Tsawout First Nation

ÍY SȻÁĆEL, Good Day, Siem Smun'eem Research and Training Network for Indigenous Well-being "Honoring Indigenous knowledge and practice" formerly Indigenous Child Welfare Research Network is hosting a "Fish Soup for the Soul" training session in the SȾÁUTW̱ -Tsawout Community on May 23rd and 24th. Registration is open to 50 participants. There is no fee for this Training session. Please register as soon as possible.

The Training is an opportunity to have some dialogue regarding what best practices for child well-being looks like in our First Nation communities. The first one this year will be held on the Traditional Territory of the SȾÁUTW̱ -Tsawout Community. Attached is the Registration form and Tentative Agenda. I have attached a fillable registration that can be emailed to me. Thank you Samantha Etzel

Medical Transportation

The Health Department offers medical transportation through the health center for those unable to get to their doctor’s appointment any other way. For those able to take the bus, we do have bus tickets available. We are also able to compensate a member of your family for mileage.

If you require a ride to a doctor’s appointment please call the health reception desk at (250) 652-1149. Appointments will need to be booked a minimum of 24 hours in advance and priority will be given to elders, those with disabilities and people undergoing procedures after which they will be unable to drive.

By Edith Loring-Kuhanga

Yes, finally Spring is here and hopefully, summer is just around the corner!

1. Restructuring: Over the last few weeks, we have been meeting regularly both internally, with all of the divisions and externally with our partner groups. It has been an extremely busy time as we all work towards the same common goal of serving our community better. We believe that we will be a much stronger and cohesive team in the health, education, employment and social services divisions as we are now able to collaborate, share resources and expertise amongst one another. Rather than community members having to go to different departments for services, you will be able to come see one of the team leaders who can then pull the team together to address some of your needs or issues: The team leaders within each Division are as follows:

Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative

Good Food Bag program: Every month we subsidize the good food bag program as part of the Aboriginal Diabetes initiative. The program gets fresh produce to individuals in the community living with diabetes and for those who are also at risk. The produce is bought in bulk through a distributor in Vancouver so we are able to provide more produce to our diabetics at the same price that a grocery store would provide it at.

We have community members who are signed up under this program and who receive the good food bag on a monthly basis. To sign up, we just need to have a diagnosis of diabetes from your doctor. The bag is also available to be purchased by any other community members who wish to increase their intake of fruits and vegetables at an affordable price.