All About Diabetes

First Nations People have an increased chance of getting Type 2 diabetes especially if their family has had a history of Type 2 diabetes, they have excess weight in their stomach, eat lots of processed/refined food (fast food, quick meals), have had babies over 9 pounds, have high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol, was an unusually large or small baby, have excessive stress, physically inactive (exercise less than 3 times a week), sleep deprived, or smoke. 

People with diabetes have increased their chances of complications of diabetes such as heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage (neuropathy: numbness in hands & feet; carpal tunnel syndrome; autonomic neuropathy: irregular heartbeat, delayed digestion of food, erectile dysfunction; dental problems: gum disease, dental abscesses, oral thrush; autonomic neuropathy: feeling full quicker, alternating diarrhea with constipation, delays in the stomach emptying leading to nausea, vomiting, and bloating; and possible blindness due to retinopathy (high blood sugars disrupts the proper function of the eyes)—which may take months or years to develop but once retinopathy is present will progress very quickly. 

If you can’t make time for exercise (and taking care of yourself in general) then you should make time for illness.

By Andrea Walkus-Andrews, (250) 902-2275

ASPIRING DOCTORS: Preadmissions Workshop July 27-28, 2011

 

 

 

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A DOCTOR?

 

The Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC is please to announce it will be hosting its seventh annual, “Aboriginals into Medicine: Pre-admissions Workshop,” July 27-28, 2011. It will take place at the Vancouver-Fraser Program located at the University of British Columbia Campus in Vancouver, BC.

 

The purpose of the workshop is to provide Aboriginal students with the necessary tools to be successful in their application process into and completing the undergraduate MD program. The presentations for the workshop will be given by Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal physicians, medical students and residents; and university staff and faculty members.

 

Aboriginal Students completing Grade 11& 12, and others attending college/university in BC are encouraged to register. There is no cost in attending the workshop as accommodations and some meals will be covered by the workshop. Travel to/from the workshop will be the student’s responsibility. Space is limited, so apply ASAP.

 

Deadline for registration: June 24, 2011, Friday, 4:30 PM.

 

For registration information please contact:

James Andrew, Associate Director at

Phone: (604) 682-2344, ext 63417 or email at james.andrew@ubc.ca

 

Register Your Child For Kindergarten!

The Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw School is busy planning for kindergarten for next year. The school has to decide if we are going to have one or two classes. As a result, we need to know if your child is planning on attending our school in September. If you plan on having your child in kindergarten next year please come by the school and register your child as soon as possible. The deadline for registration is Friday, April 29. If you don’t register by this date then there is a possibility there may not be enough space for next year. Thanks.

You need the following information to register your child:

1.) Birth Certificate

2.) Medical ID Number

3.) Status Card

 

Thanks,

Reed Allen

Principal-Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw School

Netmending Job Available!

Date Posted : 3/29/11 Full/Part-Time : Full-Time Industry : Aquaculture Job Title : Net Menders Location : Port Hardy Salary : TBD Details : Mending fish farm nets. Must be reliable and a team player. 40 hours per week. Steel toed boots and raingear are required. Additional Info : n/a Contact : Apply in person with resume, 8300 Byng Road, Port Hardy Company Name : Badinotti Net Services Canada
via niefs.net

Apply For a Job in GN Traditional Territories!

Date Posted : 3/29/11 Full/Part-Time : Full-Time Industry : Tourism/ Hospitality Job Title : Front Office Location : Port Hardy Salary : $13.75/hr Details : Full-time April to Oct, then part-time work over winter. Weekend work required. Customer service and sales, scheduling floatplanes, general office duties and shopping for groceries and other lodge supplies. Start wage $13.75/hr + bonus. Additional Info : Seeking a highly motivated candidate to work in our office in Port Hardy, providing customer and logistical support for Great Bear Lodge. Work for a company you can feel passionate about. Requirements include basic computer proficiency. Contact : Apply to Marg Leehane: marg_leehane@greatbeartours.com or phone 250-949-9496. Company Name : Great Bear Nature Tours
via niefs.net

Wa'kas Hall Booking Policy

Hall booking policy in effect:
- Bookings may be made up to two weeks in advance, no earlier.
- For special events, such as dinners or tournaments, bookings may be made earlier, but must be confirmed two weeks prior to the event.
- When you make a booking you must leave your phone number.
- Last-minute special events, like funerals, comfort services, etc. may take precedence over sports practices, bingo, etc. but the organizer of the special event must get in touch, with a reasonable amount of notice, with whoever has the booking to discuss it with them.

We are going to try to move towards booking hall time by team instead of individual (so that multiple people from the same team can't take up all of the spots) 

Please go to the online calendar at http://www.gwanak.info/whats-new/calendar to see who has the hall booked. Please note this may not be completely up-to-date, call the Band Office front desk to make a booking or to confirm who has the hall booked, (250) 949-8343.

We are also going to try and bring back hall time for the kids, with supervision, we just need volunteer coordinators/chaperones.

(as per GN Council meeting, March 29 2011)

Elder's Update March 28/11

Hello everyone! 
 
