National Aboriginal Health Organization launches Get Immunized Information Website and Health Messaging videos

Ottawa, ON - The National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) launched a new
website and health messaging videos to help First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals,
families and communities in Canada make decisions about getting immunization vaccines
at the 9th Canadian Immunization Conference in Quebec City yesterday.

The Get Immunized Information website is a national, bilingual Web-based
clearinghouse of information on immunization and First Nations, Inuit and Métis. It hosts
a collection of culturally-relevant, timely and credible information resources on the
benefits and risks of immunization.

The four part health messaging video series explores First Nations, Inuit and Métis
individual, family and community perspectives on Immunization. They are narrated by
Adam Beach and include interviews with National Aboriginal Role Models who have
chosen careers in Health.

The video topics are:
· A First Nations Perspective on Immunization
· An Inuit Perspective on Immunization
· A Métis Perspective on Immunization
· Perspectives from First Nations, Inuit and Métis on Health Care (also available
with French sub-titles)

“NAHO is committed to improving the health of First Nations, Inuit and Métis
individuals, families and communities through knowledge-based strategies,” said Dr.
Paulette C. Tremblay, CEO of NAHO. “The Get Immunized Information Website and
health messaging videos will help empower individuals and families to make positive,
healthy decisions by gaining a better understanding of immunization.”

The Get Immunized Information Website and health messaging videos are a collaborative
initiative between NAHO and the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) of
Health Canada. It is strengthened by the efforts of non-profit immunization organizations,
health professionals and members of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.

According to FNIHB, on-reserve First Nations have immunization rates about 20 per cent
lower than the general Canadian population, and suffer from higher rates of vaccinepreventable
diseases. Furthermore, some of these diseases result in more hospitalization
for First Nations people than in the general population.

NAHO’s goal with the Get Immunized Information Website and health messaging videos
is to increase awareness of the benefits and risks of immunization for all ages. It will
achieve this with the support of physicians, nurses, community health representatives,
and parents in First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.

The National Aboriginal Health Organization is an Aboriginal-designed and -controlled
body that works to influence and advance the health and well-being of Aboriginal
Peoples through knowledge-based strategies.

For more information or to view the Public Service Announcements, visit:
http://www.getimmunized.ca/information

To view the health messaging videos visit: www.getimmunized.ca/resources
For French sub-titles visit: www.getimmunized.ca/fr

For media inquiries, contact:
Colleen Patterson,
Communications Officer
Toll-free: 1-877-602-4445 ext. 559
(613) 237-9462 ext. 559
Direct: (613) 863-9001
E-mail: cpatterson@naho.ca

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Dr. Paulette C. Tremblay, CEO of National Aboriginal Health Organization named 2010 Champion of Mental Health for the Aboriginal Category

Ottawa, ON —– As part of Mental Awareness Week, the National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) is proud to announce that CEO, Dr. Paulette C. Tremblay was recognized as the 2010 Champion of Mental Health for the Aboriginal Category at the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health awards ceremony dinner held at the Chateau Laurier Hotel on Monday night in Ottawa, ON.


The Champions of Mental Health Awards is an annual event which celebrates individuals and organizations who are dedicated to raising awareness, reducing the stigma associated with mental illness, and advocating for mental health research and care across Canada.

NAHO was recognized for its efforts in providing suicide prevention resources to First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth and youth workers through the Honouring Life Network (HLN) web site.

“The work NAHO is doing to provide culturally relevant suicide prevention is vital to helping First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth have a venue for self expression. The resources on the web site assist youth in having dialogues with others and making positive decisions about their health and well-being.” states Dr. Paulette C. Tremblay. “I am honoured to have accepted this important award on behalf of NAHO.”

Sponsored by Health Canada, the Honouring Life Network web site offers culturally relevant information and resources to help Aboriginal youth and youth workers deal with a problem that has reached crisis proportions in some First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities in Canada.

For more information about the Honouring Life Network, visit www.honouringlife.ca

The National Aboriginal Health Organization advances and promotes the health and well-being of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis through collaborative research, Indigenous Traditional Knowledge, building capacity, and community led initiatives.

