A message from Dr. Celeste Loewe, FNHA Medical Officer, Health & Wellness, Office of the Chief Medical Officer; and Brittany Deeter, RN, MsN, FNHA Director, Communicable Disease, Population & Public Health, Office of the Chief Nursing Officer
On the fifth annual National Day of Observance for COVID-19 (March 11), the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) acknowledges the profound and numerous ways the pandemic has affected First Nations in BC, collectively and individually. We send our deepest condolences to First Nations people in BC whose loved ones died during the pandemic. And we lift our hands to First Nations communities for both the strength and resilience shown during the pandemic and the ongoing commitment to live vibrant and healthy lives moving forward.
Staying healthy and well going forward
First Nations' traditional knowledge and cultural practices have always been valuable tools in keeping communities healthy and well – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The same will continue to play a crucial role in supporting health and wellness moving forward. Activities such as getting outdoors and connecting to the land, being active, eating traditional foods, cedar brushing, hunting, fishing, gardening, dancing / drumming circles, and participating in social and traditional ceremonies like potlatches, will be key to continued healing and addressing post-pandemic challenges.
An added layer of protection: vaccines
Although the pandemic is behind us, the COVID-19 virus continues to circulate – often surging during colder seasons, much like the influenza (flu) virus.
In addition to traditional wellness practices, vaccines are powerful tools that provide an extra layer of protection for individuals and communities. They are safe and effective, and we encourage everyone to stay up to date on their vaccinations by visiting their local health centres or nearest regional public health units.
If you have questions about vaccines or are unsure about something, it is important to seek information from reputable sources, e.g., the BC Centre for Disease Control; the Public Health Agency of Canada; and health authorities, including the FNHA.
It is also important to practise personal protective measures. When experiencing symptoms, simple actions such as washing hands, wearing a mask, avoiding crowded spaces or close contact with the elderly remain crucial in protecting communities and reducing the spread of illnesses.
Learnings from the pandemic
The achievements and wisdom gained by First Nations in BC during the pandemic were recognized in a series of reports from all five regions in 2023. You can read these on our Evaluations page here.
Going forward, we will use learnings from this pandemic to guide our future response. We have learned that we have the capacity for resilience. This inner strength inherent in all of us is a gift from our ancestors; those who have gone before us through disasters and hardships like attempted genocide, wars, famines, wildfires, and floods.
We have also learned that we are stronger and better together – that social connections can help to decrease loneliness but also boost immunity (our body's innate ability to fight diseases), mental wellness and health in general.
