Tsartlip First Nation is happy to announce this year’s Spring Health Fair – the first event after the pandemic providing health education and resources to the Tsartlip community – was a resounding success, drawing an enthusiastic crowd and offering health education by a wide variety of health professionals.
This year’s Fair took place on April 23, 2024 from 3-6PM. Over 100 community members gathered at the Tsartlip Health Building to attend, excited to learn and participate in the activities of the day.
More than twenty different health representatives attended the event to share their expertise and share the numerous available health services and resources. The representatives in attendance provided information on a wide array of topics, including Elder care, diabetes education, benefits access, speech and language, and groups for Tsartlip youth. The event also included harm reduction education by QomQem, and the launch of the “Safer Way” Tsartlip’s Harm Reduction Program.
There was, as always, a lot of fun to be had, with activities for kids, a delicious dinner and snacks, and prizes to win. The first twenty guests to arrive received a $25 Walmart gift card, and all attendees were invited to enter a raffle to win a gift basket full of goodies made by local artists. On top of it all, every attendee had their choice of free swag.
The event not only showcased the range of available health services, but it also strengthened community bonds where the Tsartlip Community Health Team had the opportunity to build relationships with the community. The Tsartlip Community Health Nurses – Rosa and Deb – especially enjoyed having an opportunity to interact with community members face-to-face and to answer questions.
Others available to answer questions for community members included Tsartlip Food Security Coordinator Julia, Mandy and Patti of WSANEC Primary Care, Pharmasave Pharmacist Colin, Dietician Amanda, Diabetes Educator Judith, the Children’s Oral Health Initiative (COHI) program, Liz and Suzanne of the Maternal Child Health Program, NIȽ TU,O, along with QomQem Mental Health and Substance Use Services.
Tsartlip looks forward to continuing this tradition and building on this success at the next health fair in Spring of 2025.
