Aboriginal Health

Service Components

Services delivered by the Aboriginal Health Program

Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Services

Liaison Services are in place at four acute care sites, as well as at the Strathmore Hospital and Canmore Hospital. These services are designed to provide support to Aboriginal clients and families while in hospital, and to coordinate discharge follow-up, particularly with rural First nations communities. Key responsibilities are to provide general support, resource information and referral, and participate in informal orientation to hospital staff regarding Aboriginal culture and beliefs.

Elbow River Healing Lodge

The Elbow River Healing Lodge was designed to meet the needs of the Aboriginal Population by providing choice, increase accessibility and culturally appropriate and safe care. Hours of operation are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Drop-ins and appointments are available.

An Aboriginal Mental Health team works out of the 8th and 8th Health Centre as well.

Treaty 7 Liaison

The program works to strengthen and facilitate linkages and co-ordination between the Calgary Health Region Aboriginal Health Program and the surrounding First Nations communities within Treaty 7, in order to improve continuity of service provision to clients from Treaty 7 communities who access and utilize Regional health services. This project also enhances the ability of the Southern Alberta Child & Youth Health Network to build relationships with the Treaty 7 First Nations.

Current Projects

Aboriginal Health Programming "Best Practices" Project

A proposal has been submitted to the Fund to conduct a review of the Program initiatives within Regional Health Authorities across Alberta including all projects and initiatives funded by the Fund. A model for evaluating the effectiveness of Aboriginal health initiatives will then be developed, and based on this assessment criteria to identify what has worked well and thus may be considered "best practices" will be developed. This information will be helpful to the Program and the Fund in strategic planning around funding and service delivery. It is also anticipated that the findings will benefit other health regions and ultimately help to address the goal of improving Aboriginal health. Funding is sought to hire an Aboriginal Project Consultant for a period of two years who will work towards accomplishing project objectives under the guidance of a Steering Committee. A number of Regional Health Authorities will be partnering in this initiative. These are Chinook Health Region, Capital Health Region, David Thompson Regional Health Authority, Northern Lights Health Region, and Aspen Regional Health Authority.

Aboriginal Workforce Consultant

As a member of the Calgary Health Region's Workforce Strategies Team, the Aboriginal Workforce Consultant reports to the Manager of Recruitment Services. The Aboriginal Workforce Consultant is primarily responsible for leading the development and implementation of the Aboriginal Human Resource Strategy and staff plan. He/she will design and promote recruitment initiatives and Aboriginal Health in the Aboriginal Community and retention of the Aboriginal staff across the Calgary Health Region. The objectives of this position include:

Liaise with Aboriginal organizations and promote careers in the health care professions
Support and enhance Aboriginal mentoring, career development and student work practicum programs within the Calgary Health Region
Lead and promote the Aboriginal Employees Forum and Aboriginal volunteers
Liaise with post secondary institutions to promote enrolment of Aboriginal students into careers in health care




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Aboriginal Health Home About Us Service Components Publications What's New Healthy Diverse Populations First Nations & Inuit Health Contact Us	Aboriginal Health Service Components Services delivered by the Aboriginal Health Program Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Services Liaison Services are in place at four acute care sites, as well as at the Strathmore Hospital and Canmore Hospital. These services are designed to provide support to Aboriginal clients and families while in hospital, and to coordinate discharge follow-up, particularly with rural First nations communities. Key responsibilities are to provide general support, resource information and referral, and participate in informal orientation to hospital staff regarding Aboriginal culture and beliefs. Elbow River Healing Lodge The Elbow River Healing Lodge was designed to meet the needs of the Aboriginal Population by providing choice, increase accessibility and culturally appropriate and safe care. Hours of operation are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Drop-ins and appointments are available. An Aboriginal Mental Health team works out of the 8th and 8th Health Centre as well. Treaty 7 Liaison The program works to strengthen and facilitate linkages and co-ordination between the Calgary Health Region Aboriginal Health Program and the surrounding First Nations communities within Treaty 7, in order to improve continuity of service provision to clients from Treaty 7 communities who access and utilize Regional health services. This project also enhances the ability of the Southern Alberta Child & Youth Health Network to build relationships with the Treaty 7 First Nations. Current Projects Aboriginal Health Programming "Best Practices" Project A proposal has been submitted to the Fund to conduct a review of the Program initiatives within Regional Health Authorities across Alberta including all projects and initiatives funded by the Fund. A model for evaluating the effectiveness of Aboriginal health initiatives will then be developed, and based on this assessment criteria to identify what has worked well and thus may be considered "best practices" will be developed. This information will be helpful to the Program and the Fund in strategic planning around funding and service delivery. It is also anticipated that the findings will benefit other health regions and ultimately help to address the goal of improving Aboriginal health. Funding is sought to hire an Aboriginal Project Consultant for a period of two years who will work towards accomplishing project objectives under the guidance of a Steering Committee. A number of Regional Health Authorities will be partnering in this initiative. These are Chinook Health Region, Capital Health Region, David Thompson Regional Health Authority, Northern Lights Health Region, and Aspen Regional Health Authority. Aboriginal Workforce Consultant As a member of the Calgary Health Region's Workforce Strategies Team, the Aboriginal Workforce Consultant reports to the Manager of Recruitment Services. The Aboriginal Workforce Consultant is primarily responsible for leading the development and implementation of the Aboriginal Human Resource Strategy and staff plan. He/she will design and promote recruitment initiatives and Aboriginal Health in the Aboriginal Community and retention of the Aboriginal staff across the Calgary Health Region. The objectives of this position include: Liaise with Aboriginal organizations and promote careers in the health care professions Support and enhance Aboriginal mentoring, career development and student work practicum programs within the Calgary Health Region Lead and promote the Aboriginal Employees Forum and Aboriginal volunteers Liaise with post secondary institutions to promote enrolment of Aboriginal students into careers in health care
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