Monday, September 21, 2009

First Nations Centre of NAHO announces the beneficiaries of the First Nations Single Parent Health Career Bursary

The First Nations Centre of the National Aboriginal Health Organization is pleased to announce the five recipients of the First Nations Single Parent Health Careers Bursary. This program gives $1,000 cash bursaries to assist First Nations students attending health related post-secondary programs in 2009-2010.

“I am thrilled that many First Nations people are choosing health careers” said Valorie Whetung, Director of the First Nations Centre. “Our communities will benefit from having workers who enter health care professions. It is essential that we support and encourage them to achieve their dreams.”

The five First Nations single parent students are:
• Chantell Neff, Chemawawin Cree Nation, MB, who is attending the University of Winnipeg, MB, to prepare for a nursing career.
• Myrna Nabigon, Pic River First Nation, ON, who is attending the Practical Nursing Program at Confederation College, in Marathon, ON.
• Adrienne Doxtator, Oneida Nation of the Thames, ON, who is attending the Registered Practical Nursing Program at St. Clair College in Chatham, ON.
• Cheyenne Mary, Bear River First Nation, NS, who is enrolled in the Master of Public Health program at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, ON.
• Sheena Solomon, Toosey Indian Band, BC, who is studying General Biology to prepare for the Registered Practical Nursing Program at Thompson Rivers University in Williams Lake, BC.

The mission of the First Nations Centre (FNC) is to advance First Nations health knowledge. The FNC develops tools and processes that assist in building capacity and transferring knowledge. The First Nations Single Parent Bursary program is consistent with the FNC’s objectives to foster the participation of First Nations people in delivery of health care and to assist First Nations in nation building as it relates to health (self-sufficiency, self determination, true transfer and securing appropriate resources).

Thursday, September 10, 2009

NARMP 2009 Role Model talks about HLN video contest

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day!

2009 National Aboriginal Role Model Charlotte Qamaniq talks about Honouring Life Network Suicide Prevention Video Contest.

View YouTube video

HLN Suicide Prevention Contest

OTTAWA, ON — In celebration of World Suicide Prevention Day, the Honouring Life Network (HLN), a project of the National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO), announced an exciting new contest for First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth.

The initiative, called the HLN Suicide Prevention Video Contest, is open to First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth between the ages of 17 to 30. Youth are encouraged to submit a short video to the HLN YouTube channel that represents their creative expressions, experiences, thoughts, and initiatives regarding suicide prevention and awareness. Video cameras are being provided by the HLN if youth are unable to supply their own equipment.

“There is an urgent need to address the crisis number of youth suicides that are occurring in many First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities,” said NAHO Chief Executive Officer Dr. Paulette C. Tremblay. “We need to encourage and facilitate positive dialogue with our youth to increase protective factors and decrease the stigma and shame associated with suicide”.

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 goal of this project is to raise awareness of the alarming rate of youth suicides occurring in First Nations, Inuit and Métis populations by encouraging youth to speak out about suicide prevention awareness to a national audience.

According to Health Canada, the rate of suicide among First Nations and Inuit youth are between three and 11 times higher than the national average. While overall rates have declined in the general population, First Nations and Inuit populations are experiencing an increase in the number of young people who are ending their own lives.

The winner of the video contest, who will be selected by the HLN Youth Advisory Committee, will be flown to the nation’s capital for NAHO’s national conference in November and receive a free Flip video camera.

More details >>

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

NAHO launches new Web site

New site features NAHO’s new branding, social media activities, improved navigation

OTTAWA —The National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) launched a revamped version of its popular Web site today – www.naho.ca.

Highlights of the new Web site include:
• Improved navigation and organization of content.
• Reflection of NAHO’s new branding.
• Links to NAHO’s social media activities, including its YouTube channel, blogs, photo galleries, Facebook groups and Twitter accounts.
• Easy-to-find staff contact information.

The changes are in response to the needs of NAHO Web site users, based on a survey conducted last spring. NAHO surveyed its Web site users to get a glimpse of who is using the site, and what they are using it for.

“The response to our survey was astounding,” said NAHO Chief Executive Officer Dr. Paulette C. Tremblay. “I was very pleased that we were able to reach out to the users of our Web site to engage them in its redesign.”

Originally launched in 2001, NAHO’s Web site has undergone numerous changes, both cosmetic and technical.

Over the past year, NAHO has been increasingly using social media, such as blogs and social networking sites, to engage with its stakeholders. This tactic has proven to be very successful, and these activities are now highlighted on the NAHO Web site.

NAHO’s new branding is also reflected in the new design of the Web site, featuring a braid and updated image. The braid, comprised of three individual strands, represents the three constitutionally recognized Indigenous groups in Canada: First Nations, Inuit and Métis.

The braid signifies that although there are times when the three populations act on their own, it is when they come together in unity that they are strongest.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Registration for the NAHO 2009 National Conference is now OPEN!

OTTAWA, ON - The National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) is hosting a national conference in Ottawa, Ontario from November 24-26, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza and Marriott Hotels.

“NAHO is a leader in First Nations, Inuit and Métis health research and public education in Canada,” says Dr. Paulette C. Tremblay, Chief Executive Officer of NAHO. “NAHO’s 2009 National Conference, Our People, Our Health is an opportunity you don’t want to miss.”

NAHO is bringing Aboriginal health care professionals from across Canada, the United States and abroad to host the most engaging and informative national health conference this year.

The following are some of the topics to be discussed:
• Strategic Planning for Health.
• Developing Health Capacity.
• Health Research.
• Health and Well-Being.
• Traditional Medicine in Contemporary Contexts.
• Aboriginal Health Human Resources.
• And more...

Dr. Tremblay goes on to say, “Our People, Our Health is the largest and most important gathering of Aboriginal health care professionals in 2009! While we expect 700 participants participation is limited, so please register now.”

Delegates will explore recent innovations and existing or emerging trends in population health research as they relate to reducing disparities among First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.

Please visit the conference Web site at www.naho.ca/conference for full details on the conference agenda, speakers and workshop sessions, as well as information on registration and accommodation.