Photo Credit: In case you missed the recent northern lights show, enjoy this photo taken in Gimli by Jackie Havers Saurette.

Building Community - April 2023

Information - Resources - Online Classes - Career Opportunities

Your Budget Friendly Recipe of the Month: Green Bean Casserole

Contributor: Hailey Schurko, Dietetic Intern and Kristen Ticknor Registered Dietitian with Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority

It's that time of year to start thinking about your garden. Beans are a low-maintenance, versatile vegetable. They give nutrients back to the soil and produce an impressive yield. Beans can be incorporated into almost any dish, boiled and tossed in garlic as a side, or chopped up fresh to toss into a salad for a slightly nutty flavour.

Are you hungry for more?



• download the recipe
• green beans with mushrooms
• baked green bean fries
• green been lasagna
• making your money stretch

Click here for more!

Building Community: Healthy Together Now (HTN) Funding

HTN is a community-lead grassroots program to help prevent chronic diseases in Manitoba. The program is coordinated by the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority and supported by the Province of Manitoba, Mental Health, Wellness and Recovery/Health Promotion and Wellness Branch. HTN focuses on prevention activities for all ages and strives to engage the highest needs population, individuals, families, and communities. Limited funds are dedicated to each community, and are to be used within a year.

Community organizations can apply for funding for prevention activities in the areas of:

• Mental Well-Being
• Healthy Eating
• Tobacco Prevention & Reduction
• Physical Activity

The application process includes attending a community meeting. To connect with a Wellness Facilitator and find out more about community meetings schedule from April 13-27: click here.

Click here to learn more.

Veuillez cliquer ici pour la version française.

The annual grade 6 Anti-Vaping Poster Contest Winners have been selected! 

Contributor: Caroline Le Clair, Registered Dietitian and Certified Chef Community Health/ Health Promotion Interlake Eastern RHA

The Interlake-Eastern RHA Tobacco, Vaping, Cannabis committee was thrilled to see students from across the Interlake participate in our Anti-Vaping poster contest.  It provided the students an opportunity to be creative while learning about the negative effects vaping can have on our health. 

The top entries from each participating school division with the most votes all won $100 for the students who created the poster, as well as $200 for their classroom. Each participating school division was also entered in a draw to win $1400 for the division.  

We would like to thank all the teachers and students who worked so hard on entering the contest and who continue to educate our residents on the harms of vaping.  

Click here to see all the winning posters.



April is Oral Health Month

Contributor: Michelle Berthelette, Wellness Facilitator, Community Health/ Health Promotion Interlake Eastern RHA

Good oral health is not only good for your smile, but it can positively affect your overall health and wellness. Below are a few links that provide helpful information for all ages on why oral health is important and how caring for your teeth can benefit your whole body.

Diabetes and Oral Health: Did you know that poor oral health can affect how well you control your diabetes? Diabetes can even increase your risk of developing certain oral health conditions.

A Healthy Smile is Good for your Heart: Harmful bacteria in your mouth can enter the bloodstream and travel to other parts of your body. These bacteria can contribute to clogged arteries, increased risk of heart attack, stroke and endocarditis.  

Click here to read more.

Veuillez cliquer ici pour la version française.

Watch a video to learn about the Canada Dental Benefit and learn how to apply for and use benefits: click here.

Community Wellness Programs

Explore FREE Classes for Healthy Living

March Class Highlights:

Craving Change

Feeding Littles

Active Aging Day

Ready Set Grow

Commit To Quit

We also include program and class listings from our Community Partners on our calendar each month!

Call 1-877-979-9355 or email [email protected] to register for Community Wellness programs.

For information on using Microsoft Teams click here.

World Day for Physical Activity is April 6, 2023.

"This year’s theme – “Have a Good Time! Be Active!” – emphasizes the importance of fun. If we enjoy physical activity, we are more likely to keep it up!" ~ ISPAH

Click here to learn more.

Sextortion of Children and Youth is on the Rise

Contributor: Tammy Thompson, Co-chair of the Interlake Sexual Exploitation Educators (ISEE) Committee.

Never heard of sextortion? You are not alone. Sextortion is extortion (or blackmail) that are threats that end with you sending sexual images and/or videos of yourself through social media to the extortioner. If their demands are not met, the images are often shared or threatened to be shared through social media platforms. Typically, these demands are for more sexual images or money and the extortionists are very skilled and persistent in achieving their goals.

Click here to read more.

Veuillez cliquer ici pour la version française.

Educational & Employment Opportunities

Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority attends and hosts career fairs across the region throughout the year. Come down to find out more about the many different and rewarding careers that health-care has to offer! If you’re interested in learning more, please contact us at [email protected]

In partnership with a provincial working group, IERHA is hosting Healthcare Career Expos in communities starting this April. Click here to find a Career Expo near you.

Educational Opportunities - Click here to find your perfect fit!

Have you tested positive for COVID-19?

If your rapid antigen test is positive for #COVID19, or you don't take a test but have symptoms, you should isolate for 5 days after your symptoms start and until you don't have a fever & your other symptoms have been improving for 24 hours. Click here to learn more.

Vaccine Resources

The COVID-19 bivalent vaccine gives you double protection - against the original strain of #Covid19MB and the omicron variant. A booster dose of the original #COVID19Vaccine is also available to everyone aged 12+, including adults who do not want to wait for the bivalent vaccine.

A COVID-19 bivalent booster is now available for kids 5-11. A pediatric COVID-19 vaccine is now available for children 6 months to 4 years of age. All children aged 5 to 11 can now receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. A booster dose is particularly important for children with an underlying medical condition that places them at high risk of severe illness due to COVID-19. Click here for eligibility.

Additionally, the following high-risk individuals may choose to receive a spring 2023 booster dose:

• Adults age 65 and older
• Indigenous people age 45 and older, including First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples, regardless of place of residence
• Residents of long term care (LTC), assisted living or supportive housing facilities
• Adults age 18 and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised

Six months is the minimum interval after the last dose of the primary series or between booster doses. Vaccine effectiveness increases with longer duration between doses. It is also recommended to wait at least six months between COVID-19 infection and receiving a booster dose. Be aware that a spring booster dose may result in a delay of your eligibility for a fall booster dose and a less robust immune response if a fall booster dose is administered at a shorter interval (i.e. less than six months from the previous dose).

Visit our website for COVID-19 Vaccine Pop Up Clinic Information: click here.

Our next issue will be in circulation in May 2023.

Community Wellness Team | Toll Free 1-877-979-9355

[email protected]  | ierha.ca