News

Weekly Health Update # 5 With AFN Community Health Nurse

Published: May 05 2020 15:09

Hi Everyone,

Week 8 and we’re seeing some light at the end of this tunnel! I hope you were able to enjoy some of the new lifted restrictions! You can find the list of things that are newly reopened at: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20200501006. Keep in mind, We MUST still practice social distancing, keep activity within household units, and maintain hand and respiratory hygiene. A lot of people are feeling done with this, and frustration may be growing, but following the orders of Dr. Strang will allow us to lift restrictions in the quickest way possible, so please, hang in there!
Please continue to reach out. Being limited in where you can go, and who you can see is really hard. Use video chatting, texting, call, or send letters! Kids can make crafts and pictures and mail to friends and family. Spread some kindness. As always, all the resources lines are listed at the bottom.
Getting topic posts done is going a little slower than I would like, so I will be working hard tomorrow to get a physical activity, as well as a work from home, post up on the Facebook page. If there is a topic you’d like to see more about, such as nutrition, physical activity during isolation, coping strategies, child and youth health, etc. Please let me know and I can look into helping you as well as the community!

Stay safe and wash your hands,

Chelsea Sawyer
Community Health Nurse
O: 902-627-1245
C: 902-277-2297

Best links to get information

Please see our Facebook page: AFN Community Health and answer the joining questions for access. Frequent updates, resources, and links will be posted there

Nova Scotia Government: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/

Nova Scotia Health Authority: http://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirus

Government of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html

World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

WHO advising on pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding: https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-on-covid-19-pregnancy-childbirth-and-breastfeeding

Mental Health Provincial Crisis Line: call 24/7 1-888-429-8167

Kids Help Phone: call 24/7 1-800-668-6868
text CONNECT to 686868
or chat online on their website

Wasoqopa'q First Nation | Grass Clearing Tenders | 2020

Published: May 05 2020 14:37

 

Wasoqopa'q First Nation is seeking persons interested in bidding on grass clearing tenders for the various communities. The applicants must have:

  • All tools and essentials required to mow grass, whipper snip around community homes and buildings as well as remove and clear garbage and grass from the sites being cleaned
  • The ability to transport your equipment to and from the various sites.
  • Must be energetic and willing to work long hours

 

The areas requiring grass clearing are as follows:

  1. Yarmouth Reserve
  2. Gold River Reserve
  3. Medway River Reserve
  4. Ponhook Lake Reserve
  5. Hammonds Plains Reserve

 

In order to obtain all required information on these tenders please email Lloyd Mac Dougall at .

The Tender officially closes on May 16th at 12 noon. Late applicants will not be considered.

Mi’kmaq Rights Initiative | Youth Engagement | Child Welfare Reform and Mi'kmaw Governance

Published: May 05 2020 11:33

We are requesting youth from Wasoqopa'q First Nation to participate in Video Conference meetings over the next couple weeks and months as we engage youth from all 13 NS Mi'kmaw communities on Child Welfare Reform and Mi'kmaw Governance.

 

Our hope is to host meetings with youth (age 14-18) and engage them on issues relevant to the Mi'kmaw Nation so that the voice of our youth is not lost as we move forward together. Please let me know the names and contact info of up to 10 youth that could participate in these calls so that I could forward all the necessary information.

 

If I could receive names and contact info of youth from your community in the next day or two that would help us extremely as begin these engagements.

 

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. 

 

Wela'lin,

 

Storm Gould, B.Comm
Administrative Support - Governance

Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office
Mi’kmaq Rights Initiative
75 Treaty Trail
Truro, NS B6L 1W3

Phone: 902.379.2209
Cell: 902.304.9227
Fax: 902-379-2186

Acadia First Nation Scholarship Program 2020

Published: May 04 2020 14:12

Acadia First Nation awards four $1000.00 Grade 12 scholarships annually.

Students are required to meet these criteria to be eligible for consideration:

  1. Must be a member of Acadia First Nation.
  2. Must be graduating Grade 12 and continuing on to further studies in September 2020.
  3. Must submit a transcript of 1st semester high school marks.
  4. Must submit an acceptance letter from the post secondary institution you are planning on attending.
  5. Must be a positive role model. (Submit a brief essay outlining your involvement in both school and community).

Deadline for applications is June 10, 2020

Acadia First Nation Post Secondary Educational Assistance Program 2020

Post Secondary Educational Assistance program packages are now available for band members considering post secondary studies in September 2020.

Deadline for applications is June 15, 2020

For a scholarship application or a post secondary information package or if you have any questions, please contact Janice Francis, AFN Education Director via email:

Weekly Health Update #4 with AFN Community Health Nurse

Published: April 28 2020 13:40

Hi Everyone,

Its week 7 of Covid-19 in Canada, and I know it isn’t getting any easier, having to physically distance from friends and family, and spending more time at home. Over the last week, we’ve had a big range in the number of daily new cases. While we are seeing community spread, Dr. Strang has commented time and time again, that our testing is top of the country, which gives us the ability to quickly isolate cases found and their contacts, reducing the amount of spread. We have to keep up with these public health measures, to make the last 6 weeks count. I thank you for doing your part to keep Covid-19 isolated.

