Island Health to celebrate Aboriginal Week with traditional events across the region

June 13, 2014

VANCOUVER ISLAND— Members of the media and public are invited to participate in celebrations occurring at five Island Health sites during Island Health Aboriginal Week—the week leading up to National Aboriginal Day, June 21.

Events will feature Aboriginal staff recognition activities, cultural dance demonstrations, Aboriginal artisans, traditional foods, and an opportunity to meet members of our Aboriginal Health and Aboriginal Employment teams.  The celebrations will be held from 11:00am to 2:00pm on the following dates in communities across the Island Health service region:

Monday, June 16 at Cormorant Island – Health Centre (Emergency entrance, lawn area)
Tuesday, June 17 at Campbell River Hospital  (Courtyard)
Wednesday, June 18 at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (Across from the cafeteria)
Thursday, June 19 at Cowichan District Hospital (Front lawn area)
Friday, June 20 at Royal Jubilee Hospital (All Nations Healing Room, Patient Care Centre)

These events will celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of our approximately 480 dedicated Aboriginal employees who help make Island Health a diverse and culturally enriched workplace.  Members of the public are welcome to attend.

Each day, there are over 300 job postings which offer employment in more than 150 job sites including hospitals, clinics, health care centres, health care units and residential facilities. Island Health’s Aboriginal Recruitment and Retention Services report more than 230 new hires of persons who self-identified as being of Aboriginal descent since 2011.

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South Island Media Contact:
Sarah Plank
Media Relations Manager
Phone: 250.727.4275
Email: sarah.plank@viha.ca

Central & North Island Media Contact:
Val Wilson
Regional Communications Manager
Phone: 250.739.6303
Email: valerie.wilson@viha.ca

NT5