CHR Award Winner
2003
Beatrice MORRIS
Beatrice and
Karen Keshane
The National
Indian and Inuit Community Health Representatives Organization
has recognized a Community Health Representative who has provided
exceptional service to her community.
*Lupus
is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect various parts
of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys.
For most people, lupus is a mild disease affecting only a few
organs. For others, it may cause serious and even life-threatening
problems. Lupus can affect men, women, and children of any age,
but it occurs most often in women of the ages of 15 to 45.1
This year, an
amount of $1,000 was awarded to Beatrice Morris, a 61-year-old
CHR from the 5,000 strong Wet’suwet’en Nation, in the
Northern Interior of British Columbia. Beatrice has dedicated
31 years of health service to her community of Moricetown.
Wet’suwet’en translates to “The People of the Lower
Hills” and their nation includes the First Nations communities
of Hagwilget, Moricetown, Broman Lake, Burns Lake, Skin Tyee,
and Nee Tahi Buhn. Moricetown is located 690 miles north of Vancouver
in the interior of British Columbia.
Beatrice is well known for the fundraising benefits that she holds
in her spare time to raise money to take elders on field trips,
retreats and religious pilgrimages. She also is very busy visiting
elders who need their blood pressure and sugar levels
measured.
Recently, Beatrice accomplished a remarkable feat when she and
her niece completed a 1,350-mile walk through the mountains and
valleys from Moricetown to Kelowna, located in the southern part
of the province. Beatrice went on this walk to show support and
raise awareness of the little-known disease lupus* which has affected
her nephew.
Persons close to Beatrice had nothing but glowing remarks to say
on her behalf. Her younger sister Mary Alice Namox had this to
say about her: “Beatrice is a kind and considerate person.
She treats everyone equally whether they are young or old, rich
or poor. She never judges people and provides whatever help people
need.” Paula Morris from Moricetown commented, “She
visits and talks to the elders, makes sure they receive the proper
treatment and care.”
Not only does Beatrice sing in her Athapaskan language, but she
drums and speaks her Native tongue which helps her make a special
connection with her elders. She will be retiring soon and will
be greatly missed by the many elders who have come to know and
depend upon her. Congratulations Beatrice, it is an honor to have
presented this award to you. Your hard work, dedication and many
accomplishments have proven to be an exemplary asset to your community!
1 Lupus Foundation
of America at http://www.lupus.org/education/factsheet.html
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CHR Award 2002 Honours
Julia Adams
Congratulations to Julia Adams
of Gitwinksihlkw, British Columbia, for being awarded the 2002
CHR Award. Every year NIICHRO makes an award of $1,000 to a CHR
who models success and excellence in the field of Community Health.
Lorna E. Azak, also from Gitwinksihlkw, nominated Ms. Adams.
Julia has served as a CHR for 31 years. She belongs to the Raven
tribe. Gitwinksihlkw has a population of 300 people and 60 homes.
She was first employed by the Medical Services Branch in 1970
and was transferred to the Gitwinksihlkw Band Council in 1974.
A small clinic was built in the community in 1974. But in 1984,
with the direction of the Nisga'a people, the Nisga'a Valley
Health Board was established to oversee the delivery of health
care for the people. The CHR program was transferred to this
board and a new and larger clinic was built in Gitwinksihlkw
called the Wilp Haldaakws (House of Medicine). Julia was promoted
in January 2001 to be the supervisor of six Community Cultural
Health Representatives (CCHRs) and manages the House of Medicine
Clinic that has four employees.
Before Julia was hired in 1970, the Salvation Army officers were
in charge of the medical dispensary and were acting nurses in
the community. As there was no building, Julia had the medical
dispensary moved into her home and treated colds and minor cuts.
If the patients needed medication for major illnesses, Julia
would contact the doctor on call at the Terrace Memorial Hospital
and was directed on the medication to administer to the patients.
Doctors and/or nurses visited the community only once a month
- but Julia was on call 24 hours a day! Today there are three
doctors and seven nurses employed by the Nisga'a Valley Health
Board.
Julia first trained at the Miller Bay Hospital located 15 km
outside of Prince Rupert - and it included First Aid, Home Care
Nursing, nutrition, sanitation (how to build proper outdoor toilets
with concrete), administration forms, communication and public
speaking, and STDs. Her training continued at the Malaspina College
in Nanaimo, the Trainer of Trainers Facilitation course at the
University of British Columbia in Vancouver and Sal'i'shan Institute
Society at Narameta. She has completed a certificate in Nisga'a
Studies, a certificate and B.A. in First Nations Studies and
just graduated from UNBC in Prince George in May 2001.
Congratulations Julia, on these outstanding accomplishments!
We wish you every success in your job and future endeavors. |
