Parksville - Qualicum Beach - Port Alberni

Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) supports members and growth within the community through different Divisions. The following programs are part of the People Services Division - Nexwnínlhewá7nem Ch'áwch’aw. Yúustway means to take care of one another/each other, providing quality holistic care in a respectful, safe manner to ensure the health and wellness of all people by empowering the community and offering the tools for living in health from birth to end of life. The following programs are offered through Yúustway:

The Health Benefits Advocacy & Promotion team offers advocacy and support to community members accessing health benefits programs and services administered through the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA). The team helps by 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.

A variety of Recreation activities for Nation Members is offered at Totem Hall in Squamish Valley and at Chief Joe Mathias Centre in North Vancouver. Click HERE for updated program guides.

Yúustway Community Health & Wellness Services Include:

• Alternative Healing & Wellness Services: The team coordinates various alternative healing and wellness services, including the development of personal wellness plans & referral to alternative healing practitioners.
• Mental Health Services: Intake workers provide an initial response and support for community members in North Vancouver and Squamish Valley. Services include referrals to short-term crisis counselling, individual/couples/group counselling, and alternative healing and planning support regarding mental health issues.
• Car 22: Pairs an RCMP officer with a clinical psych nurse/clinician to attend any mental health or substance use crisis, and follows up to ensure the caller is on the right path, offering additional resources as necessary. Members can email to access, or call the non-emergency lines: North Vancouver RCMP 604-985-1311 & West Vancouver PD 604-925-7300. Car 22 can also be dispatched via 911.
• PACT: A mobile community-led team dedicated to responding to crisis calls with mental health and substance use issues on the North Shore. A mental health professional is paired with a peer worker to offer trauma-informed support to those aged 13+ residing in the North Shore area, available Thursday to Sunday from 6:00 PM to 12:00 AM (midnight). Call 1-888-261-7228, text 778-839-1831 or email for assistance.
• Mental Health & Addictions Team: A team of addiction counsellors and clinical social workers work with clients to find meaningful and sustainable solutions. The team can use a variety of tools to provide support including brushing off, candling, Narrative Therapy, CBT, DBT, EFT, EMDR.
• Addiction Services: Addictions Counsellors offer services to Members in North/West Vancouver and Squamish Valley. Services include one-to-one counselling; support in completing treatment assessment/referral/application forms; support in coordinating travel to and from treatment; development of wellness plans, including pre-and post-treatment care; prevention and awareness information; and support and coordination of community-based services (such as talking circles).
• Harm Reduction & Peer Support: This program focuses on the distribution of harm reduction supplies and overdose response supplies, including life-saving naloxone, and on developing education, clinical practices, peer support, and policies to support harm reduction strategies and services.

Yúustway Home & Community Care Services Include:

• Assessing and monitoring health status
• Bathing
• Foot care
• Grooming
• Nutrition and grocery shopping
• Light homemaking
• Medical appointments
• Better at Home Program

Yúustway Workshops and other Recurring Programs includes the following, and more dependent on facilitator/weather limitations

• Diabetes Dinner & Clinic to have blood sugar and cholesterol levels tested, have your kidney function checked, and learn about diabetes
• Immunization Clinics including infant/developing, adult & boosters, and reviewing vaccine records
• Weekly Women's Talking Circle to come as you are, share a meal and receive support
• Weekly Warrior's Circle for men to access a low-barrier group where you share stories, enjoy a meal together and support one another
• Naloxone Training, Drug Checking and AA (Alcoholics Anonymous)

The Kal’númet Primary Care Clinic is currently NOT able to accept new patients; check back for more updates in the future.