Welcome to the First Nations Environmental Health Innovation Network
Welcome to FNEHIN
The First Nations Environmental Health Innovation Network (FNEHIN) is a new initiative that aims to help build capacity in First Nations communities across Canada to participate in environmental health research that supports informed decision making.
You have been added to our distribution list as an individual with an expertise and/or interest in First Nations environmental health. FNEHIN is a virtual network that connects environmental health researchers with First Nations, promote research best practices, and provide information on research findings,and funding opportunities.
Call for Proposals – The National First Nations Environmental Contaminants Program (NFNECP)
The National First Nations Environmental Contaminants Program (NFNECP) is a collaborative program between the First Nations University of Canada, the Assembly of First Nations and Health Canada. The program supports research of potential environmental and health impacts from environmental chemicals in First Nations Communities. FNEHIN staff are available to assist First Nations communities in designing their research project, drafting the proposal, and selecting a research partner (Principal Investigator). The deadline for this proposal call is November 28, 2008.
New on Our Website
Profile on Mining and Environmental Health
Mining is a growing industry in British Columbia, and many First Nations are concerned about potential human health impacts from contaminants in air, water, soil and traditional foods. FNEHIN will be hosting a workshop at the upcoming BC First Nations Mining Summit to discuss mining contaminants and human health, and how First Nations can build research partnerships to assess potential health risks.
Build a Research Partnership
Attawapiskat First Nation is seeking a Researcher for a Maternal Health Project.
Environmental Health Factsheets
Learn more about Pesticides and Herbicides, Mercury in Fish, Indoor Air Quality, and many other common First Nations environmental health topics.
Summary Report of Contaminants and Environmental Health: A Discussion Group for First Nations in Ontario
A report of the August 5, 2008 regional workshop co-hosted by the National Aboriginal Health Organization and the Chiefs of Ontario.
New Environmental Health Research
The First Nations Food, Nutrition, and Environment Study
The First Nations Food, Nutrition, and Environment Study is a national scope study on the benefits and risks of food and water in First Nation communities. The study will gather information in 100 randomly selected First Nation communities across Canada about regarding current traditional and store bought food use and food security. The study team will also: test many traditional foods for nutrient values and environmental chemical hazards; test drinking water for heavy metals and surface water for pharmaceutical metabolites; and examine the body burden of mercury among First Nations people in remote communities. The study team including researchers from the University of Northern BC, The University of Montreal, Health Canada, and the Assembly of First Nations has begun community meetings in the selected communities.
Human Environmental Health Impact Assessment: A Framework for Indigenous Communities
The Human Environmental Health Impact Assessment Framework for Indigenous Communities research project seeks to address many of the concerns First Nations have expressed regarding the human health aspects of environmental assessments and other major resource development decisions. This project will create a new framework that is based on the experience and knowledge of First Nations who have been affected by such developments. The framework will be both specific to the participating First Nations, as well as accessible to other First Nations in developing their own community models of human environmental health impact assessment. The project is initiated by the BC Leadership Chair for Aboriginal Environmental Health.