Thank you to our Community Partners & Guiding Colleagues
XaaydaGa Dlaang Society are blessed to have many partners and colleagues who share a common goal to improve the health and wellbeing of the Skidegate community. We cannot thank you enough for your commitment and continued support this year. As we move forward from the impacts and restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic that tested us all, we know that through those tough times, we all became resourceful and innovative, and our partnerships are strengthened.
COVID-19 PANDEMIC PARTNERSHIPS – SKIDEGATE BAND COUNCIL, COUNCIL OF THE HAIDA NATION, NIISLAA NAAY HEALING HOUSE SOCIETY, AND GWAII HAANAS
The Society worked closely with the above mentioned partners throughout the height of the pandemic to ensure we could support the community through the difficult and precarious times bought upon us by COVID-19. Although the pandemic and its restrictions have now subsided, our Society continues to maintain relationships with our key partners as we look back at our experiences and seek to build resilience for the future. We are blessed to have maintained a strong relationship with our partners.
FIRST NATIONS HEALTH AUTHORITY
The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) are our primary funder of service provision in Skidegate. This year, we continue to build our relationships with the FNHA as we have done since they began distributing funding in 2013. We are fortunate and grateful that the FNHA remains open to working with us closely to ensure we are empowered to deliver the best outcomes for our community within the scope of existing policies and mandates. We are also grateful for the support from the Community Engagement Coordinator and regional team at FNHA who listen to our feedback and input about where existing policies and mandates could be improved and ensure it is heard within the FNHA.
NORTHERN HEALTH AUTHORITY
The Northern Health Authority (NHA) continued to support and collaborate with us to ensure the Skidegate community could receive all the care they need, even when it was outside the capabilities of the Society. We meet with the NHA on a regular basis to progress a range of initiatives and priorities, including the weekly Doctor’s Clinic which is vital to the community’s health and wellbeing. We owe our sincere thanks to the NHA and its staff for their ongoing efforts which listen to client health needs as voiced by the community and provide support accordingly.
Services and Program Delivery Partnerships to Support Community Members
TO OUR SERVICE AND PROGRAM DELIVERY PARTNERS AND FUNDERS – HAAWA
Islands Wellness Society
We continue to partner with the Islands Wellness Society for Women’s Wellness Counselling, food security, post natal care, and Victim Services. Our mental health team have partnered with the women’s counsellor to provide ongoing therapy groups.
Suter Brook Optometry Clinic
At minimum, three times per year, an optometrist travels to Skidegate and holds a week long optometry clinic for all community members. This service is open to all residents of Haida Gwaii and is booked to capacity each time.
Burnaby Orthopedic Clinic
Our association with the Burnaby Orthopedic Clinic continues with its popular service. Staff from the clinic visit quarterly and work with individuals to measure for braces, orthotics, and breast prosthesis. Visits are timed to follow Orthopaedic Specialist visits so that braces and appliances can be made in a timely fashion.
Audiology Clinic
Three times per year, an Audiologist visits the community to hold a week long audiology clinic for community members. Provision of this service on island to all south end Haida Gwaii residents reduces the need for our Elderly and others to travel off island.
Public Health Team
The Community Health Nurse has always had a close working relationship with the Daajing Giids Public Health Nursing program and there is collaboration with school immunization and flu clinics.
Mammogram Clinic
Yearly, t he m obile m ammogram c linic v isits t he S kidegate H ealth C entre a nd p rovides m ammogram f or communities of the Islands. This clinic is always well attended.
Diabetes Clinic
Yearly the Diabetes team holds a clinic at the Skidegate Health Centre. This team of three does blood and urine tests and diabetes counselling. This is a great service for our community as the rate of Type2 diabetics is high in Skidegate. Our CHR is key to bringing people to these clinics as she sets up appointments and provides great food and prizes.
The South Island Mental Health and Addictions (SIMHA):
SIMHA meetings continued, allowing various agencies that work with our community to share resources, planning, and support.
Weekly Doctor’s Clinic:
A physician from the Daajing Giids Clinic comes every Thursday to see clients in our health centre and we are grateful to be able to have access to these primary care services right in community
Naturopath Clinics and all visiting complementary Alternative Medicine practitioners:
Naturopath and other alternative medicine practitioners regularly visit our Health Centre to provide services to our clients and we are grateful to have this as an option to support the community’s health and wellbeing needs.