For more information about NAHO, visit its web site at www.naho.ca

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For media inquiries, contact:
Colleen Patterson, Senior Communications Officer
Tel: (613) 237-9462 ext. 559 / Toll Free: 1-877-602-4445 ext. 559
Cell: (613) 863-9001 / E-mail: cpatterson[at]naho.ca

NAHO Announces a Contest in Celebration of World Suicide Prevention Day

Ottawa, ON – In celebration of World Suicide Prevention Day, the National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) announces an exciting new contest of the Honouring Life Network (HLN). The HLN is a web site that offers culturally relevant suicide prevention resources and information to First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth and youth workers.

The contest is entitled, How Do YOU Honour Life? and is open to First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth between the ages of 17 to 30.

Dr. Paulette C. Tremblay, Chief Executive Officer of NAHO states, “There is a need to encourage and facilitate positive dialogue with our youth to increase protective factors and decrease the stigma and shame associated with suicide.”

Youth are encouraged to submit an entry into one of three categories: multimedia, visual or written. These will represent creative expressions, experiences, thoughts and initiatives on how they honour life and approach suicide prevention and awareness in their communities.

The top 5 entries in each category will be showcased on the HLN web site to inspire others to Honour Life each and every day. The winner of each category, who will be selected by the HLN Youth Advisory Committee, will receive a free Flip video camera.

For full contest details and information about Honouring Life Network go to www.honouringlife.ca

The National Aboriginal Health Organization advances and promotes the health and well-being of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis through collaborative research, Indigenous traditional knowledge, building capacity, and community led initiatives.

For more information about the National Aboriginal Health Organization visit www.naho.ca

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For media inquiries, contact:
Colleen Patterson, Senior Communications Officer
Tel: (613) 237-9462 ext. 559 / Toll Free: 1-877-602-4445 ext. 559
Cell: (613) 863-9001 / E-mail: cpatterson@naho.ca

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NAHO Congratulates Participants of the 2010 National Inuit Youth and Elders’ Summit

Ottawa (August 19, 2010) – The National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) congratulates the Inuit youth and elders who are currently gathered at the National Inuit Youth and Elders’ Summit in Inuvik, Northwest Territories.

At the Summit, Karin Kettler, Program Coordinator of the NAHO National Aboriginal Role Model Program (NARMP), and 2009-2010 Role Model Asivak Koostachin presented information about NARMP which inspires youth to achieve their goals and supports healthy and positive decision making. The purpose of the presentation was to reach out and encourage Inuit youth to believe in themselves, to set goals, to complete their education, to make healthy lifestyle choices, to dream about future possibilities, to stay focused, to work hard and get involved.

Inuit Tuttarvingat, the Inuit-specific Centre at NAHO, contributed to the Summit by holding a one-day workshop on traditional knowledge with Inuit elders. The workshop allowed discussion with elders about traditional medicines and healing practices, priorities for preserving the information, and how best to share this knowledge with Inuit youth and others in the communities.

“The National Inuit Youth and Elders’ Summit is an ideal venue for NAHO to work with Inuit to encourage healthy choices and share important health information” says Dr. Paulette C. Tremblay, CEO of NAHO. “It is such a privilege to be able to work with the elders and youth at this year’s Summit and NAHO applauds the National Inuit Youth Council for their dedication and exemplary efforts in organizing this important event.”
The Summit kicked off on August 16th and wraps up tomorrow.
The National Aboriginal Health Organization advances and promotes the health and well-being of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis through collaborative research, Indigenous traditional knowledge, building capacity, and community led initiatives.

For more information on the National Aboriginal Health Organization visit www.naho.ca

For media inquiries, contact:
Wayne Clark, Director, Communications
Tel: (613) 237-9462 ext. 508 / Toll Free: 1-877-602-4445 ext. 508
Cell: (613) 863-7765 / E-mail: wclark@naho.ca

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NAHO Welcomes Wayne Clark to its Senior Management Team

Ottawa (July 28, 2010) – The National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) is pleased to announce Wayne Clark as Director, Communications.

Mr. Clark brings over 15 years experience in communications and program management in new media and television working with provincial and federal agencies and Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. He produced award winning exhibitions for Virtual Museum of Canada in partnership with BC First Nations including The Respect to Bill Reid Pole, Dane Wajich Dane-Zaa Stories & Songs: Dreamers and the Land and Drawing on Identity: The Inkameep Day School & Art Collection. Mr. Clark has extensive experience managing communications having worked with Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, New Media BC, Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia and Government of Manitoba. Mr. Clark has consulted on digital media policy for Canadian Centres of Excellence and Canadian Culture Online National Advisory Board.

