operational arm of the First
Nations Health Council. It is
important to note that, the
creation of the FNHS does not
preclude governance discussions
through the First Nations Interim
Health Governance Committee
(FNIHGC) focussed on the creation
of the new structure to govern
First Nations Health Services in
BC.
Board of Directors
Selection Process
The new FNHS Board of Directors
(BoD) will consist of seven
directors selected by the current
First Nations Health Council. The
current health council (Chief Lydia
Hwitsum, Chief Fabian Alexis,
Debbie Abbott, Chief William
Starr, Chief Jennifer Bobb, Grand
Chief Doug Kelly & Grand Chief
Edward John (ex-officio) are the
members of the First Nations
Health Society. On the FNHS
board, three out of seven seats on
the will be reserved for BC First
Nations. The term for BoD seats is
three years.
The FNHC expects to complete
the BoD selection process by mid-
March. An introduction to the
new Board will be featured in the
June infobulletin.
Gathering Wisdom III
The 3rd Annual Gathering Wisdom
for a Shared Journey Forum will
be held May 19-21st, 2009. FNHC
is excited to add a third day to this
year’s forum and to separate the
dialogue into three distinct areas.
• Day one- Health Governance
• Day two- Tripartite Health
Actions Updates
• Day three- Health Directors
Based on feedback from past
forums, there is a strong
community interest in having
more reporting from our tripartite
partners. Day two of this year’s
forum will see First Nations
Inuit Health, Ministry of Health
Services, Ministry of Healthy
Living and Sport, and First Nations
Health Council staff providing joint
reporting on progress made in the
implementation of the Tripartite
Plan during 2008. Potential topic
areas include Maternal and
Child Health, Mental Wellness
and Substance Misuse, eHealth,
Research and Data, Health Human
Resources, and Health Advocacy.
Leadership Challenge
FNHC is launching a Leadership
Challenge to all First Nations
communities in BC during the
upcoming Union of BC Indian
Chiefs and First Nations Summit
forums. The Leadership Challenge
asks communities to set and meet
3 health goals. The Challenge is an
initiative of First Nations Act Now,
and requires political leadership
(Chief or Council member) to sign
up their communities to meet
personal, organizational, and
community-wide health goals.
Those communities who meet
the challenge become eligible for
$1000 dollar prize packages. So
don’t delay, sign up today!
Sincerely,
First Nations Health Council
Health Council Members (l-r) Chief Jennifer Bobb (Spuzzum First Nation), Chief
Fabian Alexis (Okanagan Indian Band) and Health Council Co-Chair Debbie Abbott,
sign the FN Health Society constitution.
Call for BC First Nations Directors
The First Nations Health Council is seeking 3 BC First Nations Directors
RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direction of the First Nations Health
Society Members, the Board of Directors will be
responsible for the following key activities:
• Develop the strategic plan with input from
the FNHS members
• Select, monitor and annually review the
Executive Directors performance against
the agreed upon objectives
• Provide input to the Executive Director for
the development of the operational plan
• Approve annual action plans, operating and
capital budgets
• Monitor progress towards the FNHS
strategic objectives and performance
against operating and capital plans as well
as budgets
• Power to delegate both decision-making
and signing authority by resolution to
Directors, Officers or others (e.g. Exec
Director)
• Guide and oversee the development,
implementation and maintenance of a
reporting system that accurately measures
the FNHS performance against its strategic
plans and action plans
• • Participate on sub-committees as
required
FIRST NATIONS HEALTH COUNCIL
The role of the First Nations Health Council
is to support and assist BC’s diverse First
Nations by:
• Serving as an advocacy voice of BC
First Nations in achieving their health
priorities and objectives;
• Conducting health-related policy
analysis and research;
• Participating in policy and program
planning processes related to First
Nations health; and
• Providing leadership in the
implementation of the Transformative
Change Accord; First Nations Health
Plan, and the Tripartite First Nations
Health Plan.
