Health & Wellness Dept

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Mission Statement: To work with our health service partners to provide, co-ordinate and evaluate the provision of quality health programs for ALIB community members.

The Sexqeltqin Health Centre in IR4:

The Sexqeltqin Health Centre is a fully accredited health centre with Accreditation Canada. Being an Accredited Health Centre improves the quality, safety and efficiency so we can provide the community with the best care and service possible. The Sexqeltqin Health Centre completed our first accreditation survey in 2014 and our second successful survey in October 2018.

Nexe7yelst Pierre Moyese Health Administration

Office in IR 6: The health and wellness team at the building are the Community Health Nurse, Social worker, Cultural worker, Youth worker and other team members can be available for appointments. An overview from the Health and Wellness Team:

Health Administration - Shirley Anderson and Rhonda Jules

Due to Covid Protocols the way we operated in April 2020- March 2021 has been different and we learned to adapt. The health services changed or were put on hold. We did our best to be as inclusive as we could to accommodate the needs and services of on reserve members as well as off reserve members. We learned how to “Zoom” and sign documents electronically. The amount of meetings attended seemed to have increased because travel didn’t have to be factored in; so this meant as many as three zoom meetings could be attended in a day during pandemic and emergency updates as well as regular board and committee meetings. Time went by fast and the same amount of work was always required. In February 2021, we were finally able to deliver the first dose of Moderna vaccine to our on reserve adults and this served 240 members and community members. Nursing Department – Shauna Buchannan, Manon Tremblay, Jackie Jones (retired) The Nursing department has been navigating the Pandemic since it was noted by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a pathogen of concern back in January 2020. Back in the early days, work revolved around detailed work of the Pandemic Plan, community awareness, preparedness and communication, and ordering large amounts of PPE. The Nursing department was able to order PPE before we saw a worldwide shortage hit the markets, thanks to the detailed work outlined in the Pandemic Plan created in 2017. The world saw the official declaration of the global Pandemic by the WHO in March 2020, which set the remainder of the Pandemic Plan into motion. Ensuing work has revolved around continued communication and community preparedness, positive case and contact management (which at times was high during the second wave of the Pandemic), working collaboratively with First Nations Health Authority and Interior Health, vaccine procurement and vaccine rollout, and post Pandemic recovery planning. This has been a challenging time for everyone, and the Nursing department would like to thank everyone for their hard work and commitment to keeping the community as safe as possible during these incredibly difficult times by following Public Measures. We know these times have been unprecedented on a global scale, and many health care services have looked differently during this time. People have been adaptable and flexible, which has led to many successes.

First Moderna Vaccine Clinic,

Feb, 2021

Nursing Department continued

February 2021 saw the retirement of Community Health Nurse Jackie Jones. She provided strong nursing leadership and care to the community for over a decade.

We look forward to the next fiscal year with renewed hope that we are getting closer to the end of the Pandemic with each passing day, thanks to the continued commitment of a strong community, standing together to make Adams Lake a stronger, healthier community. Kukstsemc.

Social Work Department Returning our children

Adams Lake has the highest rate of children in care, these children are residing on and off reserve in resources and foster homes. We are happy to report that we are working towards two of Adams Lake Children returning home to live with their mother. We have also supported an urban member regain custody of their child and working on one other child who will slowly be reintegrated with his father as soon as father can secure housing. We are working with another ALIB family in securing housing and their children will be returned home slowly once the family has housing.

MCFD Salmon Arm Working Relationship

We have established a working relationship with Ministry of Children Family Development (MCFD)

Salmon Arm. For the first time they will be following legislation under Bill C92 and reporting and will involve the Adams Lake Band social worker and Adams Lake Band representative all decision regarding ALIB children within the Salmon Arm jurisdiction. They have agreed to appoint a liaison/ Social worker of MCFD that will oversee holding ALIB client files.

Parent Legal Centre (PLC) to Adam Lake Indian Band on reserve

We have partnered with Neskonlith Indian Band to support our Band Members and families that have been contacted or already addressing concerns from Ministry organizations This launch will be happening in June, they will be on reserve in IR6 and IR4 every second alternating Tuesday to support ALIB families, and the PLC will be in the Community of Chase and NIB Salmon Arm on opposing Tuesday’s, for easy access to the legal help that family’s need. This will allow for our family’s that are contacted by MCDF and other systemic organizations to access support in community and legal advice. They will have access to family mediation, advocacy when directly dealing with MCFD, legal advice and legal aid if needed. There will be a poster distributed in our community, new letters, and face book page.

Grandparent raising grandchildren.

The month of December was a great success we went from 13 to 26 participants capturing both on reserve and urban area. The Health Centre and social work department wanted to honor and support ALIB grandparents that have stepped up and supporting their family members by raising their grandchildren.

