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July 18, 2010 - AFN Nationial Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, together with AFN Youth Council Chair Joshua Gottfriedson and Olympian Waneek Horn Miller, launched an initiative today to support and enhance opportunities for Indigenous peoples and communities through active lifestyles, sport and fitness. 

"Through IndigenACTION, we will harness the spirit of the recent Olympic Games, where Indigenous nations, Canadians and the world came together to celebrate our cultures, sport and competitition," said National Chief Shawn Atleo. 

AFN will facilitate the development of a national strategy to support new and existing initiatives focused on young Indigenous athletes, as well as on fitness and well-being in Indigenous communities.  Read more.

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2011 North American Indigenous Games Cancelled -

BC Aboriginal Partners Council vows to find alternatives to support young Aboriginal athletes

July 5, 2010 - The Aboriginal Sports, Recreation and Physical Activity Partners Council in B.C. is reacting to the cancellation of the 2011 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) by vowing to find alternatives.

The games were to be hosted in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in July of next year.  However, an emergency meeting of the NAIG council was held June 29 after the organization that had been hired through an international bid process withdrew from the task of organizing the event. 

Rick Brant, Director of the Partners Council, said young BC Aboriginal athletes  were looking forward to the opportunity to try out and compete for Team BC at the 2011 Games, and echoed the concern of the NAIG council that the cancellation will cause "distress among Indigenous youth and communities across Canada and the United States."  

"While the news of 2011 NAIG's cancellation deeply troubles everyone involved, it has not altered our resolve to advance the Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Strategy, which includes the creation of new competitive opportunities for Aboriginal youth across B.C."

He said committees will be established to oversee provincial championships in each of the 15 NAIG sports, and that "everyone remains committed" to supporting Aboriginal Provincial Championships.

The BC Partners Council is comprised of the First Nations Health Council, the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, and Métis Nation BC.

For more information, contact:

Rick Brant, Director,
Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Partners Council
250-710-4604
rbrant@bcaafc.com

• View press release here.
• Read news story (Canada.com) here. 

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An Information Bulletin from the Tripartite Strategy Council for First Nations eHealth

The Tripartite Strategy Council for First Nations eHealth was established in 2008/09 as a forum to ensure the success of the First Nations, Federal and Provincial partners in their efforts to develop eHealth capacity and infrastructure in First Nations health services. The Tripartite Strategy Council is currently developing an eHealth Strategic Plan that will help frame our collective efforts to support integrated and culturally appropriate First Nations eHealth.  To read more click here.

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Metis Nation of Greater Victoria Hosts First Metis Wellness Day Event - Jan 23, 2010

The Metis Nation of Greater Victoria will host its first Metis Wellness Day for the Metis people and friends of the Metis in Greater Victoria.  The Metis Wellness Day will include workshops such as "Healthy Choices for Well-Being: Breast and Cervical Health", "Mental Health & Addictions", "Baby's Own Bed", "You and Your Medications" and "Food & Vitamin D for You and Your Family".  The Metis Wellness Day is open to everyone and promises to be informative, community minded and fun with prizes and snacks.  For more information click here.

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IMAGINE -- HEALTHY NORTHERN COMMUNITIES GRANTS

Northern Health offers a number of small grants to support community organizations in their work of promoting healthy citizens and healthy communities.

If you are a community group or organization within the Northern Health region with an idea that fits into the IMAGINE Grants criteria, you are eligible to apply.  For more information click here. 

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LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IN BC CAN'T AFFORD HEALTHY FOOD

The cost of Eating in BC 2009 by the Dietitians of Canada and the Community Nutritionists Council of BC demonstrates that it is impossible for families or individuals on income assistance or earning a low wage to afford enough healthy food.  While shelter and food costs have risen significantly over the past decade, income assistance rates and minimum wage have remained virtually unchanged.  To read the full media release click here.  To read the media backgrounder "Low-income families can't afford healthy food - The cost of Eating in BC 2009" click here.

