By Trevor Kehoe

For Pamela Crema, growing up with a family of those interested in health has influenced her integration of traditional and natural healing and medicines into her lifestyle and work. Her great grandmother was a traditional healer in Saulteau First Nation, her grandmother was a nurse and for Pamela, her own career in health isn't just about what takes place within the work day and health system - she says its about being there for your community and neighbours when they need it.  

"With a family lineage in traditional medicine, it's natural for me to incorporate naturopathic medicine in my daily life. When working with community I support going back to traditional medicines over western pharmaceutical," she said. "There are so many trees and plants out there that can make us well. I think we still have a ways to go before we get back to where we were but it feels like we're heading in that direction." 

Pamela is of Saulteau Cree ancestry and is the Regional Nurse Manager for the FNHA Interior Regional team. Pamela came to the FNHA after serving for six years as Regional Health Services Manager for Westbank First Nation. She supports 54 communities and seven Nations including Health Directors, nurses and nurse practitioners to identify gaps, priorities and opportunities to develop partnerships.

Regional Nurse Managers are relatively new positions but fill an important gap as the primary contact between First Nations community-based nurses in each region and FNHA central services. Remoteness and isolation can be a challenge for nurses in the field so having a network of support for crisis and other services as well for professional development and education within community is important. 

"I have an awareness of community perspective, having worked as a health manager, Nurse and Health planner for the last 10 years. I understand what nurses need and its been my role to act as a liaison or a branch between FNHA nursing services, community, and our regional team," said Crema. "There are three Regional priorities, primary care, mental wellness, and integrating traditional wellness into our health system." 

She says that having nurses involved in every aspect of decision-making that impacts their work will only make for stronger and more effective health services for First Nations communities. She also noted that nurses need to have an awareness of cultural competency in their role, in policies and practices. From her experience in community to her new role, Crema says that capacity and resources in regions supports nurses and communities, allowing true partnerships with respective Health Authorities to develop. With this trust and respect, together all partners can address issues to improve access to better health services for First Nations communities.