Feed the People returns to in-person event

Gathering takes place Dec. 14, with a bus running from the Port Alberni Friendship Centre to the Athletic Hall

By Konnar Oliver Ha-Shilth-Sa Contributor

Port Alberni, BC - It’s been three years since the annual Christmas luncheon held by Teechuktl Mental Health Services has been able to happen in person, and preparations are now underway to make sure Feed the People goes off without a hitch. Teechuktl holds public meals twice yearly, once in the summer and once in the winter, a tradition for the past 12 years after being started by the late Ray Seitcher. Irene Robinson of the Teechuktl Mental Health Services has been involved in the organizing process for the past four years. “He decided to have a turkey dinner with all the trimmings,” explained Robinson. “His goal was low-income people and homeless, but anyone’s allowed to attend. When he started it, it was small and he wanted everything done by donation because he wanted the people that he was welcoming in, he wanted them to know that we weren’t just doing it because it’s a job. He wanted them to know that we really worried about them and cared for them and loved them, and that there’s always someone there caring for them.” When she started working on the event, it was hosted in a small church with 120150 people attending. This year, they are planning on having attendance closer to 500. Homelessness has been a growing issue throughout the province and Vancouver Island, and Port Alberni is no exception. As of a 2021 count performed by BC Housing, there were 125 homeless people in the city. 65 per cent of those people identifi ed themselves as being Indigenous, despite the fact that, as of the 2016 census, the Aboriginal population of Port Alberni was only 17 per cent. It has not been easy to run the event for the last few years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Year one, an in-person gathering was not able to happen, and instead Teechuktl staff delivered meals. In 2021 caterers were hired, and volunteers and staff delivered meals to those who needed them. But not all was negative for those years, explains Robinson. “That one year we had a lot of people step up,” she said. “We went to a meeting, I can’t remember what the name of the committee was, but it was all representatives from all the bands were there

Photo by Eric Plummer An in-person Feed the People event has not been held since 2019, due to COVID-19 restrictions, but the gathering returns to the Alberni Athletic Hall this year. and one guy there challenged the others. He put in $500 of his own money and challenged the others.” The others answered, and they ended up with more donations than they expected. It was not just money either, as the Huuay-aht First Nations ended up donating enough frozen, canned, and smoked fi sh that they could make food baskets to go out to people as well. But all this left a question, what to do with the extra money? “[Someone] said, ‘Well, why don’t we get presents for the kids?’ So that’s what we did,” said Robinson. “We got the names of people we were delivering to, who had kids and how old they were, and they went out and bought gifts and wrapped them.” The generosity of previous years has been carried onto this one as well. The Alberni Athletic Hall has donated the use of their centre for the event at no cost, and Teechuktl Mental Health Services received enough donations that they have been able to buy all of the food necessary. The community has been stepping up in other ways as well, said Robinson. “We’ve been working with Haahuupayak,” she said. “The students up there have a unit on community and the teachers wanted them to see what community looked like. So they’ve been volunteering, coming up to Feed the People... we ask for gently used coats and boots and clothing, just anything people might need. And the Haahuupayak students organize the [clothing] table.” Those same students also help with decorating the tables and serving water, and will be holding a bake sale on November 30, with all funds raised going to the event. The Teechuktl Mental Health Services has also reached out to local high schools, as students need a set amount of volunteer hours to graduate. “We reached out to [the Nuu-ChahNulth education team] at the high school and they’re looking at Grade 12 NuuChah-Nulth students who need volunteer hours to graduate. And if they’re available and want to come then we’ll keep track of their hours and hand those in,” said Robinson. Not everything is accounted for yet though. “The food has been bought, but we really need socks, gloves, hats, like touques. Because people who are homeless, this is what they need to try to stay warm. We also need door prizes and door prizes can be anything,” she explained. Any donations can be brought to the Port Alberni Teechuktl Mental Health Service offi ce, in the old Redford School building at 4841 Redford Street. Feed the People will be taking place on Wednesday, December 14, with doors opening at 11:30 in the morning. A bus will be available from the Port Alberni Friendship Centre to the Athletic Hall beginning at 10:30 on. If it is a cold day, there will be an area inside in which people can wait for the bus. While organizing an event like this is not always easy, Robinson says that the sense of community and the appreciation from those who need it makes it all worth it. “These people, they struggle all year. And they’re just so happy that they’re getting together and being fed and talking to their friends. Just the smiles and the happiness that is at the event, it makes it all worthwhile.”

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Health Corner

11 tips to feed your inner bear this winter

For many of us winter is a time to ‘den up.’ It is colder, stormier, and the days are shorter.

Winter season can change our eating habits. We are hungrier and want foods that ‘warm’ and comfort us. Our inner ‘bear’ comes out!

Plus, we are often at home more, often because the weather is too cold, wet or icy to spend as much time outside, or because it is dark early.

