Viva Vitality: Five principles guide the AHS Indigenous Health Program

By Cai-Lei Matsumoto on September 6, 2019.

Cai-Lei.Matsumoto@albertahealthservices.ca

What is the Indigenous Health Program at AHS?

The Indigenous Health Program provides support throughout the province in partnership with Indigenous peoples, communities, and key stakeholders. The program works to provide accessible, culturally appropriate health services for First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples in Alberta. The work is guided by five principles:

1. Caring for our patients with respect and dignity

2. Improving access to health services

3. Treating people as unique individuals

4. Managing addictions and mental health

5. Staying up to date on the health of Indigenous Albertans

This work is done by connecting with Indigenous communities, leaders, decision-makers and most importantly, our patients. Within each of Alberta Health Services’ five zones, the program offers a variety of supports.

In the South Zone, the team includes a senior advisor, Indigenous hospital liaisons, traditional wellness co-ordinator, and an advisor for Addictions and Mental Health.

The Indigenous hospital liaisons provide supports to patients and families by:

– Helping them feel comfortable during their stay

– Advocating for them

– Being a bridge between them and the care team

– Arranging support for cultural or traditional practices.

The traditional wellness co-ordinator supports patients and families through:

– Weekly smudge opportunities

– Blackfoot translation

– Prayer and other ceremonial practices.

The South Zone also offers a unique program in the province called the Spirit of Art and Reconciliation (SOAR). This partnership between Indigenous Health and Therapeutic Recreation provides expressive art programming with an Indigenous focus through a weekly program at different sites. Check at the site you’re visiting to see what’s offered.

SOAR has become a community of its own where art is created alongside Elders speaking Blackfoot, drumming and singing, and storytelling.

In the fall, a teepee will be transferred to Chinook Regional Hospital – stay tuned for more information on that!

Cai-Lei Matsumoto is senior advisor to the Indigenous Health Program in the South Zone. She can be reached via e-mail, Cai-Lei.Matsumoto@albertahealthservices.ca

24
-23