The First Nations Health Authority envisions healthy, self-determining and vibrant BC First Nations children, families and communities playing an active role in decision-making regarding their personal and collective wellness. In line with Directive 1 - Community-Driven, Nation-Based, the FNHA is encouraging First Nations to create their own health event or initiative!
The 2015-16 theme is around new year's resolutions. What is your community or individual resolution this year? Wellness events and initiatives should include a change-focused/ transformational aspect participants can implement in their lifestyles or communities for the rest of the year. The FNHA wants Winter Wellness events to encourage and sustain wellness in individuals, families, and communities throughout the year – see some examples below.
Samples of FNHA Wellness Streamed initiatives and events:
1. Nurturing Spirit: Organize a Volunteer week! Have registered participants commit to a certain amount of hours to volunteer in the community during a week in January and celebrate the good work and feelings spread across the community by having a community meal and circle to share your experiences throughout the week.
2. Respecting Tobacco: This could range from abstinence to harm reduction to respective tobacco use. Community members pledge to go 48 hours smoke-free, as a group or through the FNHA Tobacco Timeout initiative (
www.quitnow.ca/contest/tobaccotimeout). A 5 km walk can be held and at the end of the walk the community members who have gone smoke free will be acknowledged and rewarded. Tobacco pouches could be made and handed out and the conclusion of the initiative.
3. Being Active: A Snowy 5K - Snowshoe, ski, sled, walk, Spirit pole! Don’t let the snow outside stop you! Organizing a 5K through the winter weather can be a great way to promote continuous physical activity through our winter months. Prepare a nice hot community meal at the finish line.
4. Eating Healthy: Having an Elder provide information to youth on how our relatives ate and prepared food during the month through an interactive event. Provide youth with food and resources so they can follow along with the teaching!
Check back on this page for more info and listings of the events!
