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Brighter Futures Initiative

About Brighter Futures
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Launched in May 1992, the Brighter Futures initiative provides essential funding for community-based programs that promote the health and well-being of First Nations and Inuit children, individuals, and families.
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Over the years, the initiative has evolved to respond to the changing needs of communities. Today, Brighter Futures supports activities in five key areas:
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  • Community Mental Health
  • Child Development
  • Injury Prevention
  • Parenting Skills
  • Healthy Babies
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The initiative empowers communities to design and deliver culturally relevant programs that reflect local priorities and strengths. Currently, over 90% of Brighter Futures funding in Canada is dedicated to mental health and child development, underlining a strong commitment to supporting the long-term resilience and growth of Indigenous children and youth.

Meet our 
Acting Youth Wellness Workers

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 Jessica Wale

  Acting Community Wellness Worker


Jessica provides compassionate support and coordination for a range of community wellness programs. She works closely with individuals and families to promote mental health, parenting, and overall well-being through culturally grounded and inclusive services.

📞 250-842-6876 ext. 400

Vacant

Acting Youth Wellness Worker


Sage focuses on youth-centered programming and support, offering guidance in areas like child development, recreation, cultural engagement, and personal growth. He’s passionate about creating safe and welcoming spaces for youth to thrive.

📞 250-842-6876 ext. 401

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Pillar 1: Mental Health

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Mental health and wellness are central to the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Through the Brighter Futures Initiative (BFI), First Nations and Inuit communities deliver a wide range of mental health services designed to be accessible, culturally relevant, and community-driven.

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Services offered under this pillar include:

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  • Individual and Family Counselling

  • Information and Awareness Programs

  • Crisis Intervention Services

  • Suicide Prevention Initiatives

  • Support Groups and Sharing Circles

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In addition to clinical and crisis-based support, communities also organize wellness-focused activities that promote healing, connection, and cultural identity. These include:

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  • Summer camps for youth

  • Cultural learning opportunities

  • Recreational programs for elders and people with disabilities

  • Community feasts and gatherings

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These services and activities help strengthen mental resilience, foster belonging, and create safe spaces for open dialogue and healing. By centering wellness within community life, this pillar supports the long-term mental health of all generations.

Pillar 2: Child Development

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Supporting the healthy growth and development of children and youth is a core focus of the Brighter Futures Initiative (BFI). Under the Child Development pillar, communities deliver programs, services, and activities that nurture physical, emotional, social, and cultural well-being.

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Activities may include:

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  • After-school programs for children and youth

  • Cultural programs such as drum groups, language classes, arts & crafts, and youth-elder engagement

  • Recreational activities like walking clubs, gym nights, fitness challenges, sports, and seasonal camps with traditional food harvesting

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In addition to these engaging programs, youth are also provided with opportunities to build important life skills such as:

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  • Budgeting and financial literacy

  • Cooking and meal preparation

  • Babysitting safety

  • Career and personal planning

  • Training in self-development and wellness planning 

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By offering a wide range of supportive and culturally grounded activities, this pillar helps young people build confidence, connect with their heritage, and develop the skills they need to thrive in their communities and beyond.

Our staff are here to listen, support, and connect you with resources that fit your needs. Feel free to reach out—we’re always happy to help

Pillar 3: Parenting

 

The Parenting pillar of the Brighter Futures Initiative (BFI) supports culturally enriched approaches to raising children—approaches that honour deep connections to land, language, and tradition. 

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Culturally rooted parenting involves respecting and strengthening family ties to the territory, water, traditional medicines, and foods. For Gitxsan families and many others, traditional parenting includes introducing children to their language and cultural practices. This connection lays the foundation for knowing who they are, where they come from, where they belong, and where they are going in life.

Parenting support under this pillar also focuses on helping children grow in a healthy, self-reliant, and balanced way. Programs and workshops often encourage families to:

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  • Be physically active

  • Enjoy healthy, traditional foods

  • Get adequate sleep and rest

  • Maintain a balanced lifestyle

  • Explore body, spirit, identity, and well-being

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By blending traditional knowledge with practical guidance, the Parenting pillar strengthens families and nurtures the next generation in culturally meaningful ways.

Pillar 4: Healthy Babies

 

The Healthy Babies pillar of the Brighter Futures Initiative (BFI) supports the health and wellness of infants, young children, and their caregivers—beginning in pregnancy and continuing through early childhood.

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One key program under this pillar is Maternal Child Health, a pregnancy outreach initiative open to both expectant mothers and parents with children under the age of 7. This program focuses on three core areas:

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  • Newborn Care & Development

  • Resources & Peer Support

  • Maternal Well-Being

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Support is delivered through weekly Parent Support Group meetings every Thursday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Health Centre. For families facing barriers to attending in person, outreach services are available to ensure everyone can access the support they need.

Participants in the program have access to:

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  • Food vouchers

  • Prenatal vitamins

  • Bus passes

  • Connections to community resources

Pillar 5: Injury Prevention

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Injuries are the leading cause of death and disability for people of all ages—and pose a particularly serious threat to the health and safety of children. The Injury Prevention pillar of the Brighter Futures Initiative (BFI) aims to reduce the frequency, severity, and long-term impact of preventable injuries across all stages of life.

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At Sik-E-Dakh Health Society, we are committed to reducing injury-related hospitalizations, disabilities, and fatalities through a variety of targeted programs and educational efforts. Our approach includes:

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  • Home visits to assess safety and provide personalized guidance

  • Community presentations to raise awareness and share prevention strategies

  • Public awareness campaigns focused on risk reduction

  • Collaboration with key community partners to strengthen local safety initiatives

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Key focus areas include:

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  • Seniors Health & Fall Prevention

  • Road Safety and Seatbelt Use

  • Concussions & Sports Injuries

  • Childhood Falls and Safety Education

  • Snowmobile & ATV Safety

  • Water Safety and Drowning Prevention

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By combining education, outreach, and community collaboration, the Injury Prevention pillar works to create safer homes, schools, and public spaces—helping to protect individuals and families now and for generations to come.

1-888-844-0685

Sik-E-Dakh Health Society

Monday -  Friday   8:30 am - 4:30 pm

(Closed 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm for lunch)
Saturday                   Closed
Sunday                     Closed

Statutory Holidays   Closed

© 2023-2025 Sik-E-Dakh Health Society.

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