Did You Know...?

Did you know that in 2002 the Seabird Island Band completed its own Community Health Plan and Health Transfer with Health Canada? This allowed the Seabird Island Band to begin offering its own Health Services.

Later that year the Seabird Island Band was serving over 2,500 clients and had a total of 36 employees.

From 2002 on the Seabird Island Band’s Health and Social Development Department would see enormous growth.

• 2003 - Seabird Island Health Centre links with the Fraser Health Authority and Xyolhemeylh.
• 2003 - A Mental Health team is established.
• 2003 - A Speech Therapist is hired to help children with speech and language delays and challenges.
• 2003 - A Therapeutic Whirlpool is added to the Health Centre.
• 2004 - Seabird Island Health and Social Development Department employs 51 staff, adding 14 staff in one year.
• 2004 - The Youth Centre is constructed.
• 2005 - Seabird Island gets funding to offer a Non-Aboriginal Supported Child Development Program, and is the first Aboriginal agency to do so.
• 2005 - Seabird Island Dental Clinic sees over 1,300 clients.
• 2005 - Employment and Education Centre sees over 500 clients.
• 2006 - Dental Wing Expansion is completed, offering two more chairs for a total of 4.
• 2006 - The Seabird Island Daycare is expanded to add 12 more infant spots.
• 2006 - The Kwiyo:s Maternal Child Health program begins helping new parents and parents to be.
• 2006 - Head Start begins offering services to Cheam and Skwah.
• 2006 - Four new Bands sign Health Agreements with Seabird Island.
• 2006 - An office is created for our visiting Optometrist.
• 2007 - The Young Parents Program begins operation in the High School.
• 2007 - Seabird Island Health Department signs Health Transfer Agreements with 5 bands.
• 2007 - Seabird Island assists Skwah and Cheam build health centres in their communities.
• 2007 - 240 people take part in the Nutrition Walk / Run.
• 2008 - Our Early Childhood Programs receive funding to offer the Ey Qwal Speech and Language program.
• 2010 - The Aboriginal Practical Nursing program begins.
• 2010 - Seabird Island Mobile Diabetes project begins travelling to communities.
• 2010 - Seabird Island Engagement Hub begins.
• 2010 - Seabird Island Health Department receives the Excellence in Health Promotion Award from the BC Medical Association
• 2011 - The Health Care Assistant program begins in partnership with the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology.
• 2011 - Seabird Island leaves Xyolhemeylh and joins the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
• 2011 - Seabird Island Health and Social Development Department begins the journey to get accredited.
• 2011 - Aboriginal Practical Nursing students begin their practicums.

Did you know that prior to the opening of Seabird College*** the Seabird Island Band already had a history of offering highly successful adult education programming?

In 2004 the Seabird Island Band offered three programs:

• Family Childcare Certificate* – 18 students took part
• Early Childhood Education* Certificate – 15 students took part
• Apprenticeship in Carpentry** – 15 students took part

Ever since, the Seabird Island Band has always strived to bring quality education programming to our community.

*offered through partnership with University College of the Fraser Valley (now University of the Fraser Valley)
** offered through partnership with BCIT
***Seabird College #3550 registered institution with PCTIA

Looking to learn more about education programs at Seabird Island? Click Here.