  • Wash your hands frequently, preferably soap and water if you have access, if not, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
  • Sanitize high contact areas of your home frequently: counters, remotes, taps, phones, etc
  • Stay home as much as possible; working from home, no leisure drives (including atv), limiting trips to grocery store and pharmacy as much as possible
  • Maintain 6 ft/2 m distance between you in anyone you come in contact with that is not in your household
  • Ensuring respiratory etiquette (covering coughs and sneezes with elbow)
  • If you have 2 or more symptoms of Covid-19 please call 811 to decide if you required testing
    • fever greater than 38⁰C (100.5⁰F), or symptoms of fever (body aches, chills, weakness, and fatigue)
    • new, or worsening cough
    • sore throat
    • runny nose
    • headache

I will be posting this week about working from home and some helpful tips and tricks. As well as some ways to get movement in, while spending more time at home.

Best links to get information

Please see our Facebook page: AFN Community Health and answer the joining questions for access. Frequent updates, resources, and links will be posted there

Nova Scotia Government: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/

Nova Scotia Health Authority: http://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirus

Government of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html

World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

WHO advising on pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding: https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-on-covid-19-pregnancy-childbirth-and-breastfeeding

Mental Health Provincial Crisis Line: call 24/7 1-888-429-8167

Kids Help Phone: call 24/7 1-800-668-6868
text CONNECT to 686868
or chat online on their website

If there is anything you are looking for more information on or ideas on: nutrition, physical activity during isolation, coping strategies, child and youth health, etc. Please let me know and I can look into helping you as well as the community!

Stay safe and wash your hands

Chelsea Sawyer
Community Health Nurse
O: 902-627-1245
C: 902-277-2297

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COVID-19 Update # 12 from the AFN Health Director | April 27, 2020

Published: April 28 2020 09:08

April 27, 2020

Health Director Update #12

NON-INSURED HEALTH BENEFITS (NIHB) AND COVID-19

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is providing the following information on the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The NIHB program is continuing to provide benefits and services while following the current and evolving public health guidance from health professionals. The following information has been collected from the NIHB program website.

For the most relevant information visit the NIHB program updates page here: https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1578079214611/1578079236012

What should I know?

Pharmacy

  • The NIHB Drug Exception Centre and regional call centers continue to operate and receive calls from clients and providers.
  • Prior approvals for many medications covered under NIHB have been temporarily lifted, and duration of approvals for some medications has been extended.
  • The NIHB program normally covers up to a 100-day supply of chronic medications. In determining the quantity to refill for clients, pharmacists will consider advice from professional associations and regulatory bodies, as well as patient-specific factors. NIHB has asked pharmacists to consider the unique living circumstances of some NIHB clients (for example, the need to travel long distances to a pharmacy).

Mental Health Counselling

  • NIHB covers mental health counselling through telephone or video conferencing. Contact your mental health service provider to confirm whether they can provide counselling services through tele-health.
  • To find an enrolled mental health counsellor in your area, please contact your NIHB regional office here: https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1579274812116/ 1579708265237 Medical Transportation
  • NIHB is continuing to support clients who need medical transportation benefits to access urgent and essential medical services.
  • Vulnerable clients will be supported by prioritizing private modes of transportation, such as use of their own vehicle or having a family member drive them.
  • Check with your health or benefit service provider to confirm whether routine, non-urgent appointments should be postponed.

Medical Supplies and Equipment (MS&E)

  • The regional offices continue to operate and receive calls from clients and providers.
  • Those with serious medical conditions, compromised immune systems, and adults of 70 years or over will have their MS&E benefit requests reviewed as a priority.
  • If you are unable to see your prescriber to get a new prescription for the replacement of equipment or supplies, your provider may use the existing prescription on file for the replacement of:
    • limb and body orthotics,
    • custom shoes and orthotics,
    • medical grade compression stockings,
    • mobility equipment,
    • incontinence and ostomy supplies,
    • self-care benefits.
  • If you are unable to see your physician, testing requirements (ABG and oximetry testing) are being waived for clients applying for 9 month, 1 year and yearly renewal coverage for home supplemental oxygen.
  • For circumstances caused by the current COVID-19 pandemic, higher quantities of supplies can be requested without medical justification.
  • Please contact your regional office if you have questions about MS&E benefits. Dental and Vision
  • Non-emergency services should be postponed. Call your provider’s office to see if any scheduled appointments have been cancelled or postponed.

Updates and resources: Government of Canada COVID-19 updates:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html

Outbreak Update: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html

Regional Office Contacts: https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1579274812116/1579708265237

Marla Robinson-Pyne
Health Director Acadia First Nation
Phone: (902)742-0257

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