The 2016 First Nations Health Authority Winter Wellness grants had First Nations communities, organizations and schools from across the province apply to host events or initiatives having a focus on positive change or transformation on participant's lifestyles and wellness. The events ranged in scope and size but all fit into one or more of our FNHA wellness streams; Being Active, Eating Healthy, Nurturing Spirit or Respecting Tobacco. Overall, 79% of all of the events related to being active in some way or form. Popular methods of moving towards positive change included: walking, running, hiking, snowshoeing swimming, biking, skating, skiing & horseback riding.
Interior - White Buffalo Aboriginal and Métis Health Society
In all, the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) received 134 applications for the Winter Wellness grants and were able to successfully fund 126 of these applications while ensuring equity and acknowledging our diversity across the province. Regionally the North had 36 events funded; the Interior 33, Vancouver Island with 27 and Vancouver Coastal and the Fraser region both had 15 events respectively. Eating Healthy was well represented with 69% of the initiatives and events focused on healthy & traditional foods. Events proved that food not only nourishes the physical body but also the spirit when consumed in social and community settings. Lessons and knowledge were carried forward by the elders showing the next generations processes for hunting, preparing, storing and eating traditional foods.
Vancouver Island - Songhees Nation
62% of applicants weaved the FNHA Wellness Stream, Nurturing Spirit, throughout the initiatives and events this past winter. During this cold time of the year, spirits in the community were kept warm with cultural practices and traditional teachings. These teachings moved the knowledge throughout the community from our Elders all the way down to our babies, and back up again. The Winter Wellness grants also helped focus some applicants on Respecting Tobacco, with 17% of the events and initiatives incorporating challenges and teachings in their activities. For some this meant trying to quit smoking and for others this was using tobacco traditionally and safely as a medicine.
Closing reports continue to be received from communities that hosted events and initiatives. Those received thus far have been detailed with fantastic and colourful photos. We look forward to continuing sharing them with you over the next few months through these e-blasts. Our next granting opportunity for communities, organizations and First Nations schools will be for the June 21st National Aboriginal Day events, this application will launch April 1st so stay posted to www.fnha.ca for this release.
