Tsawout First Nation

On April 19th, Tsawout Health hosted a Residential School Survivor luncheon in the Auditorium of the Band Office Building. This luncheon is one of a series of Residential School Survivor luncheons that will be held over the next few months. The goal of these gatherings is to provide a place for survivors to come together, enjoy a lunch, and see what supports are available or could be available. Next luncheon dates are May 3rd and May 17th.

The Tsawout Healing Circle continues to be a resource for community members and the group has shown steady growth since first opening its doors in October of 2011. People report feeling safe and supported in their healing journey. Please come and join us on Mondays, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm in the old Band Office for coffee, light snacks, and caring conversation.

Nox Gyes, Edith Loring-Kuhanga (previously Edith Baker)

I have been hired as the Interim Health Director and am honoured to be working for all of you. I would like to  congratulate Tabitha Jimmy as being the successful candidate for the Receptionist position for the Health Centre! Due to my other commitments, I will be working four days per week which will vary according to my responsibilities both in the health centre and outside of the centre. 

Last week was a very busy week especially since it was my first week. We had a Health Centre Staff meeting and I attended the Management Meeting. On Wednesday April 18th, we hosted the Vancouver Island Coast Salish Health Caucus Meeting. This meeting was attended by 16 Chiefs from First Nations who are part of the Coast Salish Health Caucus (Qualicum First Nation and south). Shana Manson was re-elected as the Coast Salish representative to the First Nations Health Council.

On April 19th & 20th, Samantha Etzel and I attended the Vancouver Island Regional Caucus Meeting in Nanaimo. The Terms of Reference for the Vancouver Island First Nations Regional Caucus and the Vancouver Island Partnership Accord (Draft 18) was adopted. 

The purpose of the Partnership Accord is “to formalize and strengthen partnership between the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) and the Vancouver Island Regional Health Caucus (VNRC)”. Both parties are committed to collaborating with one another to improve the health outcomes for First Nations people on Vancouver Island and to create a more “integrated, culturally appropriate, safe, and effective health care system” for our people. The signing of this accord will take place on May 1st in the longhouse at Snuneymuxw. 

There are a lot of things happening in health and I want to ensure that the community is informed. As a result, we will be holding a health meeting in the near future and would really appreciate it if everyone could attend. I will be working with Will Morris, Hub Coordinator, and Samantha Etzel on setting up this meeting and will keep you posted on the details. Plan on attending this meeting as health involves all of you. 

On May 15-17, 2012, I will be attending the Gathering Wisdom V for a Shared Journey Conference in Vancouver. This conference will provide us with an update on the Tripartite First Nations Health Plan. 

All of the staff at the health centre are busy with their programs and have a lot of activities going on. Please stop in for a coffee/tea at the Health Centre. If you have any ideas, concerns or issues that you want us to address in the health department, please come and see me or any of the other health team. We are here to provide health services for you. You can call Tabitha and book an appointment to come and see me in the office or ask her to arrange for me to come and see you in your home. My door is always open and I look forward to listening and working with you in the area of health and wellness.

Nox Gyes, Edith Loring-Kuhanga
Interim Health Director
Phone:  (250) 652-1149      Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Judith Atkin, our diabetes nurse will be coming out on the next good food bag day. We will be available for questions and blood sugar and blood pressure testing from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm. Judith has also recently received some walking poles and we would love to try them out! Please join us for a short walk at 3:00 pm. We will be meeting in the multi-purpose room at the gym. Good Food Bag day is May 9th.