Winter is a great time to enjoy the foods that satisfy your inner bear, warm you, and keep you healthy.

• Soup: It’s a great way to get more of all the foods you need to be healthy. Soups are a great way to use up vegetables from the fridge or freezer. They have lots of good nutrients and more fi bre. Soups can use up anything and taste great. Saving your leftovers will help you save money by not wasting good food. It’s dinner in a pinch, or it can even be a snack. • Make a Casserole: With a casserole you are able to use economical cuts of meat (blade steak, chuck steak, chops) with slow cooking methods. Red meat is high in zinc and iron, two minerals that boost the immune system. Legumes (chickpeas, kidney beans, soybeans) are an excellent protein source, low fat, high fi bre, low GI and economical.

A casserole with meat, vegetables and a can of beans is a great way to boost your ability to fi ght disease, as well as being real comfort food. • Citrus Fruits: While most fresh fruit is in short supply, oranges, mandarins, apples are in season!

I always have a box of mandarin oranges to snack on, and you can make a great salad with some citrus and winter greens, like Swiss chard, chicory, or kale. • Broccoli, Cabbage, and Brussels

Sprouts: These are great fresh or frozen, and in season too. While sprouts are great for a Christmas feast, cabbage is wonderful in a salad or made into cabbage rolls or a stir fry. They also last well in the fridge are in the superfood family! • Salmon: Salmon is another amazing winter food! Not only high in protein, it also is a good source of vitamin D and omega 3 fatty acids.

A double bonus to help with your immune system, help with your bone health, and boosts mood. • Vitamin D: We get more vitamin

D because the sun is strong enough to help us make vitamin D for ourselves. In winter will still need this vitamin. If you are not eating fatty fi sh like salmon, or drinking milk, you might also think about a vitamin D supplement, especially if you are an elder or for a newborn.

Talk to a dietitian or nurse to fi nd out more. • Watch your portions: It is very tempting to snack on foods, eat a large plate of food and have seconds, when you are indoors all evening. To avoid eating too much try to: o Try to eat your meals at the table with the family, o Turn off the TV, o Use smaller plates, o Reserve half your dinner plate for vegetables • Make healthful swaps or eat healthy foods fi rst, before having a dessert. Add foods that are lower in fat, sugar and salt, and have higher fi bre (aim for 4 gm/serving), or are higher in protein • Stay hydrated! Some of the best winter treats are tea and warm drinks. o Sometimes we feel ‘hungry’ but really we are thirsty. Try a warming drink like tea or even just hot water with lemon. You may not be hungry for a snack, but thirsty for a drink.

• Eat Plenty of Fruit & Vegetables.

Top up your immune system by eating antioxidant-containing fruit and vegetables. o Choose fruits and vegetables that are in season such as man darin, apples, grapefruit, broc coli, brussel sprouts, carrots, and caulifl ower. o Make the most of frozen and canned fruits, which are readily available, and cheaper, at this time of year. o Try making each meal or snack half fruit or veggie is a good guideline to follow. • Keep moving. Find an indoor sport or exercise class, rug up and brave the elements for a walk and arrange to meet a friend so that you have to turn up. Every step counts!

Learning what your body needs is a lifelong journey, day by day. Hopefully some of these tips will help us all feel happy and healthy this winter.

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Port Alberni Friendship Centre Volunteers Needed

Need work experience? The Port Alberni Friendship Centre is looking for interested applicants for various positions. Call 250-723-8281

Events

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Non-Insured Health Benefi ts - NIHB Coverage – Travelling Out Side Of Country

General Principles

1. Prior approval is required.

2. The client must: a. Be eligible for the NIHB Program; and b. Be currently enrolled or eligible to be enrolled in a provincial or territorial health insurance plan and continue to meet residency requirements for provincial/territorial health coverage.

3. For Transportation to Medical Services: For transportation to medical services outside of the country the client must be referred for provincially/territorially insured medical services by a provincial or territorial health care plan for treatment Shaganappi Plaza: wage change for Building Maintenance and Superintendent Windspeaker.com http://www.windspeaker.com/news/sweetgrass-news/building-maintenanceand-superintendent/ ammsa.com http://www.ammsa.com/content/careers/shaganappi-plaza-ltd-calgary outside of Canada.

4. For Supplemental Health Insurance Premiums: Full-time students enrolled in a post-secondary institution to study outside of Canada must provide a letter of confi rmation that tuition, which is not an eligible benefi t under the NIHB Program, has been paid.

What is covered?

For Supplemental Health Insurance Premiums: -

The cost of privately acquired health insurance premiums for approved students or migrant workers and their legal dependents will be reimbursed.

For Transportation to Medical Services: -

Transportation benefi ts when eligible clients are medically referred and approved for treatment outside of Canada by a provincial or territorial health care plan.

