Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

New service to help Indigenous peoples in southern Alberta navigate health services

Jan 10, 2023 | 12:57 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Alberta Health Services (AHS) has announced the creation of a new service aimed at identifying and removing obstacles Indigenous peoples face when trying to access healthcare.

They have launched the Four Winds South Zone Projet.

AHS says the goal is to work with Indigenous patients, alongside clinical teams, to promote health equity for Indigenous peoples in southern Alberta.

Indigenous Patient Navigators (IPN) are working in collaboration with the Indigenous Hospital Liaison Services | Alberta Health Services and Traditional Wellness Coordinator Services | Alberta Health Services currently offered by the Indigenous Wellness Core in the South Zone.

According to a media release from AHS, the IPNs support Indigenous patients with pre-admission to health-related programs, emergency or hospital admission, inpatient stays, and discharge.

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The IPN service offered through Four Winds is available at Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge, Cardston Health Centre, Pincher Creek Health Centre, and Fort Macleod Health Centre.

The Four Winds teams consist of members of Kainai, Piikani, and Sandy Lake (ON) First Nations.

AHS says in a media release, “The Indigenous Patient Navigators are Kara Eagle Bear (Tanataaki) and Jeremy Chief Calf. Eagle Bear is from both the Kainai (Blood Tribe) and Piikani Nations, and Chief Calf is a member of the Kainai Nation. Together they bring to their roles extensive combined career experience in healthcare, addiction and mental health services, the justice system, along with child and family social services.”

The Four Winds project is supported by a $1.4 million grant from the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Health Service, a partnership between AHS and Alberta Innovates.

To reach out for IPN services, members of the public can contact Kara Eagle Bear at 403-634-0939 or Jeremy Chief Calf at 403-634-0930.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now