NAHO Announcement

The National Aboriginal Health Organization’s (NAHO) funding has been cut by Health Canada. It is with sadness that NAHO will wind down by June 30, 2012.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Read more >>

This blog is on hold

Please note that through an interchange agreement, the administrator of this blog will support the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada from January 3, 2011 - March 31, 2013 . As a result, posts will resume after April 1, 2013.

NAHO launches Get Immunized Information Website and Health Messaging videos

The National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) launched a new website and health messaging videos to help First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals, families and communities in Canada make decisions about getting immunization vaccines at the 9th Canadian Immunization Conference in Quebec City yesterday.

The Get Immunized Information website is a national, bilingual Web-based clearinghouse of information on immunization and First Nations, Inuit and Métis. It hosts a collection of culturally-relevant, timely and credible information resources on the benefits and risks of immunization.

The four part health messaging video series explores First Nations, Inuit and Métis individual, family and community perspectives on Immunization. They are narrated by Adam Beach and include interviews with National Aboriginal Role Models who have chosen careers in Health.

The video topics are:

-A First Nations Perspective on Immunization
-An Inuit Perspective on Immunization
-A Métis Perspective on Immunization
-Perspectives from First Nations, Inuit and Métis on Health Care (also available with French sub-titles)

“NAHO is committed to improving the health of First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals, families and communities through knowledge-based strategies,” said Dr. Paulette C. Tremblay, CEO of NAHO. “The Get Immunized Information Website and health messaging videos will help empower individuals and families to make positive, healthy decisions by gaining a better understanding of immunization.”

The Get Immunized Information Website and health messaging videos are a collaborative initiative between NAHO and the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) of Health Canada. It is strengthened by the efforts of non-profit immunization organizations, health professionals and members of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.

According to FNIHB, on-reserve First Nations have immunization rates about 20 per cent lower than the general Canadian population, and suffer from higher rates of vaccine-preventable diseases. Furthermore, some of these diseases result in more hospitalization for First Nations people than in the general population.

NAHO’s goal with the Get Immunized Information Website and health messaging videos is to increase awareness of the benefits and risks of immunization for all ages. It will achieve this with the support of physicians, nurses, community health representatives, and parents in First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.

View videos >>

NAHO SPEAKER SERIES: EXPLORING HPV IN FIRST NATIONS, INUIT AND MÉTIS COMMUNITIES

This Speaker Series will focus on research and findings related to the Burden of HPV Disease in Nunavut and HPV infections among Manitobans and Manitoba First Nations.

Resources specific to HPV, Aboriginal women and Indigenous populations will be presented by the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch of Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada.

When: Thursday, October 28, 2010, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Doors and Refreshments at 12:30 p.m.

Where: NAHO boardroom, 14th floor
220 Laurier Avenue West, Ste. 1400, Ottawa, ON

Please RSVP: via email to info@naho.ca

More information >>

Agenda

1:00 – 1:05 – MC welcome

1:05 - 1:35 - Burden of HPV Disease in Nunavut by Dr. Isaac Sobol, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Health and Social Services, Government of Nunavut

1:40 – 2:10 - HPV infections among Manitobans and Manitoba First Nations by Alain Demers, Ph.D., Senior Epidemiologist, Community Acquired Infections Division, Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada

2:15 – 2:25 HPV and Aboriginal Women in Canada online education tools by Martine Dubuc, R.N. B.ScN., Nurse Advisor, Vaccine Preventable Diseases & Immunization, Communicable Disease Control Division, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Health Canada

2:30-2:40 HPV Infections, Cervical Cancer and Cervical Cancer Screening Practices in Indigenous Populations, by Gayatri Jayaraman MPH, PhD, Manager, Surveillance and Epidemiology Section, Centre for Communicable Diseases and Infection Control, Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada

2: 45 – 3:00 Moderated Discussion

NAHO seeking First Nations, Inuit and Métis Role Models for Youth Award

The National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) is once again searching for Canada’s outstanding First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth for nomination to the 2011-2012 National Aboriginal Role Model Program (NARMP).

“The National Aboriginal Role Model Program is such an important program because it helps young leaders plant the seeds that allow First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth to think and dream about their future,” says Paulette C. Tremblay, CEO of NAHO.

NARMP provides an opportunity for First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth aged 13 to 30 to be selected as leaders and community role models. All First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth are being called upon to nominate their role models by 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, March 4, 2011.

To find out how to qualify and obtain nomination forms visit: www.naho.ca/rolemodel or by calling NAHO toll-free at 1-877-602-4445. This year, role model nominators will get their name entered into a draw to win an Apple iPod.

Lucy Idlout, the National Spokesperson for NARMP states “Our youth are committed to improving the well-being of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. They are determined to set examples and assert a future that will help ensure all of our well-being. Nominating your peers is as significant to communities, as well as the rest of the country to see how First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth shine."

A selection committee of Aboriginal youth will choose the top 12 role models. Those selected will be role models for one year, visiting First Nations, Inuit and Métis schools and communities to share their stories of hope and success.

NARMP is generously funded by Health Canada and has been organized by NAHO for the past seven years. For more information on the program visit its web site.

Dr. Paulette C. Tremblay, CEO of National Aboriginal Health Organization named 2010 Champion of Mental Health for the Aboriginal Category

Ottawa, ON —– As part of Mental Awareness Week, the National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) is proud to announce that CEO, Dr. Paulette C. Tremblay was recognized as the 2010 Champion of Mental Health for the Aboriginal Category at the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health awards ceremony dinner held at the Chateau Laurier Hotel on Monday night in Ottawa, ON.

The Champions of Mental Health Awards is an annual event which celebrates individuals and organizations who are dedicated to raising awareness, reducing the stigma associated with mental illness, and advocating for mental health research and care across Canada.

NAHO was recognized for its efforts in providing suicide prevention resources to First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth and youth workers through the Honouring Life Network (HLN) web site.

“The work NAHO is doing to provide culturally relevant suicide prevention is vital to helping First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth have a venue for self expression. The resources on the web site assist youth in having dialogues with others and making positive decisions about their health and well-being.” states Dr. Paulette C. Tremblay. “I am honoured to have accepted this important award on behalf of NAHO.”

Sponsored by Health Canada, the Honouring Life Network web site offers culturally relevant information and resources to help Aboriginal youth and youth workers deal with a problem that has reached crisis proportions in some First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities in Canada.

Visit the HLN >>

NAHO Announces a Contest in Celebration of World Suicide Prevention Day

Ottawa, ON – In celebration of World Suicide Prevention Day, the National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) announces an exciting new contest of the Honouring Life Network (HLN). The HLN is a web site that offers culturally relevant suicide prevention resources and information to First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth and youth workers.

The contest is entitled, How Do YOU Honour Life? and is open to First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth between the ages of 17 to 30.

Dr. Paulette C. Tremblay, Chief Executive Officer of NAHO states, “There is a need to encourage and facilitate positive dialogue with our youth to increase protective factors and decrease the stigma and shame associated with suicide.”

Youth are encouraged to submit an entry into one of three categories: multimedia, visual or written. These will represent creative expressions, experiences, thoughts and initiatives on how they honour life and approach suicide prevention and awareness in their communities.

The top 5 entries in each category will be showcased on the HLN web site to inspire others to Honour Life each and every day. The winner of each category, who will be selected by the HLN Youth Advisory Committee, will receive a free Flip video camera.

For full contest details and information about the Honouring Life Network go to www.honouringlife.ca