ABORIGINAL PEOPLE TO BENEFIT FROM ACTNOW BC FUNDING

PRINCE GEORGE – British Columbia’s Aboriginal people will benefit from a $6-million ActNow BC program that will aim to improve their health, announced Gordon Hogg, Minister of State for ActNow BC, Grand Chief Edward John of the First Nations Leadership Council and Margo Greenwood, scientific director of the National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health.

“Closing the gap in health between Aboriginal people and other British Columbians is a key action identified in the First Nations Health Plan following commitments made by the Province, Canada and the First Nations Leadership Council in the Transformative Change Accord signed in 2005,” said Hogg. “We will work closely with Aboriginal organizations toward a common goal of improving overall health through encouraging healthy lifestyle choices.”

On average, Aboriginal people in B.C. face a shorter lifespan than other British Columbians. Through ActNow BC, the provincial government will support Aboriginal communities in encouraging healthier lifestyle choices.

The National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health (NCCAH), BC Initiatives division, located at the University of Northern British Columbia, will work with the BC Assembly of First Nations, First Nations Summit and Union of BC Indian Chiefs in developing key partnerships that will build an ActNow BC program for Aboriginal communities throughout the province. Part of the centre’s work will be the expansion of the Honour Your Health Challenge, a community-based program that raises awareness about health and tobacco misuse.

“We are pleased to begin the important work of implementing the First Nations Health Plan, and leading efforts with the National Collaborating Centre on the Aboriginal ActNow BC initiative,” said Chief John. “This program can be instrumental in initiating transformative change in our communities, and I challenge all First Nations Chiefs and councillors and my fellow members of the First Nations Leadership Council to lead by example in making their own healthy lifestyle choices to demonstrate commitment to the health of our people.”

This funding supports an action item in the First Nations Health Plan announced by the Province of British Columbia and the First Nations Leadership Council in November 2006. The First Nations Health Plan includes 29 actions designed to improve the health status of First Nations people and their communities in B.C.

“The First Nations, Métis and Aboriginal communities of this province have made great strides in improving the health of their people, but the fact remains that Aboriginal health outcomes are below those of other British Columbians and Canadians,” said Greenwood. “Through BC Initiatives and the new Aboriginal ActNow BC program, we intend to support community efforts to find strategies to reverse this trend.”

The National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health in Prince George is one of six centres across Canada established by the Public Health Agency of Canada to serve First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

ActNow BC is a partnership-based cross-ministry health and wellness initiative that promotes healthy living choices to improve the quality of life for all British Columbians.

For more information on ActNow BC, visit www.actnowbc.gov.bc.ca.

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Media contact:	Trish Fougner Public Affairs Bureau 250 356-9814

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