TIME COMMITMENT
It is anticipated that the Board of Directors
will be required to attend a minimum of 4
meetings per year with additional meetings
called as required. In addition, Members of
the Board of Directors are required to attend
the FNHS annual general meeting. The term
of office for the Board of Directors will be
three years.
DEADLINE for applications: March 6th, 2009 | For more information please visit: www.fnhc.ca |

First Nations Health Council | March 2009 Infobulletin | page 4
Health Careers Recruitment
Recruiting
It has been a busy winter season for health
recruiters Erin Mearns and Steve Sxwithultxw.
The “Strengthening Connections
Tour” was a major success. Our First Nations
approach to recruiting initiatives is gaining
momentum as we travel across the province
promoting all of the employment and career
opportunities in health care.
Recently the recruiters attended a very
intimate career fair in Sumas First Nation
near Abbotsford, BC. Although just 30 youth
attended, it was a great opportunity to talk
with community members about the role of
Health Careers Recruitment Officers within
the overall health human resources strategy
of the First Nations Health Council.
In January, Steve attended a recruiting fair in
Bella Bella and in Bella Coola. In Bella Coola,
approximately 50 youth and adults attended
a detailed presentation. In a videotaped
message from Dr. Evan Adams and Lieutenant
Governor Steven Point the attendees
heard valuable key messages about the
importance of health education and health
careers. At the Bella Bella fair, students and
exhibitors were honoured when local Chiefs
performed a traditional song and dance
for the group. Over 100 students attended
breakout sessions with all in attendance,
learning the values of education.
Erin recently attended the All Native Basketball
tournament in Prince Rupert BC. Several
thousand First Nation youth attended.
“Strengthening Connections” toured the
north attending towns like Terrace, Hazelton,
Prince George, and Smithers. The tour
is over a week long and is targeting as many
First Nations as possible within that time.
Mentorship
The FNHC is currently developing a mentorship
program and are seeking names of professionals
in the health field who are willing
to work with adult learners and youth who
are embarking on a health career. Although
this initiative is just beginning we are hoping
health workers will step forward in their
communities and assist us with this exciting
Health Careers Recruiter Erin Mearns shares information with interested youth at the Prince
Rupert All-Native basketball tournament.
program. The benefits of this program to
those mentored will be tremendous.
If you are interested in mentoring in the
future please let us know by contacting us at
our office.
contact us:
If you would like us to come to your school
or community, please let us know...we
would be happy to attend!
Erin (emearns@fnhc.ca)
Steve (steves@fnesc.ca)
Or call the First Nations Health Council at
604-913-2080
UVIC Aboriginal Career Fair
- March 6, 2009, Victoria
BC Aboriginal Youth
Conference - March 17-20,
2009, Kelowna
Heritage Woods Secondary
Health Career Presentation
- April 2, 2009, Port Moody
Spring Recruitment Trips

First Nations Health Council | March 2009 Infobulletin | page 5
2009/2010 Wellness Diaries
Health and Wellness Diary
Dr. Rosalin Hanna, Physical Activity Specialist
Making sure physical activity is a part of your
schedule is the only way to make sure it is a
part of your day.
This year, the Health Council will offer three
tools to support people to be motivated daily:
1) the 2009 Wellness Diary; 2) a downloadable
diary file that can be personalized by the
community; and 3) MS Outlook health tips and
prompts.
The 2009 / 2010 Health and Wellness diary
has been improved to better meet community
needs. It will be available April 1 st , 2009 for
communities to start recording their steps,
their minutes of activity, and to set physical
activity goals. We will also have an online file
copy available for communities to utilize to
develop and personalize their own calendars.
To order a wellness diary email: info@fnhc.ca
The other new and exciting addition to our
calendar production is the development of a
file that can be downloaded in Outlook to offer
daily tips or prompts related to physical activity,
nutrition and traditional wellness. This
will be a great way to remind those people
tethered to blackberries to make health and
wellness a part of their daily schedule.
To date the Fitness Knowledge course has
been a great success. Six students from various
locations are committed to completing
the course by March 3 rd in Prince Rupert. They
have been. I am proud of each of them for
communicating where they are at and at what
type of help they need to complete the course
successfully. This course builds knowledgeable
fitness leaders for our communities,
which then builds our capacity to develop
more ways to prevent disease through physical
activity.
