Improving Indigenous health care

We have 2 specialized units focused on building strong relationships with Indigenous partners to improve their health outcomes regardless of where they reside in Alberta. The Indigenous Community Engagement North Unit, based in Edmonton, is responsible for fostering relationships with Treaty 8 First Nations, Metis Settlements General Council, 8 Metis Settlements, and Edmonton urban Indigenous Communities. The Indigenous Community Engagement South Unit, based in Calgary, is responsible for fostering relationships with First Nations in Treaty 6 and 7, Métis Nation of Alberta, and Calgary urban Indigenous Communities. These teams’ engage with Indigenous community partners on matters related to health.

Health Tables and Sub-Tables

Our approach is led by community voices, fostering respectful and reciprocal relationships that reflect the values, traditions, and aspirations of Indigenous people. This is accomplished by partnering with communities to create formal spaces for collaborative dialogue and joint decision‑making on matters of shared concern, and this work takes place through Health Tables and Sub‑Tables. Currently, we support the ongoing work and collaboration of 4 Health Tables or Sub‑Tables, and we deeply value the opportunity to walk alongside Indigenous communities as partners in advancing their health priorities.

Advisory committees

Working Groups provide targeted opportunities for collaboration with community partners on specific health issues, while advisory committees create space for Indigenous partners to guide government programs and initiatives. Through these committees, we help strengthen trust, improve coordination, and support the development of culturally appropriate, community‑driven health initiatives. We coordinate these advisory structures to give another pathway for Indigenous partners to have meaningful opportunities to shape priorities and advance discussions at a pace and in ways that best reflect their community needs.

We coordinate community visits, tours, and meetings with Indigenous health leaders and elected officials. These visits serve as important opportunities to strengthen relationships and create space for open dialogue about local health system experiences. In-person engagement allows us to gain meaningful awareness of the issues most relevant to our Indigenous partners, ensuring that primary and preventative health services are better positioned to support and respond to the diverse and distinct needs identified by each community. Through these shared experiences and conversations, we can contribute to better health system planning and improved health outcomes.

The Indigenous Primary Health Care Implementation Plan is a comprehensive way forward. It will help Alberta achieve a health system that delivers access to culturally safe, quality care that improves life-expectancy and the health and wellbeing of First Nation, Métis and Inuit families and communities.

The plan sets out 22 recommendations, organized under 5 actionable outcomes, with several actions completed or underway, including:

• establishing the Indigenous Health Division in the Ministry of Primary and Preventative Health Services
• establishing an Indigenous Patient Complaints Investigator
• funding for Indigenous partners to deliver prevention and health promotion services

The Indigenous Patient Navigator Grant Program, Bilateral Indigenous Patient Navigator Grant Program, and Indigenous Primary Health Care Innovation Fund help ensure First Nations, Métis and Inuit partners are equipped with the resources needed to design and deliver health care programs that meet the unique needs of their community.

• Indigenous Primary Health Care Innovation Fund – This program provides funding to support Indigenous communities and organizations in designing and delivering culturally safe primary health care services for Indigenous peoples close to home.
• Indigenous Patient Navigator Grant Program – This program provides funding to recruit and retain Indigenous Navigators to assist patients with overcoming barriers to accessing primary health care services, support patient advocacy, gain access to resources, and improve care coordination.
• Bilateral Indigenous Patient Navigator Grant Program – This program provides funding to recruit and retain Indigenous Navigators patient to assist patients with overcoming barriers to accessing primary health care services, support patient advocacy, gain access to resources, and improve care coordination.

Racism and discrimination towards Indigenous Peoples in the health care system has led to greater health disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples in Alberta. Indigenous Peoples face stereotyping and bias when accessing care, and it is critical we take steps to address these challenges now.

Primary and Preventative Health Services supports several anti-racism actions and initiatives across the Government of Alberta:

• Taking action against racism
• Alberta Human Rights Commission
• Indigenous Patient Safety Investigator and Advocate
• Indigenous Reconciliation Initiative – Cultural Stream
• Indigenous Reconciliation Initiative – Economic Stream
• Indigenous Grants

Below is a list of supports available to help you navigate the Alberta health care system:

• Indigenous Wellness Core
• General Indigenous Health Resources
• Alberta Indigenous Virtual Care Clinic
• Indigenous Addiction and Mental Health
• Indigenous Support Line
• Indigenous Patient Navigation services (southern Alberta)
• Indigenous Patient Safety Investigator and Advocate
• Indigenous Hospital Support Services
• Indigenous Hospital Support Services (Red Deer)
• Honouring Life – Indigenous Youth Suicide Prevention Program
• Indigenous Language Interpretation and Translation Services
• Continuing Care in Indigenous Communities
• Indigenous Cancer Health
• Patient Access to Indigenous Spiritual Ceremony