Primary Care Network Opportunities in Witset
Seeking qualified Family Physicians, Nurse Practitioners and Allied Health Professionals for Primary Care Networks in Witset, British Columbia, Canada
Primary Care Networks
Bring your clinical expertise and passion for providing quality, compassionate care to a challenging and rewarding role as a Family Physician/General Practitioner or Nurse Practitioner for a Primary Care Network (PCN) in Witset, British Columbia.
We acknowledge that we work on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of many different Indigenous Nations throughout the Pacific Northwest Region of British Columbia.
Acknowledging that we are on the traditional territories of Indigenous communities is an expression of cultural humility and involves recognizing our duty and desire to support the provision of culturally safe care to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people in BC.
The Bulkley Valley Witset Primary Care Network is currently in start-up! This phase follows years of planning and engagement across partners including the Witset Nation, First Nations Health Authority, Northern Health Authority, Pacific Northwest Division of Family Practice, and other community partners.
Witset (formerly Moricetown) is home to approximately 661 on-reserve members, 1129 off-reserve members with a total population of 1790 people and is located 30 km west of Smithers and 32 km east of Hazelton, BC.
The Witset Health Centre has been in operation for 30 years serving on-reserve members of Witset. We have a Health Director who oversees the program services, staff and quality delivery. We are funded by First Nations Health Authority and each program has objectives and guidelines that must be met each year. The Health Director is responsible for managing the programs effectively, efficiently and with parsimony.
About Witset
The Bulkley Valley is the traditional territory of the Witsuwit’en, who have lived here for countless generations. Their rich culture is seen and heard throughout the valley, the land that they have known and loved longer than memory can recount.
When the first Europeans arrived in the mid-1800s, they did so in order to satisfy Europe’s appetite for fur. Trappers and traders first arrived by trekking overland and using the area’s river systems to access what they believed to be the untapped fur resources of the new colony of British Columbia. Soon after, construction of the Collins Overland Telegraph line brought workers and surveyors into the area and non-aboriginal settlement began. Intended to connect North America to Europe via the Bering Strait, construction of the line was abandoned in 1866 when others racing to complete the trans-Atlantic cable succeeded first and made any need for this telegraph line obsolete.
Witset (formerly Moricetown) is home to approximately 661 on-reserve members, 1129 off-reserve members with a total population of 1790 people and is located 30 km west of Smithers and 32 km east of Hazelton, BC. As a federallly recognized indian band, we offer programs and services to meet the specific needs of each community member. The programs that are currently in place accommodate our mandate and mission, “Serving our community with pride, providing services and programs to enhance the development of our nation.”
Witsuwit’en Social Structure
House Members
Matrilineage (following the mother’s side of the family), clearly places every Witsuwit’en person within a house and clan. As a member of this group the actions of each individual affect the house to which they belong.
Sub Chiefs
Second highest titles are those of thirteen sub chiefs who have important responsibilities for the administration of discreet parts of their house’s territory. These Subs Chiefs also assist in the decision making processes used to govern the welfare of the House Members.
House Chiefs
The highest Hereditary titles in the Witsuwit’en Nation are the twelve House Chiefs. These Chiefs take care of the fishing sites at the summer village and distinct tracts of the territory for their clan members.
Clan
A clan is a group of people belonging to a particular Tribe or House to identify families and territories.There are five Witsuwit’en clans:
- Gilseyhu (Big Frog)
- Laksilyu (Small Frog)
- Gitdumden (Wolf/Bear)
- Laksamshu (Fireweed)
- Tsayu (Beaver clan)
In the feast hall they operate as four with the Laksamshu and Tsayu clans working together.
Culture Camps
Witsuwit’en Culture Camps provides outdoor expedition camps for children who are interested in learning the ways of their ancestors. Children throughout the province attend the camp, which are held throughout the year. Children learn Witsuwit’en culture and language, as well as how to preserve food, about their genealogy and how to live off the land. They are taught about anger management, stress management and are encourage just to have fun.
Widzin Kwah (Moricetown) Canyon
This is a must-see! The rush of the river as it squeezes through the gorge is mesmerizing. It can be heart-stopping to watch the Witsuwit’en fishers out on the rocks, close to the exploding whitewater, plunging poles into the water to catch powerful salmon in dip nets. The river here can be loaded with salmon (springs or kings, coho, sockeye, pinks) and steelhead swimming upriver to spawning grounds on the Bulkley and Morice Rivers and their tributaries. Watch from above or walk the paths into the canyon. Be careful as you near the river—the rocks are slippery.
Fishing at Idiot Rock
If you want to try your hand at fishing in Witset, your best bet is “Idiot Rock” just downstream of the canyon. You will need a valid BC angling licence which you can buy online or at fishing shops in Smithers.
Widzin Kwah Canyon House Museum
Widzin Kwah Diyik Be Yikh (Widzin Kwah Canyon HouseMuseum) is directly above the canyon, featuring historical displays of traditional life and fishing methods, cultural artifacts, local arts and crafts and a gift shop with books and souvenirs.
There is a fully serviced campground and RV Park here as well.
Witsuwit’en Cultural Tour’
Trained cultural tour guides can help deepen your appreciation of the Witsuwit’en way of life.
Opportunities
Physicians and Nurse Practitioners, as well as the following Allied Health Professionals will provide support to the Bulkley Valley Witset Primary Care Network: Psychologist, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapist, Dietitian, Kinesiologist, Perinatal Nurse, Chronic Disease Management Nurse, Clinician, and Pharmacist.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to communicate and collaborate with patients/clients/residents and families about health findings, diagnosis, treatment, self-care and
- Ability to collaborate, consult with and formally refer patients/clients/residents to physicians and other health professionals when
- Ability to critically assess and evaluate health research literature to determine best practices; ability to introduce education and evidence-based
- Ability to assess and recognize population health trends; ability to plan and implement strategies for population-based prevention and health
- Ability to implement and evaluate planned
- Ability to supervise others and evaluate the care they
- Ability to lead a team and work within a
- Ability to self-direct, interact, and adapt effectively with other professionals in complex, dynamic
- Ability to transfer knowledge, teach, coach and mentor
- Ability to identify and respond appropriately to legal and ethical issues that may arise in patient/resident/client
- Ability to self-assess performance and assume responsibility and accountability for own professional development, educational or consultative assistance when appropriate.
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