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First Nations Health Council
Healthy Living in First Nations Communities
The Firs t Nations Health Council serves as the advocacy voice of BC First Nations on health-related matters. It is comprised of representatives of the three member organizations of the First Nations Leadership Council – the First Nations Summit, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, and the BC Assembly of First Nations.
The health council is providing leadership in the implementation of the 10-year Tripartite First Nations Health Plan, ratified in 2007. The plan includes 29 action items intended to close the health gap between Aboriginal peoples and other British Columbians, including the development of a First Nations-specific ActNow BC program. You can read about the First Nations Health Plan that sets the context supporting health initiatives like Aboriginal ActNow BC. For the latest news from the First Nations Leadership Council, click here.
The First Nations ActNow BC initiative, in its role as a community-focused chronic disease prevention program, supports First Nations to increase capacity as well as control over the factors that determine the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities.
Highlights from the First Nation Health Council's current healthy living projects:
- First Nations ActNow Toolkit: community toolkits are being developed in each of the First Nations ActNow target areas (physical activity, nutrition, tobacco, mental wellness, and prenatal and maternal health). These will support educators, practitioners, community health representatives, and community members in healthy living. The First Nations Health Council has hosted workshops on the Toolkits at the Honour Your Health Challenge annual provincial training events in Vancouver. They are now ready to pilot in select First Nations communities.
- First Nations Leadership Challenge: this community-wide health challenge provides a stepping stone to get in shape, create healhty workplaces, and build healthy communities. Leaders must set and meet three health goals: a personal goal, a workplace goal, and a community goal. Open to elected Chief and council in first Nations communities, the Leadership Challenge is less about losing weight or running every day than it is about living healthy lifestyles and creating strong community environments.
- Role Models Poster Campaign: The Four Host First Nations, on whose traditional and shared territories the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter games will be held, is partnering with the First Nations Health Council in a campaign that will celebrate people for their healthy choices. In early 2009, role model nominations were submitted honoring Elers, adults, youth and children who live a healthy, balanced life; have a positive outlook; regularly take part in phyisical actvities; promote healthy lifestyles in their family and community; influence other peoples' behaviours and attitudes twoards healthy living; and have made positive changes in their health and well--being. The Health Promotion Poster Series will feature five selected role models and will be launched across the province.
- Supporting Aboriginal youth participation in sports, recreation and physical activity is a key commitment. Read about a new partnership among leading provincial organizations that is working to make youth dreams a reality in our "What's New" section of the website.
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"Our strategy is really driven by the community. We need to find the solutions ourselves, and build on the extensive knowledge we have. I am really optmistic we are in an important time of change and transformation." -- Grand Chief Ed John, First Nations Summit
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