For further information on coverage outside of Country you are encouraged to call First Nations & Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB), Vancouver BC toll free @ 1-800-317-7878

What You Should Know- “Before” Leaving British Columbia

If you are leaving the province, you should be aware that your coverage may not pay all health care costs.

Health services provided outside Canada often cost more than the amount paid by the Ministry of Health Services. Sometimes the diff erence is substantial; for example, the amount we pay for emergency inpatient hospital care will not exceed $75 (Canadian) a day for United States of exceeds $1,000 (US) per day and can be as high as $10,000 a day for intensive care.

In addition, some items/services that may be a benefi t in BC are not covered outside the province; for example, prescription drugs and optometric services. Further, the Ministry does not subsidize fees charged for ambulance service obtained outside BC.

We advise you to buy additional health insurance to supplement your basic coverage before you leave the province, regardless of whether you’ll be in another part of Canada or outside the country – even if your company or travel agency can advise you about extra coverage to pay for any diff erence in fees and to provide benefi ts not covered by the Ministry. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you must mention this when purchasing additional insurance as most policies will not cover treatment of that condition outside the province.

In some cases you may purchase an insurance policy where the insurance company has a signed agreement with the Ministry. This permits the company to pay physician and hospital claims and receive reimbursement on your behalf thus eliminating the need for you to handle your own claims.

NOTE: Ambulance – If you require ambulance service while in another province or outside Canada, you will need to obtain service from an ambulance company in that jurisdiction and will be charged the fee established by the-out-of-province service provider. Fees range from several hundred to several thousand dollars.

When purchasing additional out-of-province health insurance you are advised to obtain insurance that will cover emergency transportation while you are away and, if necessary the cost of transportation back to BC.

Meares Island centre undergoes upgrades

Benefi Å ing from $400,000 in improvements, the centre serves as a gathering space for Opitsaht community

By Karly Blats Ha-Shilth-Sa Contributor

Opitsaht, BC - The Meares Island Cultural Centre will get some modernizing upgrades thanks to funding from the First Peoples’ Cultural Council. The Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation was awarded $400,000 from the FPCC as part of more than $5.4 million to support 16 projects that conserve, repair and develop First Nations heritage infrastructure in B.C. The projects are made possible with funding from the Province of British Columbia’s 150 Time Immemorial Grant Program to the First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation. “The bulk of the money is going to be spent on improvements to the MICC,” said Jim Chisholm, tribal administrator with the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation. “It’s a bit of updating on the inside, [the MICC] is an older building, so improvements will involve updates to the interior.” Chisholm said upgrades will help modernize the older building and will also include benches being installed along the walkway to the centre. Chisholm said the MICC is primarily used by Opitsaht community members for meetings and gatherings. “It’s not really designed for tourism… really the intent isn’t for tourism but more for the residents of Meares Island,” Chisholm said According to a press release, the FPCC received 63 submissions in response to this funding opportunity and was able to fund 25 per cent of applicants. Funding is awarded by an external peer review process comprised of First Nations experts in Aboriginal heritage. The funds are managed by the First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation and FPCC administers the grants and provides ongoing support to recipients for project management, work plans and knowledge transfer. “This funding is vital to ensure Indigenous heritage in B.C. is protected for future generations,” said Karen Aird, FPCC heritage program manager in a Nathan Cullen press release. “This investment enables First Nations communities to lead work to safeguard their cultural spaces and heritage collections, and demonstrates the urgent need for long-term, sustainable funding to protect First Nations heritage.” The projects are part of the FPCC Heritage Infrastructure Program supporting First Nations communities in their work to safeguard and celebrate their heritage. Projects receive two-year funding to conserve structures and heritage sites, with work to be completed by February 2024. The project proposals reveal the ways that heritage and culture are intertwined in every part of Indigenous life and speak to the signifi cance of how these spaces are used and shared. “The B.C. Government is committed to working with Indigenous peoples on a path towards lasting reconciliation,” said Nathan Cullen, minister of Municipal Affairs in the release. “Supporting projects that contribute to First Nations communities as they work to secure their cultural and other signifi cant spaces, is one way the province is contributing to that much broader and critical goal.” Funded projects range from new initiatives, to upgrades and improvements to existing spaces. Examples of current projects include museum construction, cemetery restoration and trail upgrades to access important cultural areas.

Looking for......

Usma Nuu-chah-nulth Family and Child Services are looking for individual/s or families who are interested in caregiving for teens with high-risk behaviors. The Caregiver(s) would provide 24-hour care in a culturally safe and suppor! ve environment, responding eff ec! vely to challenging behaviours. Compensa! on would be built around the specifi c needs of the youth and the Caregiver, and could include both direct services and fi nancial support to allow Caregivers to meet the needs of the youth.