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2010 HYHC SUN RUN GROUP LEADER / LEADER TRAINING

Applications are being accepted for the upcoming 2010 HYHC Sun Run Group Leader / Leader Training in preparation for the 2010 HYHC Sun Run InTraining Program, the 13-week walk/run training program designed to prepare individuals to complete a 10K distance!

The deadline for applications is December 14, 2009.

If you are interested in becoming an HYHC Sun Run InTraining Group leader click here.  Visit the SportMedBC website for more information.

Download the guidelines and application forms here:

• 2010 Leader Guidelines
• 2010 Leader Application
• HYHC Hearts in Training FAQ's
• HYHC Hearts in Training Application

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WHO Report: The Case of ActNow BC - Mobilizing Intersectoral Action to Promote Health

British Columibans are among the healthiest people in Canada.  The population has the lowest standardized mortality rates due to choronic disease compared to people in the other provinces and territories in the country.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a high proportion of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes and an estimated 40% of cancers could be avoided if common lifestyle risk factors like smoking, physical inactivity, unhealthy eating, obesity and alcohold misuse were eliminated.

This report presents the intersectoral and integrated approach to health promotion launched in 2005 in BC, an initiative called ActNow BC.  To download the full report click here.

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Gathering Our Voices 2010 Aboriginal Youth Conference
"Our Health and Our Environment"

The BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres is excited to announce the 8th Annual Provincial Aboriginal Youth Conference, Gathering Our Voices, will take place March 10 - 13th, 2010 in Vancouver, BC.

This year the chosen theme is "Our Health and Our Environment", and is reflected in 30+ workships, a 50- booth Health and Environment Fair, Cultural and Recreational Activities, Evening Events and Motivational Speakers.  For more information click here.

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Past Events 

More than 350 Participants Take Up Health Challenge Training
 

BC Government announces funding increase in support of the Honour Your Health Challenge

October 21, 2008 - The BC government announced today it is almost doubling funding to  $1.4 million in support of Aboriginal ActNow and the Honour Your Health Challenge program in recognition of its positive impact on the health of BC's Aboriginal peoples.

An estimated 350 Aboriginal participants from across the province who are interested in improving their health and the health of their communities gathered in Vancouver this week for the annual HYHC traning event.  Representatives from First Nations communities and urban Aborgiinal organizations learned about nutrition, physical activity and tobacco cessation with the goal of taking their knowledge home to launch programs in their home communities. 

Honour Your Health Challenge participants help inspire others to quit smoking, take up walking or biking, eat healthy foods, and even join the Vancouver Sun Run, Canada's largest 10-kilometre race that for the third year became a major focus of the HYHC program. Together, the HYHC team formed the largest contingent in last year's race, crossing the finish line in fifth place overall.

To read the BC Government press release on the Aboriginal ActNow funding increase, click here. 

One Step at a Time
Paddling, Jigging, Rediscovering Roots: Métis Nation BC Releases Aboriginal ActNow Video

When Kim Patten in Terrace B.C. heard about the invitation for Métis people to launch an Aboriginal ActNow healthy living activity, she decided that walking one step at a time from "Greece to Vancouver" in honour of the 2010 Olympics would be inspiring. After she received 100 donated pedometres, the torch was lit to encourage others to join in. 

"I'm amazed at the participation!"  she says in a newly completed DVD that captures the fun and self-discovery of joining in Métis ActNow projects launched in communities from Terrace to Briscoe and from Cowichan to Abbotsford.   Many locals were introduced not only to good exercise, but also to their Métis roots and to other members of  Métis society.  For some, it was a great chance to shift from political concerns to embracing the social and cultural side of being Métis.

The video "One Step at a Time: Making Strides to Better Health" highlights some of the 37 Aboriginal ActNow projects initiated by members of Métis communities throughout the province.

"I absolutely believe that because it is a community-driven process...people want to come out and learn more," said Tanya Davoren, MNBC Director of Health.  She said many locals were exposed to cultural activities, such as traditional trapping, beading, and jigging, and were pleased to see knowledge shared between Elders and youth.

Métis people in BC number more than 59,000, and make up 30 per cent of BC's total Aboriginal population.  They have a unique tradition and culture, but they also experience health disparities in comparison with the non-Aboriginal population in B.C. 