I look forward to presenting on March 18th
at Gathering Our Voices on “Enviro-Active : A
Discussion on Be Physically Active by Restoring
Our Land”. I will also be present on March
10th at the BC Aboriginal Diabetes Conference
on “Pedometer Challenge- Using them to your
Benefit”. Keep health and stay active!
All my Relations,
Dr. Rosalin Hanna, phact@fnhc.ca
Visit the FNHC website for resources to support your community with physical activity initiatives:
http://www.fnhc.ca/index.php/initiatives/community_health/physical_activity/
Mary’s NIHB Corner
Ambulance services (billing process)
It is a little known fact that Status Card
information can and should be presented
upfront for billing purposes when acessing
ambulance services. In the midst of a
medical emergency, payment becomes less
of a priority than the health, safety and well
being of the patient.
In the event that the Status Card is not
presented to the paramedics, an ambulance
bill will be sent to the patient who received
care. It is imperative that the bills be dealt
with as soon as possible to avoid future
problems such as accumulating interest
charges and additional collection efforts.
Ultimately, the debt can impact the
patient’s wages, bank account, and delay
processing income tax refunds and GST
credit.
To resolve billing issues contact:
Revenue Canada
Call toll free at 1.866.361.5050 and provide
your account number, legal name as it
appears on your BC Care Card and Status
Number.
Non- Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)
Call toll free at 1.800.317.7878 and listen to
the prompts for Ambulance Services
Mary Knox-Guimont
Health Benefits Policy Analyst
1-866-417-1139
mguimont@fnhc.ca
Allison Ducharme
Health Advocate
Toll Free: 1-866-913-0033
aducharme@fnch.ca

First Nations Health Council | March 2009 Infobulletin | page 6
NEWS IN BRIEF
Youth Suicide Prevention Camps
Action Item 9 of the Transformative Change
Accord First Nations Health Plan states:
The First Nations Leadership Council and
the province will host a forum for all health
authorities (Aboriginal Health Leads and
Executive members) and First Nations
Elders and youth to support and encourage
learning about First Nations’ heritage,
cultures and spirituality, and to develop
models for youth suicide prevention.
In partnership with Regional Health
Authorities, and FNHC, First Nations
communities will host regional youth suicide
prevention camps.
The focus of these camps will be addressing
high risk youth suicide prevention. Camp
objectives include:
1) The development of Promising Practices
in youth suicide prevention. One camp
from each HA region will be highlighted
as a Promising Practice at the Provincial
Youth Suicide Prevention forum (2009).
2) To build a foundation for First Nations
youth to become our next leaders.
The deadline for applications to host
camps was Feb. 27, 2009. Partnership
and collaboration between First Nations
communities was highly encouraged in the
development of these camps.
Youth Suicide Prevention Camps must be
completed by July 31st, 2009.
Vision Screening Training
Action Item 10 of the Transformative Change
Accord First Nations Health Plan states:
Aboriginal children under age six (on and
off-reserve) will receive hearing, dental and
vision screening.
The first round of vision screening training
was successfully completed November 4th,
2008. The second round of will be conducted
by Dr. Barry Lester, April 2nd in Vancouver.
After the training session, community
representatives will:
• Have a clear understanding of eye
anatomy
• Understand refractive errors and visual
acuities and the role they play in vision
screening
• Understand vision irregularities that are
relevant to the screening program
• Have a general understanding of
screening tools and how they are relevant
to the screening program
• Be confident in starting the second phase
of the vision screening training which
includes review of the
• provincial vision screening manual and
conducting vision screening on preschool
children
• Be comfortable in proceeding with the
objectives of the BC Provincial vision
screening manual
You’re Invited
Aboriginal Vision Screening
Training
April 2nd, 2009
Vancouver, BC
Space is limited, so please submit your
name to Marilyn Ota:
mota@fnhc.ca or 604.913.2080
DEADLINE TO APPLY: Friday March 23, 2009
Health Directors Association
The Tripartite First Nations Health Plan
states:
An association of health directors and other
health professionals will create and implement
a comprehensive capacity development
plan for the management and delivery
of community-based services and support
First Nations and their mandated health
organizations in training, program development
and knowledge transfer.