Community Wellness Projects

Due to Covid 19 there was funding from SCFS prevention funds, we were granted permission to use the money to better our community. We have been working with Jerry Andrews from Public Works and Housing Dept and with the support of C&C we will be installing a new dock in IR6 and extending the dock in IR4, these docks will ensure that all ALIB band members will have access to the water for ceremony and family entertainment, the dock will be wheelchair accessible. IR 6 will also be receiving a gazebo for sacred fire, ceremony, and family functions.

Complimentary Gift/ Community Engagement

In Covid times it is hard to engage family members in working toward keeping our children safe in our community, so working with Sandy Lund (youth worker) and Robin Murphy (Headstart). We purchased complimentary gifts for Adams Lake children on and off reserve a choice of a bike, scooter, or a skateboard with the expectation of filling out a survey regarding making ALIB safe for all members.

“New” Urban Liaison Worker (Vancouver) Rebecca Jules

We have contracted an urban worker out of Vancouver that is instrumental in supporting urban members and ensuring they are kept up to date with ALIB information.

“New” Direct Support Worker Elizabeth Thom We have contracted a one-to-one support worker for ALIB young children who are struggling with day-to-day tasks like school and or daycare.

Elizbeth was hired as a Direct Support Worker at Adams Lake Band in December 2020 Elizabeth has introduced herself and built relationships with guardians and children. We have worked with IHCAN process, Affordable childcare benefit form for daycare enrollment. I have also been doing kindergarten transition training. I work collaboratively with other staff to support children, including Secwepemc Child and Family Services, social workers, head start and daycare. I am also doing Nobody’s Perfect Training every Monday.

Mental Health & Substance Use Worker

Carly McMeekin The wellness program provides 1-1 support, resources, and referrals for ALIB members. We have a Harm Reduction approach which seeks to minimize risk and work towards best possible outcomes. Education has been provided through workshops such as ASIST, Mental Health First Aid, and Naloxone Training, these will help further awareness and alleviate stigma. The Wellbriety program focuses on fundamentals of prevention and the pathway to quality of life. With the support of FNHA First Nations Health Authority and networking partners, we aim to offer a range of services that can be accessed by the community. Youth Tim Johnson and Sandy Lund The Youth workers are comprised of Sandy Lund working in IR 4 and Tim Johnson in IR 6. Due to Covid-19 this past year has looked quite different with both youth workers helping with Covid-19 response/support, while continuing ways of engaging youth with current restrictions. We were able to host an online internet safety workshop with the ‘White Hatter’, helped with community gardens, food prep, skiing/snowboarding, medicine/berry picking, hiking, ran scavenger/treasure hunts in the community, partnered with some cultural videos, and even had a winter wellness bingo. We are continually looking for ways to meet the physical, spiritual, mental, and social needs of the youth in our community.

Head Start Program Robin Murphy, Niomi Boadway, and Eva Michel This year flew by quickly. Eva Michel was in school taking the language course and working part time in the classroom. Niomi Boadway left in April for maternity leave and is now back working in the classroom and Robin returned in September to start the new school year.

This year we had 10 families in Chase and 8 families in Gleneden a total of 24 kids.

Covid closed the Health Centre down shortly after the new year which had us working from home. Robin started back to work in September and started to prepare for the new school year, although tried to open a few times ended up sending home program activity bags and purchasing snowsuits to encourage outdoor time so the children could burn off energy. We implemented zoom meetings on child development, which didn’t go over well. It was hard to get people to remember to sign in or the children made it hard to participate in the conversations.

Early Years Program

As with the Head Start program Covid made it hard to get together for programing but a lot of planning was put in place. We ordered drum, drumstick and rattle kits so we can move into small groups outside once the weather is nice.

Participated in the bike scooter and skateboard give away. By buying and handing out the bikes and scooters as well as helmets for each child on the reserve and five families living off reserve. We did two family game nights which went over well. We supplied families with a game which they played in their own home and a gift card for snacks or pizza. They took place on Valentine's Day and second week of March. Also gave out books to the school and daycare on holidays for the kids and helped with the renovation of the T House in Gleneden.

Elder Program and Recreation fund 2020-2021

We definitely had our challenges last year during Covid but we managed to have two Elders picnics in Chase and one in Gleneden when the social distancing group numbers were raised to up to 50 people outside (Summer 2020). Puzzles, books and magazines were handed out to the ALIB Elder households (Spring 2021) If you did not receive one, please contact Daidri Marr to request a drop off at your household. Additional funds were also sent out last Christmas so the Elders could spend a little bit of money on themselves to treat themselves to something nice over the holidays. (Winter 2020). The recreation funding was accessed by ALIB Band members last year and we did not exceed the total amount allotted to ALIB membership $75,000.00 Numbers were down last year due to gyms, sporting clubs like baseball, hockey, soccer being temporarily disrupted last year by Covid measures across Canada. Community Wellness funding (OSR) was accessed by some members but most of the funds were rolled over to the new fiscal 2021/2022.

