Third Edition What’s in this issue

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Transfer Date

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Feedback

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NIHB

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Regional Health Priorities

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SHC Health Priorities

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Gathering Wisdom

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Proud to Be Secwepemc

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Secwepemc Health Caucus and Interior Health Authority Letter of Understanding Signing Ceremony

A HEALTH CARE MILESTONE FOR THE SECWEPEMC NATION The Secwepemc Health Caucus and Interior Health welcome this occasion to work together on improved health programs, services and delivery for Secwepemc Nation members.

people has improved over the past few decades, health outcomes of Aboriginal populations are disproportionately lower compared to other Canadians.

Kukpi7 Wayne Christian, Caucus Chair, “This LOU with IH marks a new beginning for the Secwepemc Nation's relationship with a health care system that does not understand the full impact of their colonial policy of legal denial and the This LOU signed September 10th, 2013 residential school on our people's health is the first of its kind in Secwepemc and wellbeing. In partnership with IH the Territory and is key in the promotion of health services delivered to our people improving access to culturally appropriate will improve as we move to create a health services. It recognizes the role First higher quality of health services for our Nations Chiefs and Health Directors have people." in improving the health of Nation members in all 17 Secwepemc communities. Colleen LeBourdais, Health Director at Qwemtsin Health Society, which overThe LOU addresses relationship building, sees some of the health care services communication, service delivery, and and programs for the Tk'emlups te planning. Secwepemc, Whispering Pines, Clinton While the health status of First Nations Indian Band, and Skeetchestn Indian Band The Letter of Understanding (LOU) clearly identifies opportunities to build new initiatives and strengthen existing relationships.

All Our Relations: Healing and Healthy Together

– “This is a positive move in the right direction. We need the province and federal government to work with us if we are ever going to see an improvement in the health status of First Nations people.”

Dr. Robert Halpenny, CEO, Interior Health – “By working collaboratively with the Secwepemc and other First Nations and Aboriginal groups, we are increasing our ability to meet health needs, improve access, and increase Secwepemc involvement in health service decisions.” These are exciting times for First Nations people as they work in partnership with IH to reduce the barriers for Secwepemc Nation members as they seek better access to health care services.

First Nations Health Authority Take Control of Health Programs and Services for First Nations As of October 1, 2013 The First Nations Health Authority officially took over management on October 1, 2013 of Health Canada's First Nations Inuit Health Branch which will allow for First Nations control over the design and delivery of many of the health programs and services that serve them on a daily basis. The transfer of programs include a range of programs including; Primary care Public health benefits (NIHB—More information on the next page) Management and protection of personal information Environmental and community health Funding agreements with communities Children and youth programs (i.e.. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Aboriginal Head Start on Reserve);

All Our Relations: Healing and Healthy Together

Chronic Disease Programs and Injury Prevention Primary Care (i.e.. Community Primary Care and Nursing Services, First Nations Home and Community Care); Communicable disease control programs (i.e.. Vaccine, Immunization) Blood Borne Disease and Sexually Transmitted Infections (HIV/AIDS), Respiratory Infections (ie. Tuberculosis,) Mental Health and Addictions Programs (i.e.. NNADP) Environmental Health and Research Programs; Health Governance/Infrastructure Support (i.e. E-health solutions, Health Careers) Health facilities and capital maintenance; Youth Solvent Abuse Program, National Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention Program. Now that the health transfer has happened, the FNHA enters the Transformation stage. This stage includes the analyzing, upgrading, and re-orienting current FNIH health programs and services to better meet the needs of BC First Nations.

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IMPORTANT: Non Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) is now known as

First Nations Health Benefits (FNHB) Toll Free Number:

1-800-317-7878

Is the First Nations Health Author- Program service delivery and proity (FNHA) cesses remain the same.

to self-government agreements with Canada). Residency is defined as having an active BC Health Care taking over NIHB? Who is eligible for the FNHA card and living in BC. For those cliYes. In two phases one on July 2, Health Benefits Program? ents who premiums are paid for by 2013 Eligibility for the FNHA Health Ben- FNHA and live in BC, they will automatically be added to FNHA Eligiand as well as October 1, 2013. efits Program extends to all First bility List. What became different on July 2? Nations people that are resident of British Columbia and have a status If a non-resident First Nations perNothing changed for clients or pro- number (excluding persons who son uses health services in BC they viders on July 2, 2013. First Nareceive health benefits by way of a will continue to be covered by Health Authority Health Benefits First Nations organization pursuant Health Canada.