Toward the fulfillment of this action item,
and building upon the work of BC First Nations
Health Directors conducted in September
2008:
1. A Health Directors Coordinator is in the
process of being hired.
2. The 2008 Health Directors Forum
summary report will be available in late
March.
3. Day three of the Gathering Wisdom
Forum in May has been set aside to
continue working with Health Directors.
For more information on the Health Directors
Association please visit: http://www.fnhc.ca/
index.php/community_engagement/health_directors_association/
Call for Participants
Maternal and Child Health Expert Working Group
Deadline: March 23, 2009
FNHC is seeking First Nations experts in
Maternal and Child Health from the Northern,
Interior, Vancouver Coastal and Fraser health
authority regions to join our Provincial
Committee.
If you are interested in joining this expert
working group, please send a resume and cover
letter describing why you would like to be
involved.
For more information please contact Marilyn Ota
604.913.2080 / mota@fnhc.ca

First Nations Health Council | March 2009 Infobulletin | page 7
Health Governance Update
Submitted by: Grand Chief Doug Kelly, Grand
Chief Ed John, and Chief Wayne Christian,
First Nations Interim Health Governance
Committee Co-Chairs
BACKGROUND: The Regional Caucus Sessions
serve to establish meaningful dialogue
with BC First Nations Leadership and Senior
Health Leads.
Session participants examined the development
of a caucus within each of the North,
Interior, Fraser, Vancouver Coastal, and Vancouver
Island regions. They considered the
selection of members for the First Nations
Interim Health Governance Committee, and
each caucus determined how to communicate
and work together.
First Nations are working together to
consider a negotiations mandate for the
Committee to develop a governance
framework, as detailed in the Tripartite
First Nations Health Plan. This framework
is critical to the overall success of the First
Nations Health Council, the Association of
Health Directors, and the Provincial Advisory
Committee on First Nations Health.
CURRENT STATUS: In each region participants
engaged in two days of dialogue and
considered a community process to move
forward. Key outcomes were:
--------------------------------------------------------
NORTH
Prince George (Oct 22/23, 2008),
Terrace (Oct 27/28, 2008),
Vancouver (Nov 24/25, 2008)
Prince George (Jan 15/16, 2009)
Participants confirmed their Northern
members to the First Nations Interim Health
Governance Committee with Band Council
Resolutions by January 23, 2008 at 5 pm.
o Northwest: (Far North) Feddie Louie,
(North Coast) Chief Willard Wilson, (Central
Northwest) Chief Marjorie McRae
o Northern Interior: Warner Adam, Justa
Monk and Anne Marie Sam
o Northeast/ Treaty 8: Dorris Ronnenberg
They also considered a North-specific Health
Coordinator and Secretary/Support Staff
and created an Interim Working Committee
to develop a Northern Region Caucus draft
model by February 2009 to advise on Servicing,
Delivery and Programming.
Participants agreed to a Northern Region
Caucus Meeting to introduce the Northern
Region Committee members and to review
the draft model of the Northern Region Caucus
on March 26-27, 2009 in Prince George.
--------------------------------------------------------
INTERIOR
Kamloops (Oct 14/15, 2008),
Kamloops (Nov 20, 2008),
Kamloops (Jan 22/23, 2009)
Chief Shane Gottfriedson and Chief Joe Dennis
have been confirmed as members for the
Committee at a follow-up meeting on January
15 and 16, 2009 in Kamloops.
Participants held group discussions on the
Interior Caucus structure and committed
to bring the information back to their own
communities and schedule another followup
meeting to discuss and/or confirm the
Interior Caucus structure, and any other
nominations for representatives for the First
Nations Interim Health Governance Committee.