For a Métis community member from Briscoe, joining a hike organized by the Columbia River Métis Nations made her feel at home.  "I haven't had too much of a cultural background and this has been an eye-opener," she said.  She not only hiked in the mountains near Briscoe but was also treated to a demonstration of traditional trapping techniques.

Taking part in the 8-day canoe "Tribal Journey" from Campbell River to Cowichan in honour of the North American Indian Games this past August 3-10 proved a life-changing experience for some.  Métis from Cowichan Valley and from Langley decided to take on the challenge and even made their own paddles as they paid homage to the Voyageur heritage of their forbears.

The biggest project involved 35 youth in an outdoor wellness gathering at Scouts Canada Camp Dunlop near Kelowna, where they jigged, played drums, explored botany and played beach volleyball.  'Everybody was mingling with each other...Many commented on how accepted they felt.  We hope the youth can go back to their own communities and be leaders now," said Tresley Tourand, MNBC Health Policy Analyst.

The DVD will be shown around the province with the goal not only of inspiring long term commitment to healthy living but to stronger cultural connection. The video was produced by AMJ Productions, Vancouver, funded by BC Initiatives for Aboriginal Health, and is available by contacting Métis Nation BC.

Honouring the Voices of Youth
Youth Declaration on Sports and Recreation Gains Momentum

Aboriginal Youth who gathered in Victoria for the Gathering Our Voices Conference in March 2008, decided something had to be done to support sports and recreation in their communities, no matter where in B.C. they might live.

They issued a Provincial Youth Declaration on Aboriginal Sport and Recreation that's inspiring organizations, government ministers and First Nations leaders to answer their call.

A new partnership among the BC Association of Friendship Centres, the Métis Nation BC, the BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society, the Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Association, the First Nations Health Council, and the National Collaborating Centre's BC Initatives for Aboriginal Health at the University of Northern BC, has since taken up the call to action. 

This working group created an Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Partners Council to develop a framework for sustainable programs and policy change.

The North American Indigenous Games in Cowichan BC in August provided a key opportunity to get the message out.  More than 4500 athletes from all over North America gathered in the Cowichan Valley in August for the largest event of its kind on the continent. At the same time, an unprecedented 120 Aboriginal leaders witnessed and fully endorsed, on August 2, 2008, the council's proposed new strategy for Aboriginal sport, recreation and physical activity. The leadership also called for funding from BC and Canada to help build a stronger foundation for Aboriginal sport and recreation in B.C.

Along with Michael de Jong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations & Reconciliation, and National Chief Phil Fontaine of the Assembly of First Nations, the Leaders conducted a traditional commitment ceremony and signed a Ceremonial Drum that fully endorsed the proposed Five Pillars provincial strategy.

This strategy centres on the "Five Pillars Document" that will help transform youth aspirations into reality.  The "Five Pillars" documents sets out goals related to:

Also in Aboriginal Sports, Recreation and Physical Activity:

• Read Sport Canada's Policy on Aboriginal Peoples' Participation in Sport and link to The Aboriginal Sport Circle -- Canada’s national voice for Aboriginal sport -- for information on sports and recreation related news.    

Improving First Nations Health in B.C.
Global Recognition for First Nations Health Plan 

The World Health Organization highlighted the B.C. Tripartite First Nations Health Plan as a leading model of an Indigenous-led approach to improving health equity in its newly released final report on global health.

The report, "Closing the Health Gap in a Generation:Health Equity through Action on the Social Determinants of Health" was released August 28, and draws attention to the unique needs and status of Indigenous peoples around the world.

Three years in the making, the report calls the Tripartite Health Plan "unprecedented" and notes that it offers a leading example of a "participatory framework" for an Indigenous-led approach to gaining health and health equity.

The agreement commits  the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, and the First Nations Leadership Council of British Columbia to work together to develop solutions in support of fundamental improvements in the health of First Nations in B.C.

To access the report of the WHO's Commission on the Social Determinants of Health, click here.