Finally, spring has sprung! Here is just a little update as to what is in place or not in place as of yet ;) 
I am currently working on accommodations for the Elder's Conference 2011. Here is who I have so far: Marion & Spruce, Sally & David, Mable J., Calhoun, Kenny, Mary M., Kathy, Mary H., Ernie H., John & Irene, Willie & Charlotte, Sara & Richard, Doug, Harry, Emma, William, Mary V., Bird, Dorey, Betty, Paddy, Nellie & Peewee. 
Please note that we only have room for a fraction of the elders we have on the entire list. So please sign up early! 
 
The next lunch meeting will be April 5, 2011 @ 12pm place: Elder's Centre
 
The Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw Elders would like to thank everyone for their votes on the approval for their Grant Proposal. Please note that we have not yet received the funds and we will not receive them until April :) Just in case anyone has been wondering ;) 
 
We tried having a Bakwam'Gala Tea with Mike Willie again on the 17th. Unfortunately, we had zero show up. SO we have brain stormed a few different routes we would like to try. Here they are: we could make it dinner here @ the Elder's Centre or take those of you interested out for coffee or lunch somewhere individually. What do you think? If you are interested, please call me here @ the Elder's Building (949 7406) or Mike @ the School (949 7743). I look forward to hearing from you! 
 
It seems like it has been ages since we have had nice weather! Since the sun has been coming around to play more often, there will be walking club on nice days @ 1pm meeting @ the bridge. If you require assistance, please call me ahead of time so I can come pick you up pr help you. The life skills & Grief & loss workshops have been moved down to the Youth Centre. Please mark on your calendars: Elder's exercise session every Thursday @ 11am-12pm!
 
Once we have our funding in place, we will start up weekly swims, exercise classes & other adventures. Please be sure to come to the next meeting to give your ideas of events & activities we can do in the near future. We will also start nominations of escorts also. 
 
We have a catering job April 7th @ 9am Elder's Centre! 
 
I think that about wraps it up for now. Have a great week everyone!
 
Gilakasla
Silena

Native Education College in Vancouver is offering a free Health Care Assistant Certification Program. Their next intake is at the end of March 2011.

FYI

From: Sxwithultxw, Stephen [mailto:Stephen.Sxwithultxw@viha.ca]
Sent: March-22-11 9:28 AM
To: Sxwithultxw, Stephen
Subject: Health Care Assistance Program

Greetings from VIHA!

I wanted to forward this amazing opportunity for First Nation students who are interested in working in the health field at an entry level position.

Native Education College in Vancouver is offering a free Health Care Assistant Certification Program. There next intake is at the end of March 2011.

I have enclosed a PDF copy of their brochure to post.

This program is not affiliated with VIHA, nor do we supply any resources to NEC. We are just passing on a fabulous opportunity for students.

Should you have any questions about this course, please contact Sheryl Engdahl at 604-873-3772 ext 328 or 778-996-5184.

Good luck!

Steve Sxwithul'txw

_________________________

Aboriginal Recruitment Advisor

People and Organizational Development (POD)

Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA)

_______________________________

1952 Bay St
Victoria, B.C.
W (250) 370-8643

C (250) 889-6759

F (250) 370-8118  
Email: Stephen.Sxwithultxw@viha.ca mailto:Stephen.Sxwithultxw@viha.ca> 
Website:  www.viha.ca http://www.viha.ca/> 


[Thanks to Sharon Gordon for passing this along! - Jessie Hemphill]

CALL FOR BIDS: CONSTRUCTION LABOUR (URGENT!)

Good Afternoon,

The Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw Nations invites you to bid on the labour for installing a metal railing beside the walkway on the Tsulquate Bridge, plus repairing the damaged guardrail.

All materials will be provided. You must provide the labour and tools. Work must be mostly completed by March 31, 2011.

Please bring your bids to the GN Band Office, addressed to Les Taylor, Band Manager, e-mail them to manager@gwanak,info, or fax them to (250) 949-7402 ATTN: Les Taylor.

All bids must be in by Monday, March 28, with work to begin ASAP.

Thank you!

Public Works Update

The chlorine level for this week is 0.93.
 
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS UPDATE:
 
I 've been promoting the level one emergency plan that we now have I had a information table set up at the Health and Wellness Day on March 16 and at the community lunch on March 17. I explained about the plan and had a volunteer sign up sheet. Altogether twenty people signed up. A big thank-you to everyone who volunteered your time.  I have set up a training session called Neighbourhood Preparedness Program which will be taught by Chuck Lok, who is the Regional District of Mount Waddington Emergency Coordinator.
 
The session will take place at Wakas Hall on April 4 at 10 - 12. See you all there.
 
I also attended a meeting with the District of Port Hardy about how emergencies can be handled better that affect our communities. We are working on having a joint emergency plan, current contact information, phone trees and having a brochure to hand out to our communities.
 
I was involved on a conference call with PEP, INAC, Regional Districts and First Nations on Vancouver Island. The call was to get feed back on how everything was handled here in regards to the eartquake in Japan which generated the tsunami wave to come towards us on Vancouver Island.

- Bob Swain, Public Works