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February 20 2006 marked the graduation of  3 dedicated Deer Lake Homecare workers from the Personal Support Worker Certification program.

Martha Meekis, Home and Community Care Coordinator, Annie Anysanabe, Home and Communiy Care PSW and Doris Meekis Home and Community Care Homemaker all completed the 500 hour course.

Their studies included all areas of caring for community members who need assistance. Hygeine, mobility, medications, mental health, documentation, ongoing conditions, abuse, interpersonal skills, care planning, first aid, CPR, death and dying, bedside care individuality of the person, role of the worker, household management and meal preparation were some of the topics studied by these hard working ladies over the past 3 years.

The graduation ceremonies were held at the Deer Lake School. Thanks to so many caring people in the community, the event was a huge success.

After an opening prayer by Elder Virginia Meekis, Assistant Health Director Jill Quill, Elder Obeik Koostachin, Chairperson of Health Zack Meekis and Band Councilor Oscar Meekis all helped to present the certificates and honour the graduates with kind words.

Past and Present Home and Community Care Nurse Supervisors, Nancy Muller and Sylvia McPherson as well as LTC Nurse Phyllis Choweniec travelled to Deer Lake for the event.

The PSW certificate is recognized by Homecare and Hospital facilities and is a prerequisite for many jobs in the health care field.

These 3 caring workers are proud of their accomplishment and plan to use their new skills to improve the Deer Lake Home and Community Care program. 

Click here to view photo album of this special event

The Canadian Cancer Society's 2006 "Driven to Quit Challenge" is offering a top prize of a 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid or 1 or 7 Sony 32" Widescreen LCD HDTVs for smokers who want to quit and are able to go smoke-free for the month of April. Visit the contest web site at http://www.quitsmokingontario.ca/english/home for more information.

Deadline for entries is March 31,  2006 ... check out the steps to enter this contest ...

• Find a buddy who will support you as you go smoke-free.
• Buddies can win too! To be eligible for a prize valued at $250, buddies must be 19 years of age or older and a non-smoker.
• Get tips on how your buddy can help.

• Register free of charge by March 31, 2006.
• Only one entry per person is permitted.

• Quit smoking by April 1, 2006 and remain smoke-free until May 1, 2006.
• Call the Canadian Cancer Society Smokers' Helpline to increase your chances of quitting at 1 877 513-5333 (optional).
• Names will be randomly drawn on May 1, 2006.
• If selected, both you and your buddy will be contacted and asked to answer a skill-testing question.
• Buddies will be asked to confirm that you have remained smoke-free for April.
• To verify smoke-free status, the potential winner will be asked to take a urine test.
• Smoke-free means no use of tobacco products of any kind. You are allowed, however, to use nicotine replacement therapies (e.g. patch, gum or inhaler) and a doctor's prescription to help you quit.
• Winners will be announced in May 2006.

Asheweig River Camps, a Kasabonika Lake First Nation owned business, launched their new website for its' remote outpost camp on Straight Lake.

http://www.asheweigriver.com offers a glimpse into the Aboriginal Tourism industry for Kasabonika Lake First Nation and the Kasabonika Community Development Corporation.  Since its' first full season in 2005, this operation on Straight Lake, part of the Asheweig River system, strives to offer anglers a remote treat.  Based on a Community Tourism Strategy, KLFN expects to build a tourism sector in its' traditional territory with additional modern amenities on several lakes over the next 5 years for fishing, hunting and ecotourism.

Equay-wuk (Women's Group) is hosting:

2006 Violence Awareness & Prevention and Cultural Awareness for Caregivers Forum

March 21-22, 2006

Forest Inn & Conference Centre

Sioux Lookout, ON

Are you a

• Community Health Representative (C.H.R.)?
• Addictions Counsellor/N.N.A.D.A.P worker?
• Mental Health Worker?
• Health Director?
• Any other health & wellness field worker?

If so, Equay-wuk (Women's Group) invites you to participate in the 2006 Violence Awareness and Cultural Awareness for Caregivers Forum.

Equay-wuk (Women's Group) is able to provide travel, accommodations, and meals for one community representative to attend the forum.  Register today!!

For a registration form and more information, view

http://www.equaywuk.ca/poster.htm

Contact:

Chris Angeconeb     or     Jennifer Derosier
Phone:         807-737-2214
Toll Free:   1-800-261-8294
Fax:           807-737-2699
Email:         equaywuk@nwconx.net
Website:     www.equaywuk.ca