Yúustway
Health & Wellness

The team’s objectives include identifying and developing community-specific health promotion and disease prevention programs and resources, offering advocacy and support to community members in their pursuit of health services, and advocating for national-level policy changes aimed at enhancing overall health and improving access to funding for Indigenous People.

• Health prevention and awareness services.
• Provision of contact and program information related to First Nations Health Authority Non-Insured Health Benefits.
• Support in completing First Nations Health Authority forms and applications.
• Advocacy and assistance in the follow-up of various applications to First Nations Health Authority.
• Management and administration of the Squamish Nation Emergency Health Benefits Program(see below).
• Coordination of Medical Transportation funding in accordance with First Nations Health Authority policy and procedures.
• Support and referrals to other health services provided by the provincial government, Vancouver Coastal Health, and other organizations, including hosting community clinics for diabetes, mammograms, hearing tests, and vision screenings.

The SNEHB program operates on a fiscal year basis (from April 1 to March 31) and is driven by income verification supported by the Nation. The Health Benefits Advocacy & Promotion team oversees the distribution of funds to support health-related goods and services that are not covered by the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) Health Benefits Program or other extended health benefits. This also includes the administration of Medical Patient Transportation benefits on behalf of FNHA for our on-reserve population.

For further information or to complete the intake process, please get in touch with the Advocacy Officer or Administrative Coordinator (phone: 604-982-0332).

Home Inspections
Periodically, homeowners within the Nation request inspections of their homes for various reasons, which may include concerns related to air quality, contaminants, pest control, water supply, solid and liquid waste disposal, general safety, structural integrity, and overcrowding. 

The Health Benefits Advocacy & Promotion team at Yúustway is responsible for receiving requests for home inspections, facilitating the coordination of home inspections with the FNHA Environmental Health Office and Nexwsp’áyaḵen ta Úxwumixw (Community Operations), and communicating with community members once formal inspection reports have been received. 

Water Monitoring
Water monitoring is of utmost importance to guarantee the safety of drinking water for our communities. 

Individuals responsible for collecting, testing, and shipping water samples undergo training conducted by the FNHA Environmental Health Office to ensure the proper gathering and testing of samples. The designated water monitor will collect and test weekly water samples from various on-reserve locations on a rotating basis. Additionally, the designated water monitor will package and send water samples to the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) on a monthly basis for further testing. 

Plan W is designed to meet the unique needs of B.C. First Nations. Plan W covers 100 percent of:

• Eligible prescription costs
• Certain medical supplies
• Certain over-the-counter drugs
• Some natural health products
• Pharmacy services

Click here to learn more.

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Discover the convenience of accessing Plan W medications, covered by BC Pharmacare Plan and the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), through these straightforward steps:

1. During your next visit to your General Practitioner, request a prescription with refills.

2. If you’re pressed for time or unable to see your General Practitioner, you can visit a local pharmacy where a pharmacist can assist you in obtaining a range of over-the-counter (OTC) medications, including:

• Pain and fever relief (Advil, Tylenol)
• Stroke and heart attack prevention (Aspirin)
• Skin infection/cuts and scrapes treatment (Polysporin ointment and cream)
• Lactose intolerance remedy (Lactaid)
• Dandruff shampoo (Nizoral, Selsun Blue)
• Vitamins and minerals (Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin B-1, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, and Iron)
• Acne management (Benzagel 5% gel, Benzagel 5% wash)
• Allergy relief (Aerius, Benadryl, Claritin, Reactine)
• Eye infection treatment (Polysporin eye/ear drops, Refresh Tears)
• Child nutrition supplements (D-Vi-Sol Infants, children’s multivitamins)
• Constipation relief (Peg 330, sennosides, bisacodyl, fiber, mineral oil)
• Diabetes supplies (alcohol wipes, test strips, needles, sharps containers)
• Emergency contraceptives (Plan B/Contingency One)
• Fungal infections treatment (Canesten, Micatin)
• Yeast infections management (Canesten, Monistat)
• Lice treatment (Nix, Resultz, Nyda)
• Pre-natal vitamins (Materna, folic acid)
• Bi-peglyte kit
• Imodium/Gravol
• Voltaren