On September 19th, 2024, SC’IȺNEW Nation held its annual Health Fair to bring health and wellness resources to the community.

This year’s Health Fair – which took place at the Community Building from 10 AM to 2 PM – included free lunch, fun door prizes, and an opportunity for health and wellness-focused community organizations to educate and provide resources to SC’IȺNEW Nation community members.

Community organizations in attendance included Island Health, the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre, the British Columbia Ambulance Service, Wheely Clean Mobile Dental Hygiene Clinic, First Nations Health Authority, and Sooke School District. Other providers present included nutritionists, counsellors, mental health educators, and addiction and substance use specialists. With so many community organizations and providers in attendance, the Fair filled both the indoor and outdoor spaces of the Community Building.

The organizations present went well beyond handing out pamphlets and literature, offering an impactful, interactive experience to attendees. Community members who attended the Health Fair had the opportunity to receive blood pressure and blood glucose testing, take hearing tests, pick up compression stockings, check vaccine status, and have custom-made orthotics fitted.

With so many offerings, it’s no surprise that SC’IȺNEW Nation community members, Elders, and even folks from surrounding communities took the time to attend. Krista Johnny – Beecher Bay First Nation’s Health Lead and a key organizer for the Health Fair – shared, “The most memorable part was seeing our Elders out and about and visiting with everyone.”

Johnny also expressed gratitude that the Health Fair provided an opportunity for community members to learn about the abundance of resources available, sharing, “An event like this is important for SC’IȺNEW, so our community members can know what organizations and supports are out there.” She continued, “The feedback I got that day was, ‘I had no idea all of these people were here to help us and support us.’”

In future years, Johnny anticipates the Health Fair will only improve, creating an even greater impact on the health of the community. In her words, “It’s just going to get bigger and better, especially with our new building. We’ll have more room, we will be able to do it in any weather, and so it will grow.”

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