They are considering a tribal grouping
approach for the Interior Caucus structure.
They also discussed tentative dates for the
next Interior Region Caucus Meeting in Merritt,
BC on Feb 19/20, March 18/19, March
19/20 and March 24/25.
--------------------------------------------------------
Vancouver Island
Nanaimo (17/18, 2008),
Duncan (Dec 11, 2008)
Campbell River (Dec 12, 2008),
Port Alberni (Dec 16, 2008)
Each nation, the Nuuchahnulth, the Coast
Salish, and the Kwakiutl determined to meet
with their respective nations in December
2008 and January 2009.
Duncan, (Dec 11, 2008) Participants determined
that one member per nation for the
Committee would an acceptable minimum
for the Vancouver Island Region for a
potential total of three. They considered a
Health Coordinator to provide support to
the Vancouver Island Region Caucus and the
Vancouver Island Region members of the
Committee.
Campbell River, (Dec 12, 2008) - Participants
agreed to meet with the other two nations
in March 2009.
Port Alberni, (Dec 16, 2008) – Nuuchahnulth
met and discussed the role of the Committee
and forwarded recommendations to the
NTC Board of Directors.
The three Nations of the Coast Salish, the
Kwakiutl, and the Nuuchahnulth have
agreed to a follow-up meeting on March
11/12/13, 2009 to determine and confirm
members for Committee and to establish a
Vancouver Island Regional Caucus.
--------------------------------------------------------
FRASER
Chilliwack (Nov 4/5, 2008)
Participants determined to select one
member for the Committee and established
a Selection Committee. Nominations were
put forward from each sub-region within the
Fraser in December 2008 and January 2009.
The Selection Committee will determine a
member for the Committee by March 2009.
--------------------------------------------------------
Vancouver Coastal
Vancouver (Nov 12/13, 2008),
Vancouver (Nov 25, 2008)
Participants determined two members to
the Committee at a follow-up meeting on
November 25, 2008. Charles Nelson has
been confirmed as a member to the Committee
and the second member has yet to
be determined.
If you have any questions or require further
information please contact:
Derek Thompson,
Health Governance Coordinator at
604.913.2080 or DThompson@fnhc.ca.

First Nations Health Council | March 2009 Infobulletin | page 8
Increasing Food Security-Food Skills for Families
Food Security in BC First
Nations
A community enjoys food
security when all people at all
times have access to nutritious,
safe, personally acceptable and
culturally appropriate foods,
which are gathered, hunted,
fished and produced in ways
that are environmentally sound
and socially just.
First Nations often look at
food security differently as we
consider factors that are unique
to us such as geographic isolation,
high food costs, poverty
and preference or reliance on
traditional foods as well as the
responsibility as stewards of the
lands and water which support
our access to food.
The gathering of health statistics
and information is starting to
quantify the disproportionate
degree of food insecurity in our
communities.
A recent national
health survey reported
that 1 in 3 off-reserve
aboriginal households
were experiencing
food insecurity and
that just under half of
these households were
also the homes of
children.
In community we know this to
be true when we have had to
provide a breakfast, snack or
lunch for children who have arrived
at school without food, as
well as other examples.
Gathering Wisdom 2008 identified
many actions that we could
take to improve First Nation
peoples’ access to healthy
(L-R) Suzanne
Johnson (FNHC);
Brenda Wilson
(Office of
Wetsuweten);
Sandra Dryden
(Revelstoke);
Sandy Terbasket
(LSIB/OFC);
Lana Lamb
(School District
67 - Penticton);
Shannon Sollows
(Ktunaxa
Kinbasket)
foods. One action directed
towards increasing knowledge
involved the concept of peers
teaching peers. This year the
Canadian Diabetes Association
has rolled out an innovative
program that meets this action
and the FNHC and Aboriginal
Diabetes Initiative (FNIH) has
had the opportunity to increase
access to this program in First
Nations communities.
Food Skills For Families
Training In First Nations
Communities
Cooking healthy food at home
that is tasty and appealing is not
always easy.
