The Health and Wellness department respects and listens to the community and strives to deliver the services that kʷikʷəƛ̓əm m̀əlstéyəxw (members) want and need to support their good health and wellness. This includes all aspects of individual health and wellness, as well as the wellbeing of the community. We chose to adapt the medicine wheel as a representation of our mission in understanding that we all have different wants and needs when looking at health and wellness.
The foundation of the Health And Wellness department is shaped by our people’s need for both modern medicines and a collaborative health team. We assist members in accessing, and support their use of, Indigenous natural medicines, practices and traditions. We work in tandem with the Culture and Language department to ensure those who want to be introduced to traditional cultural teachings for health and wellness have access to those services. We are here to support a positive, healthy lifestyle.
Our objectives, as described in the 2021 Comprehensive Community Plan, are to:
The kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation has established an agreement with the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) that provides a protocol for our Nation and the Ministry to work together in a respectful and professional manner. This agreement ensures that staff from the MCFD cannot enter our community regarding child protection issues without first alerting kʷikʷiƛ̓əm staff. This allows families to work together to support a strength based, culturally appropriate and safe plan for our children, youth and parents. The Nation worked together with MCFD to develop a Ulysses Agreement for parents to sign in the event that they request a community member to look after their child/youth. A Ulysses Agreement is a voluntary process that outlines to others what they should and should not do to support the children and the parent(s). It also allows the parent to plan how their children will be cared for should they be temporally unable to do so.
On November 2020, we opened our first community-based health clinic. This clinic provides a variety of health and wellness services for kʷikʷəƛ̓əm m̀əlstéyəxw (our members).
The following health practitioners are available to meet with kʷikʷəƛ̓əm m̀əlstéyəxw at the clinic:
Schedule
Hours
Services Available
Maureen Lerat, Director of Community Services Email: health@kwikwetlem.com Tel: 604-540-0680
The community has four membership-based groups: Children, Youths, Adults and Elders. Their activities vary depending on member interest and available funding. The Health and Wellness Department assists in programming for these groups. Information on these group activities, as well as community-wide events, will be posted under our Events Calendar.
The First Nation Health Authority (FNHA) has put together a list of resources to support your health and well-being, including help for addiction and substance abuse. Resources include:
FNHA Virtual Substance Use & Psychiatry Service Provide virtual specialist support in addictions medicine and psychiatry. FNHA Virtual Doctor of the Day, or your usual medical professional, and give you a referral for this service.
If you’re not sure who to work with, we can help with that too!
Learn More.
Medicines
We have a small supply of smudging medicines which are available for kʷikʷəƛ̓əm m̀əlstéyəxw. Please contact us if this is something you wish to have.
Western medicines are available as prescribed through Doctors and Medical Specialists.
Social Development
The Nation's Financial Aid worker co-ordinates social development programs for kʷikʷəƛ̓əm m̀əlstéyəxw who live in the community. Some of the programs administered include:
The COVID-19 vaccine roll-out is underway throughout Canada and the United States. The First Nation Health Authority Medical Officers and nurses strongly recommend the COVID-19 vaccine as it is the best way to protect individuals, their families, and their communities. Here are some resources to help answer your questions about the COVID-19 virus, as well as the approved COVID-19 vaccines in Canada:
For information on who to call to book your vaccination appointment in communities in British Columbia, see the attached document from the First Nations Health Authority.
For a list of commonly asked questions about the vaccine, including what you need to know about its safety, effectiveness, and rollout, please refer to the attached document.
The First Nations Health Authority offers a variety of virtual health care services and resources to First Nations people in BC. For more information, click here to visit their website
The Fraser Health Authority provides a variety of health services for people who live from Burnaby to Boston Bar in BC. For more information, visit their website.
Jordan's Principle makes sure all First Nations children living in Canada can access the products, services and supports they need, when they need them. Funding can help with a wide range of health, social and educational needs.
For more information, visit the Government of Canada's website.
To find a food bank in your area, visit Food Banks BC's website.
The Spirit of the Children Society is an Indigenous non-profit based in BC who provides programs and services to strengthen Indigenous families in the Burnaby, New Westminster and the Tri-Cities area (Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody).
For more information, visit their website.
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