First Nation clients that have their MSP premiums paid by their employer or through another source, are encouraged to contact the Regional office (1.800.317.7878) to ensure they are on or added to the FNHA Eligibility List. Contact information

All Our Relations: Healing and Healthy Together

BC Region (toll free) 1.800.317.7878 Have your status card and Care Card ready Or visit the FNHA Website: www.fnha.ca

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Report on Regional Health Priorities by: Secwepemc Health Caucus Chair—Kukpi7 Wayne Christian Interim Regional Health and Wellness Plan

Kamloops Forum: November 28, 2013: Tk’emlups te Secwepemc, Whispering Pines Clinton, Skeetchestn, Bonaparte, Simpcw, High Bar,

A Key Purpose of the iRHWPs is to establish a common voice in each region and to clearly identify priorities and approaches to enhancing the First Nations health and wellness in the region.

Lakes Forum: January 2014: Splats'in, Little Shuswap Lake, Adams Lake, Neskonlith, Shuswap Band, A draft report will be compiled from these forums and submitted to the FNHA to populate the Regional MWSU plan.

iRHWPs are populated by existing community, Nation Health plans and the Regional Health Authority Aboriginal Health and Wellness plans. The Plan will include:

Partnership Accord Leadership Table (PALT)

First Nations Governance and Decision Making

Signed November 12, 2012 between Interior Region First Nations and the Interior Health Authority.

Partnerships and Collaboration Health Programs and Services

PALT will provide direction and oversee the implementation of the Partnership Accord.

Human and Economic Capacity & Cultural Competency

PALT serves as a influential forum for partnership, collaboration, and joint efforts on First Nations priorities, policies, budgets, programs and services in the Interior region.

Planning Engagement and Communications Monitoring, Evaluations & Reporting

Membership includes one member from each of the following Nations: Dakelh Dene, Ktunaxa, Secwepemc, Syilx, St'át'imc, Tsilhqot’in, Nlaka’pamux Nation.

Plan to be completed by Spring 2014

A Path Forward: BC First Nations and Aboriginal People’s Mental Wellness And Substance Use—10 year plan.

Kukpi7 Christian is our rep on the PALT

Regional Community Engagement

A plan was needed to transform systems, to improve the mental wellness outcomes and reduce substance use challenges faced by Aboriginal People.

As health conversation evolves, there will be increased emphasis on regional planning and direction. Working on developing regional team charters, offices, and regional fund-

Regional Mental Wellness Substance Use Forums are launched to collect and populated the plan based on a nation based community driven process:

ing.

Secwepemc Health Caucus—Health Jurisdiction

The Secwepemc Health Directors have established the following dates for our forums:

A letter was drafted, signed by SHC chair and sent to external organizations to inform them of the SHC health jurisdiction. This was to make sure that any health related activities could be shared with the SHC so no confusion or over-

Williams Lake Forum: September 30, 2013: Canoe Creek, Dog Creek, Williams Lake, Esketemc, Canim Lake.

lap of programs and services would exist.

All Our Relations: Healing and Healthy Together 4

Report on Nation Health Priorities by: Secwepemc Health Caucus Co-Chair—Colleen LeBourdais, Health Director QHS COMPLETED: Establish a SHC Capital Committee: Kukpi7 Gottfriedson, Kukpi7 Leon, 1 =Health Director , 2=Health Director, HUB Staff COMPLETED AND ON-GOING: Identify First Nations Healthy Role models for Health Message Promotions to list on SHC web—site: Skywe Gottfriedson currently on the site for extensive and high level sports activities. IN-PROGRESS: Use of IPad technology for meetings. Go green, go paperless. (currently Hub staff working with this technology) COMPLETED: Data Sharing Agreement. COMPLETED: Research Policy

Secwepemc Health Caucus—Strategic Plan Relationship with Interior Health Authority

ON HOLD SHC Strategic Plans

COMPLETED: Sign Letter of Understanding with Interior Health Authority: September 10th, 2013. Working on the implementation of the LOU, the attached work-plan and an effective discharge planning process.