Food Skills for Families is a new
and exciting initiative that has
the recipe for success. Food
Skills for Families is being led by
the Canadian Diabetes Association
(CDA) and is one of the
Healthy Eating Strategies supported
by the BC Healthy Living
Alliance (BCHLA) with funding
from the Ministry of Health.
The First Nations Health Council
and the Aboriginal Diabetes
Initiative (FNIH) have had the
opportunity to partner with the
Canadian Diabetes Association
to make the training for this
program available to more First
Nations communities. In the
past 6 months First Nations
trainings have include participants
from Alexis Creek, Lillooet,
Ktunaxa Kinbasket, Ooknakane
Friendship Centre, School District
67 (Penticton), Office of the
Wet’suwet’en, Quatsino, Fort
Rupert, Gwa’Sala-’Naxwaxda’xw,
Whe-la-la-U, and Alert Bay.
Several other nations have been
involved in training through the
Canadian Diabetes Association.
Participants gained core cooking
and nutrition skills to facilitate a
once weekly, six week program
in their respective communities.
The program includes recipes
and resources that have been
designed to meet the needs of
Aboriginal and low income families
giving a ‘hands-on’ cooking
experience.
“Every one of us
learned so much and
had a really great time.
We really enjoyed the
opportunity to get to
know one another and
see the possibilities of
working together to
make things happen.”
“Karen was a wonderfully
knowledgeable lady who taught
us all so much with her great
facilitation skills. I am looking
forward to facilitating the Food
Skills for Families program in my
region! Again, on behalf of everyone
that participated, thank
you. Your organization made it
possible for community members
to get the skills necessary
to build community capacity! “
Gilakas’la,
Sharon Gordon Community
Development Leader Vancouver
Island North

First Nations Health Council | March 2009 Infobulletin | page 9
First Nations Research and Data
First Nations Regional Health
Survey (RHS)
PHASE 2: 2008-09 “NOW IN BC FIRST
NATIONS COMMUNITIES”
The FIRST NATIONS REGIONAL
LONGITUDINAL HEALTH SURVEY (RHS) is the
most complete study of First nations health
and living conditions in Canada.
The RHS survey collects data on our adult,
youth and children population in First
Nation Communities
The RHS is the only national survey owned,
controlled, and carried out by First Nations
for First nations.
We are currently conducting Data collector
interviews in communities that participated
in Phase 1: 2002-02 of the RHS . Data
collection training sessions have been
held in Vancouver Coastal and Vancouver
Island regions. The data collectors at these
sessions have returned to their home
communities and are now beginning to
conduct surveys. We are now seeing data
collection results coming in.
The RHS team is preparing for data
collection training sessions for the Northern,
Interior and Fraser Regions. Once the
returning communities from the 2002-
03 RHS communities data collection is
underway ata collection with an additional
38 NEW communities will begin.
The RHS will provide a snapshot of health
and living conditions in our communities
such as housing, employment, income,
education, community development and
effects of residential schools.
First Nations Health Council
Research Analyst
Research & Data Analyst
RHS 2002/03 RHS data, and be writing
reports for the Province of BC, and the
following health authorities – Vancouver
Coastal, Vancouver Island, Interior Health
and Northern Health. This project will be
completed by the end of March 2009. To
follow up the reports, presentations will be
made to the communities within the four
Health Authorities. If you have any thoughts
on the kind of research or data tools that
are needed in your communities let us begin
the dialogue.
Tripartite Data quality and sharing
agreement
The purpose of this agreement is to establish
a protocol through which the Government of
Canada, the Government of British Columbia
Heather Morin, Research Analyst
Heather Morin is a Cree woman from Saddle Lake, Alberta,
happily married to her husband Jerry. Heather continually
practices her traditions and helps to instill them in her
children, Kyle and Robyn, and her grandson, Sincere.
In 1996, she received a History degree from the University
of Regina, and then earned a Bachelor of Education –
Elementary (Indian Education) from the Saskatchewan
Indian Federated College in 1999. Her previous work
includes representing Aboriginal students at the postsecondary
level, as well as teaching.
