Multi-talented CHR Connie Gordon enthralls the AGM audience with her rendition of a Patsy Cline song

This year, CHRs are asked to mark their calendars on September 18 for an important event that had its beginning at the 1994 NIICHRO Annual Meeting. This was when a resolution declared the third Thursday of September each year as the National Day of Community Health Representatives.
It is a day for all CHRs to organize activities that promote community understanding of their role as health workers who work in prevention, education and promotion. It also
provides an opportunity for others in the community, such as Health Centres, Band Offices, and Social Services to express their utmost appreciation to CHRs for all of the contributions they make towards the community’s health. Alfred Moses, CHR in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, had this to say about CHR Day:
“We haven’t decided exactly what we will be doing this year, but an idea being tossed around is to give each CHR a certificate of appreciation and a box of chocolates. Also, a letter of
appreciation addressed to CHRs and published in the local newspaper would be nice.”
When Alfred was asked why he believes CHR Day is important, he responded, “Sometimes, they are forgotten. It’s important to acknowledge all the hard work they do as frontline workers.”
Julie Chalmers, CHR at the Sioux Valley Health Centre in Griswold, Manitoba, has planned a multitude of activities:
“I’m planning on a day of fun activities, starting with a walk for
diabetes to promote our ‘Diabetes Support Group’ and ‘100 km Walking Club’. The rest of the day will be taken up with health-promoting physical activities such as foot races, horseshoes, basketball, tug-of-war and any other games I can think of. There will be fun prizes to give away, balloons for the
children and we’ll finish off the day with a barbeque. Now I’ll just have to hope for a beautiful sunny day for our activities!”
To mark CHR Awareness Day, Connie Gordon, CHR from Gordon’s First Nation, will set up an information booth at the Treaty Four celebrations in Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan. Each year the many bands that make up the Treaty 4 region get together for a week of celebrations that include meetings, talents shows, entertainment and a pow-wow. The festivities attract many people and it is in this setting that Connie is able to bring to the public an awareness of a CHR’s many responsibilities.

CHR Maggie Pettis (right) learning movements she can use with her frail elderly back home