Social Determinates of Health Traditional Medicines and Practices Wellness and Lifestyle Nutrition and Food Security

Mental Wellness Substance Use

All Our Relations: Healing and Healthy Together

IN-PROGRESS: Develop a Nation Based and Community Driven Mental Wellness Substance Use Plan: Through 3 Next Steps Regarding SHC Strategic Planseparate MWSU forums (Williams Lake, Kamloops, ning Chase) and via demographic research a draft MWSU To Hold a Nation Gathering for SHC Strategic Planning Nation plan will be developed by early Spring 2014. in 2014

Long Term Care—Elder Care

OTHER DUTIES

IN– PROGRESS: Elders Home (Interior—Kamloops and Northern—Williams Lake. Through a meeting with the Elders, direction was given to have further consultation with them as well as to get feedback via a survey. Survey is drafted and will be distributed.

Orientation of New Health Directors, Caucus members Completion of Operations Manual for SHC and Hub Governance Data & Research Forum Planning 2014 Implementation of IHA and SHC Letter of Understanding Physician Recruitment Collection of Contribution Agreements as per the Data Sharing Agreement for the purpose of a Nation Health Plan

Non-Insured Health Benefits COMPLETED: Develop a Briefing Note on NIHB issues. Completed and forwarded to the First Nations Health Directors Association and the First Nations Health Authority.

Aboriginal Self Identification Staff Evaluations and Training Relationship Building— IHA Staff

Transition to New Health Authority IN-PROGRESS: Communications Plan and Policy Drafted (up-dating information in these plans and then forward to Caucus for review and feedback) COMPLETED: SHC Newsletters, Website, Facebook Page, input in community newsletters when requested. COMPLETED: Secure and confirm same funding in contribution agreements

Development of a communications flow chart Nurse Practitioner Subsidies Communication, Participation on First Nations Health Directors Association. Discussion and concerns on the Traditional Birthing Practices

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Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey VI If You Missed Gathering Wisdom You can access information at

www.fnha.ca in the News and Events on: Forum Program FNHA Leadership Presentations Presentation descriptions and streams Photos

All Our Relations: Healing and Healthy Together

We want to hear your feedback, input, questions or concerns re: Health, Health Transfer, etc.

www.secwepemchealth.ca Your input is very important to us, if you know of anyone who expertise is within health please also direct them to our website for feedback. Kukstemc 6

Congratulations to Ryan Day of St'uxwtéws (Bonaparte), for placing 1st place in the Kamloops Marathon on July 28, 2013 "This is my traditional territory, so I've got to represent," he said. "It's like anybody on their home turf - they want to represent and be a role model for young kids out there who are running. “ "We were good runners way back, too." Ryan is also one of the Hub Coordinators for the Secwepemc Health Directors Hub/Caucus

They Called Me Number One Author Bev Sellars, Chief of Xats'ull First Nation. “ Secrets and Survival at an Indian Residential School” Still on the list of BC’s Best Sellers list. Available online for sale!

Congratulations to Interior Region Beefy Chiefs & Champions Most Weight Lost—Patrick Harry, Councillor for Stswecem'c/Xgat'tem (Canoe/Dog Creek Band) Most Inches Lost—Kukpi7 Wayne Christian, Splats'in te Secwepemc

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Honouring Esketemc UBCM (Union of British Columbia Municipalities—Canada) Excellence Award The Secwepemc Health Caucus presented a Pendleton Blanket to acknowledge and show appreciation for the hard work dedicated to the St. Josephs Mission Residential School Commemorative Project for the Truth and Reconciliation Initiative. “Reconciliation has begun and we need to keep working together to ensure the future and strength of our communities,” “This is just a start, but it is a positive and vital step in our shared journey of remembering, recovering and reconciling of our communities, to begin a NEW Legacy that will span the test of time.” Stated Kukpi7 Fred Robbins.

Councillor Pat Chelsea (accepting on behalf of Kupi7 Fred Robbins) Health Director Irene Johnson

All Our Relations: Healing and Healthy Together

For More Information on the Secwepemc Health Caucus please contact: Sanik Edwards, Hub Assistant at 250 250--314 314--6732 Or visit our website at: www.secwepemchealth.ca 8

For More Information on the First Nations Health Council please go to: www.fnhc.ca

For More Information on the First Nations Health Authority please go to : www.fnha.ca

“To live in wellness means striving to be in balance, within self (Body, Mind, Spirit and Emotions), with others (family and community), with the Spirit World and with the land (nature). If there is an imbalance in any of these areas there is stress on our overall system. In time this stress causes illness and it can be physical illness, mental / emotional illness (such as depression), or spiritual illness”. By Anonymous Quote taken from the Path Forward Document.

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