Heather has worked for both the Aboriginal Education
Enhancements Branch Ministry of Education and the
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations as a Senior Policy Advisor.
To her current role at the Health Council Heather brings
a love of data and research to ensure that First Nations
are well equipped with the knowledge they need to move
forward in a healthy way.
and the First Nations Leadership Council can
share, develop and promote culturally appropriate
usage of the data required for the
monitoring of First Nations health.
Once established, this protocol will provide
an essential foundation for the development
of First Nations health information.
The implementation of this agreement will
be based on principles outlined in the Tripartite
First Nations Health Plan:
(1) respect and recognition;
(2) commitment to action;
(3) nurture the relationship; and
(4) transparency.
The Tripartite Data Quality and Sharing
Agreement (TDQSA) is currently undergoing
a final legal review.
Heather Morin was hired in December of
2008 in the position of Research Analyst.
The research analyst is currently assisting
the RHS team with recruiting the New
Sample of First Nations communities to
participate in the RHS for 2008/09. The
Research Analyst is working on correlating
the 2002/03 Ecological data with the
For more information on Research and Data please contact:
David Clellamin, BSW
FN RHS Coordinator
dclellamin@fnhc.ca
Amanda Williams
Assistant RHS Coordinator
awilliams@fnhc.ca
Heather Morin
Research Analyst
hmorin@fnhc.ca

First Nations Health Council | March 2009 Infobulletin | page 10
Technology & Data Management
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
In the last Bulletin we explored how information
management is a central function of
e-Health. That is, that e-Health is ultimately
about improving health through enabling
improved information management and
communications in health services. Ideally,
e-Health can assist First Nation Health Centres
in their effort to provide quality service
to their members and service population.
What are the information management
needs of First Nations Health Centres across
the province? Who defines or gives voice to
these requirements?
HUMAN RESOURCES
Readers of this Bulletin may be involved
either directly or indirectly in the delivery,
management or governance of First
Nations community health services, and
will therefore know that one of the biggest
challenges is simply not having the human
resource capacity to answer these questions
fully let alone develop strategies to meet
these needs. How many health centres have
staff devoted to information management
for their organizations? Not very many.
REPORTING CHALLENGES
The other challenge is that currently
most information management needs at
the health centre level are driven by the
funder’s reporting requirements. Reporting
requirements, both to community and
to funders, is an important aspect of the
information management needs of a health
centre. However, the danger lies in the
historical tendency where reporting requirements
blur the distinction between information
needed for accountability and health
information needed for quality service and
planning.
COLLABORATION
Collective work and collaboration has to be
undertaken to better understand and map
Photo courtesy Seabird Island Health Services
What are the information management
needs of First Nations Health Centres
across the province? Who defines or gives
voice to these requirements?
out the range of information management
needs of Health Centres in First Nations
across the province. As these requirements
become better understood and documented,
the potential of e-Health to provide
meaningful solutions in this respect will
greatly increase.
The First Nations Health Council is committed
to leveraging First Nations, provincial
and federal capacity and expertise to
advance this agenda. Together we can
more effectively meet our shared interest
in ensuring Health Centres have access to
information management tools that meet
their unique needs.
Foundational steps in this effort are the
creation of a Tripartite Strategy Council for
First Nations e-Health, a Tripartite Technical
Working Group for First Nations e-Health,
and a First Nations e-Health Centre of Excellence.
While all three are in the very early
stages of formation, ultimately the processes
and forums they enable will greatly assist
Health Centres in having access to tools that
will work for them.
For more information on e-Health contact:
Mark Sommerfeld - msommerfeld@fnhc.ca

First Nations Health Council | March 2009 Infobulletin | page 11
III
9
MAY 19-21, 2009 | 9 A.M. - 5 P.M. | MARRIOTT PINNACLE DOWNTOWN
Registration information will be sent
soon, so please save these dates!
By attending Gathering Wisdom III, you will have
the chance to:
• Participate in a continued conversation
among First Nations and stakeholders to
ensure that the Tripartite First Nations
Health Plan is responsive to changing needs.