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2010 - 2011 National Aboriginal Role Models Announced

The National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) is proud to celebrate the announcement of 12 new national Aboriginal Role Models for 2010-2011 with a morning filled with cultural sights and sounds on Saturday June 19, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. – noon. (9:30 a.m. doors open) at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.
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2010 - 2011 National Aboriginal Role Models Awards Ceremony Announced

The National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) is proud to celebrate the announcement of 12 new national Aboriginal role models for 2010-2011 with a morning filled with cultural sights and sounds.
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NAHO Thanks Artists for their contribution to 2009 National Conference

Plenary Speakers and National Aboriginal Role Models were honoured for their contributions towards improving the health and well being of First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals, families and communities with a special gift commissioned by two Aboriginal artists for the National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) 2009 National Conference.
Media Release >>

NAHO CEO Offers words of Thanks to National Aboriginal Role Models

Dr. Paulette C. Tremblay, CEO of NAHO offers special words of thanks at National Aboriginal Role Model Reunion Banquet on Tuesday November 24, 2009 in Ottawa, Ontario at the Crowne Plaza hotel in the International Ballroom. The banquet was a celebration of the accomplishments of the National Aboriginal Role Models.
Media Release >>

National Aboriginal Role Models Take Centre Stage at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards (CAMA)

NAHO is excited to announce that National Aboriginal Role Models and 2009 NARMP national spokesperson, Lucie Idlout represent thirty nine percent (39%) of this year’s Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards (CAMA) finalists
Media Release >>

NAHO Announces the National Aboriginal Role Model Reunion Banquet

It's the 25th anniversary of the National Aboriginal Role Model Program and the 6th year of being administered by the National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO).
Media Release >>

NAHO announces Lunch Sessions 2009 National Conference Our People, Our Health

The National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) invites conference participants and media to attend a series of lunch and learn sessions at the upcoming 2009 National Conference Our People, Our Health, to be held in Ottawa, Ontario from November 24-26, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza and Marriott Hotels.
Media Release >>

NAHO 2009 National Conference will explore First Nations, Inuit and Métis Health Perspectives in Opening Plenary

NAHO 2009 National Conference will explore First Nations, Inuit and Métis Health Perspectives in Opening Plenary
Media Release >>

NAHO 2009 National Conference Welcomes Special Guests to the International Perspectives on Health and Well-Being Panel

The International Perspectives on Health and Well-Being panel will take place on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 from 8:45 a.m.-10:15 a.m in the International Ballroom at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
Media Release >>

NAHO Announces Sponsors 2009 National Conference Our People, Our Health

The National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) is pleased to announce the sponsors for the upcoming 2009 National Conference Our People, Our Health, to be held in Ottawa, Ontario from November 24-26, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza and Marriott Hotels.
Media Release >>

NAHO Congratulates Role Models for their success at the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards

The National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) is thrilled to congratulate 2008 National Aboriginal Role Model, Inez for winning four awards at the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards (APCMA).
Media Release >>

NAHO announces the pre-release the Journal of Aboriginal Health Special Editions of 'First Nations Communities in Crisis'

Special editions of 'First Nations Communities in Crisis' will be pre-released at the 2009 National Conference Our People, Our Health. On Thursday November 26, 2009 from 1:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Media Release >>

NAHO and Ottawa Senators offer special prices for home games during national conference

The National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) has joined forces with the Ottawa Senators to provide all participants of the NAHO national conference special prices for three games Nov. 21 to Nov. 26.
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National Aboriginal Health Organization will be hosting a reunion banquet for National Aboriginal Role Models.

It is the 25th anniversary of the National Aboriginal Role Model Program and the 5th anniversary of it being hosted by the National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO).
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First Nations Centre of the National Aboriginal Health Organization announces the beneficiaries of the First Nations Single Parent Health Career Bursa

The First Nations Centre of the National Aboriginal Health Organization is pleased to announce the five recipients of the First Nations Single Parent Health Careers Bursary.
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