Health

The Kitselas Health Department works with many partners and organizations to provide a continuum of care for the people of the Kitselas community.  Guided by a strong vision for health, the department works to foster good physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.  Setting strategic priorities and long-term planning is the responsibility of the Health Coordinator, who is also responsible for the hiring, supervision of staff and capacity development of the following health programs:


 Kitselas Head Start Preschool Program

This program offers children, aged 2 ½ to 5 years of age, living on-reserve opportunities to utilize their intellectual and creative abilities. The program is offered throughout the school year (September through June) and works with the following components: culture and language; health promotion; education; nutrition; family involvement; and strengthening social support. Kitselas Head Start employs one licensed Early Childhood Educator, and a Responsible Adult who supports the Educator in program activities and outings, and holds a Class 2 drivers license to drive the school bus. The Head Start philosophy focuses on the children and doing what is best for them.

Home Care Program

The Band’s Home Care Worker supports Elders and other people living in their homes who require additional support with home care (laundry, house cleaning, cooking, etc.) and personal care (bathing, foot care, bandage and dressing changes, etc.). Community members of all ages requiring medical care and assistance in their home can contact the Home Care Nurse to be seen.  The Nurse can help monitor health for those living with illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, a heart condition or other chronic illness.

Community Health Programs

The Community Health Nurse is responsible for health education and working with other health care providers in Terrace to give the Kitselas community information on how to stay healthy and avoid getting sick.  The Community Health Nurse also does vaccines for infants and people of all ages to ensure communicable diseases like measles, chicken pox, hepatitis B and seasonal flu do not develop. Pregnant women and mothers with young children can come in to check on pregnancy and how well baby is progressing before and after being born.  They can also attend the weekly Pre-natal Group that meets to discuss health and wellness.  Elders and diabetics meet weekly for the Walking Group where they receive health information, a healthy meal and have a chance to connect with the Community Health Nurse.

The Community Health Representative (CHR) works with the Community Health Nurse to make connections and referrals to other health programs, both on-reserve and in town.  Transportation to and from town for medical appointments is the responsibility of each community member.  In emergency situations, it is possible to request a taxi authorization.  To do this, contact the Community Health Nurse or the Health Coordinator.  Have your name, birth date and Status number ready to give them. 

Kitselas Youth Program

This program operates primarily out of the Youth Centre where kids can hang out play a game of pool, lift weights or just chat.  The Youth Coordinator schedules a workshop night every month where a specific health topic is discussed.  Other fun activities go on regularly, including youth fund raisers, movie nights, special events and guest speakers.

Wellness Program

This program makes referrals to professional counselling services in the greater Terrace area.  The types of counselling available include: grief and loss, relationship, drug and alcohol and Indian Residential School counselling.  Healing Touch services are available at the Band Office to help: relieve pain; lower blood pressure; improve sleep; reduce cravings for drugs and tobacco; improve the body’s resistance to fight off illness; and help the body heal faster and recover better from the effects of surgery.  Also offered is Soul-directed Healing which works with your own belief system – whether religious or cultural, to help you find clarity. Contact the Wellness Worker to book an appointment.
A weekly Women’s Wellness Group offers information on a variety of mental, emotional and spiritual health topics.

Click here for the Wellness Program information pamphlet

Fitness

The Kitselas Fitness Coordinator oversees fitness programming.  Regularly scheduled activities include: workout sessions, basketball, swimming, floor hockey, and belly dancing.  Elders meet regularly for a swim/walk and then go to Happy Gang for lunch. The Sun Run is one of the biggest activities organized every year. A group of dedicated community members train and fundraise all season to attend the annual Sun Run in Vancouver in May. 

Staff Hours of Operation:

Health Coordinator:

Linda Innes  Monday - Friday  8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Personal Care Aide:

Danielle Branco  Monday - Friday  8:45 AM - 12:15 PM

Community Health Nurse:

Orie Shiga, RN  Monday - Thursday  9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Catherine Tanski, RN  Friday 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

 

Contact the Health Department by phoning 250-635-5084


Health Coordinator                 ext. 222
Community Health Nurse       ext. 224
Home Care Worker                ext. 223
Home Care Nurse                  ext. 224
Community Health Rep.         ext. 225
Wellness Worker                    ext. 226
Youth Coordinator                  ext. 229
Head Start/Early Childhood   ext. 238
Fitness Coordinator  Call the main line