Robert Matthew: Principal Vision and Principles

At Chief Atahm School, ”We have a vision of a Secwepemc speaking community living in balance with nature . Individuals will be prepared for today’s world and help protect the earth for Tellqelmucw, the people to come, and for all living beings. “

Executive Summary 2020-2021:

Chief Atahm School has successfully operated for 30 years. We believe that we are defined by our language, land and traditions. The school is based on Secwepemc language and culture. In September 2020, there were 45 students enrolled at Chief Atahm School. The new Chief Atahm School Language Centre has the capacity to develop and produce immersion curriculum, from concept to finished product. Chief Atahm School offers post secondary language courses through it’s Stselxmems R Secwepemc: Secwepemc Knowledge Institute. We are in our third year of successful operation. Chief Atahm School has 25 employees: a Principal, Administrative support, Teachers, Teacher Aides, Fluent Elders, Curriculum and Nest staff , janitor, and bus driver/maintenance man. We are happy to announce that the new high school and curriculum centre is functioning without any issues.

Programs Kye7e’s House: NEST

Due to the pandemic, the NEST program was moved from the NEST building to a pilot remote delivery program through a dedicated Facebook site. Parents were invited to enrolled in on-line language lessons with their children. Learning resources were provided. The program will continue in 2021.

Immersion N/K to 4

Total immersion instruction at Chief Atahm School is for six years, from Nursery /Kindergarten to grade 4. All the courses are taught in Secwepemctsin. The school develops high quality immersion resources for the students. The Elders play a very significant and valuable role in the production of Secwepemc curriculum. Several students are receiving instruction remote instruction. All the classes have Smart Boards and have remote instruction accessible by Zoom.

Grade 5 to 10

In 2020-2021 school year, three elective courses were added to the core program of English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education. The students completed the Drone Academy course, where they learned how to build and fly a drone. The WeVideo on-line course taught the students how create a digital video production. The students are enrolled in a Fine Arts course where they will be introduced graphic art software using graphic art tablets.

Physical Education

The school is part the Northern Spirit Program. The whole school enjoyed cross-country skiing, snowshoeing at Skamana and Larch Hills on new equipment. Mountain biking and hiking are part of the outdoor education program. As well, one basketball clinic were held at the school via Zoom. Chief Atahm School continues to have strong physical education program.

Secwepemc Traditions Continue

Teachers continue teaching Secwepemc traditions. Along with singing, the students learned how to cut meat and get it ready for making “skec”. In the spring every year, the whole school digs “scwicw” and “stinestn”.

Language Centre

Chief Atahm School has the capacity to research, develop and produce Secwepemctsin resources. In the spirit of “Knuwetsut”, the school has trained its own staff in all phases of language resource development. The school has a Learning Resource catalogue on the school websites.

www.chiefathm.com/ http://www.atahm.info/ https://www.chiefatahmgames.com/

Stselxméms R Secwepemc: Secwepemc Knowledge Institute Dr. Kathryn Michel The Institute, founded in 2018 at Chief Atahm School, continues to offer language programs.

In September 2020, the Stselxmems R Secwépemc Department began a new cohort of adult learners of Secwepemctsín to add to our growing group of Secwepemc speakers and teachers of our language. Covid-19 presented us with a challenge that we successfully overcame as we moved language into the digital age. Two beginning level language courses that are accredited through Nicola Valley Institute of Technology were developed that can be taken entirely online. These two courses are transferable to Thompson Rivers University, University of Victoria or Simon Fraser University. Six other online courses were completed by the cohort to bring them to over 90% completion of the Simon Fraser University Indigenous Language Proficiency Certificate Program. In the fall the cohort will continue with completion of the certificate and will begin the 2 year diploma. The success of our language cohort and their incredible language development has erased initial doubts about online teaching and language learning. One of the bonuses of an online program has been the ability to have students from across Secwepemcúlecw and beyond our borders participate. We have Secwépemc students from our Band, the local area, Invermere, Simpcw, Vancouver, Alberta, Ontario and even Santa Cruz, California. Our conversations classes and other Zoom-based courses have connected us together and the Facebook group the students created have provided support and camaraderie to one another. Although we certainly miss the physical presence of our Elders, Lawrence Michel, Lucy William and Anna Michel, we were still able to make great gains in language proficiency. We look forward to being able to host face-to-face instruction again in the fall (involving online students also) and continuing to celebrate and learn our amazing language together.

We are currently working on adapting our credited online courses into a non-credited version and/or a year long course for those that need extra time and support to get through it. Announcements for our online courses in the fall will be sent out.

CAS GOALS for 2021/2022:

• Increase the enrolment at all grade levels • Development Immersion language arts books • Digitize the school language collection and add then to the On-line Secwepemctsin resources • Buy a new bus • Re-new the affiliation agreements with post secondary institutions to offer language courses.