• Recieve Tripartite updates on Health Actions
from First Nations Health Council, Health
Canada (FNIH), Ministry of Health Services,
and Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport.
• Participate in Health Governance discussions.
• Network, liaise and contribute to the
creation of a BC First Nations Health
Directors Association.
DAY 1- Health Governance
BC First Nations Health
Governance discussion.
DAY 2- Health Actions
Tripartite updates on Health
Initiatives under the Tripartite
Health Plan.
DAY 3 - Health Directors
BC First Nations Health
Directors and managers will
come together to continue
work on the creation of a
BC First Nations Health
Directors Association.
Contact: info@fnhc.ca | Website: www.fnhc.ca
This three-day forum will be informative and engaging. We hope you take the
opportunity to attend. Additional information about the forum can be found on
the First Nations Health Council website at: www.fnhc.ca

F i r s t N a t i o n s H e a lt h C o u n c i l
| Spring 2009 Update |
Community Engagement
Community Developer Liaison- Interior Health
The Community Developer Liaison position
with Interior Health Authority was established
in September 2008. The purpose of
this position is to provide a wide range of
community and organizational development
skills to assist First Nations either independent
or in a community engagement hub
to plan, collaborate and communicate with
FNHC. As well the Community Developer
will assist First Nation communities in the
development of community health plans
and work plans.
The Community Developer Liaison will also
act as a liaison between Interior Health, First
Nations and First Nations Health Council.
UPDATE
In five short months, the Community Developer
Liaision (CDL) has been engaged in the
following work:
• Present to communities regarding the
First Nations Health Council’s roles and
responsibilities in respect to the TCA:
First Nations Health Plan, and Tripartite
First Nations Health Plan. Also provide
information, encourage and support
the development of Community Engagement
Hubs.
• Worked with developing Community
Engagement Hubs by presenting at
strategic sessions and assisting in the
creation of their work plans.
• Participated in Interior Health’s development
of a Rural Health Plan. Since
First Nations communities represent
a large portion of the rural populations
the CDL will ensure that they are
engaged appropriately.
• Met with First Nations Inuit Health
regarding community health plans and
where the CDL can assist communities.
Other Activities
• Participated in Interior Health Aboriginal
Health Network staff meetings
• Represented the FNHC locally in various
community groups - Providing basic
information and contacts
• Forwarded First Nations concerns and
issues to the First Nations Health Council
or Interior Health.
Community Developer Liaision
Interior Health Region
Mark Matthew
mmatthew@fnhc.ca
Upcoming Events
March
UVIC Aboriginal Career Fair
March 6, 2009, Victoria
BC Aboriginal Youth Conference
March 17-20, 2009, Kelowna
April
Interior Region Caucus Meeting
April 8-9, 2008, Williams Lake
Heritage Woods Secondary Health
Career Presentation
April 2, 2009, Port Moody
May
Gathering Wisdom III
May 19-21st, 2009
Marriott Pinnacle
Visit us online at: www.fnhc.ca
Interested in becoming a Community Engagement hub?
How do we get involved?
> Step 1: Submit your letter of intent to
become a hub, include a list of communities
who will be a part of your hub.
> Step 2: Attend a training session with
the First Nations Health Council. Receive
development dollars for your work
planning process.
> Step 3: Submit your work plan to the
First Nations Health Council for approval.
> Step 4: Receive funds to carry out work plan.
To find out more about Community
Engagement hubs connect with our
regional representatives:
Interior > Mark Matthew
mmatthew@fnhc.ca
Northern > Victoria Russell
vrussell@fnhc.ca
Vancouver, Vancouver Island &
Fraser > Marilyn Ota
mota@fnhc.ca
Or visit our website: www.fnhc.ca
Contact Us
This infobulletin is a publication of the First
Nations Health Council. All rights reserved.
First Nations Health Council
1205-100 Park Royal South
WEst VAncouver, BC
V7t 1a2
telephone: (604) 913.2080
info@fnhc.ca
http://www.fnhc.ca