submitted by Haida Health Hub Community Outreach Workers--Our Community Wellness PlanKnowing 'who we are' and honouring 'who we are' by expressing it fully in the world with great reverence and esteem is the foundation of our Community Wellness Plan. The plan addresses the root cause of why we are not as healthy as we would like to be, the fundamental root being the trauma caused by a loss of identity and self-esteem.In our plan, we have identified eight objectives that outline the best course of action to reach our goal of optimal health and wellness. In addition, there are seventeen wellness methods to achieve our objectives. Within these methods, community members have identified and priorized the top five that the Haida Health Hub Community Outreach Workers are currently working on. The implementation of these top five wellness methods, built upon the foundation of knowing and honouring 'who we are', are our priorities over the next year.Top Five Priorities1. A culturally appropriate patient travel program* To transform the existing program to include guidelines that support 'compassionate travel' (funding for escorts) and to empower our community members to take greater responsibility for their own health care, their families' health care and their community's health care. The Haida Health Hub's focus at present is to look at ways of saving money in our health centre's medical travel fund, so more money will be available to support 'compassionate travel.'2. Elders reclaiming their traditional roles in the community* This was identified as a priority by the community. So far, this has been addressed in discussions at the elder's wellness gatherings, and through these discussions, the Elder's Empowerment Committee has been formed with the purpose of creating an action plan to address sexual abuse in our communities. This process is being led by the elders and facilitated by Health Centre Wellness Councilors Sue Gladstone and Sandra Dan.3. Home Improvements for our elders* To connect the needs of our elders with our Food Gathering Initiative, the Restorative Justice Program , the Men's Group, Youth Programs, and to the strengths of our community members as a whole. Looking into home adaptations for elders through housing grants is another project we are currently working on.4. An On-Island Healing/Wellness Centre* To create community wellness programs, leaving 'not one' community member behind. These will be guided by life-sustaining values, based on traditional wisdom and will address the whole person (mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually). The goal is to build capacity and new ways of thinking and acting that will lead to continually greater levels of wellness and prosperity for our community members.5. Youth wellness initiatives to foster healthy transitions for our youth* Our north and south end youth councils have been working collaboratively for all-island youth wellness events, and the Haida Health Hub has committed $5,310. of this year's funding, as well as the time of our Community Outreach Workers, to help support the councils in their collaborative initiatives for all-island youth wellness.If you'd like any more information on the Haida Health Hub, our current wellness priorities, or would like to get involved, please contact Andrea Medley, at 626 7278 or andreasissymedley@gmail.com, or Melissa Edgars, at 559 8223 or uljoo@hotmail.com, or check out our website at: www.haidahealthhub.com.Our next All Island Wellness Gathering is set for Mon. Jan. 30, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Senior's Centre - Adult Day Program, 149 Front Street in Skidegate and all are welcome to attend (please RSVP with Andrea or Melissa if you are planning to attend).