The Kehewin Health Centre has received a renewed Accreditation with Commendation from Canada Accreditation. Accreditation means patients can be reassured that if they use the Kehewin Health Centre they will be provided with the same level of care and treatment as they would anywhere else. The celebration was part of a day-long community meeting Community Health Spring Meeting. Tribal Councillor, Ben Badger, says Council has initiated community meetings as a way of “getting back to the tribe” through open communication.

“Historically the communication of the Nation hasn’t been healthy,” Badger newly elected to Council, explains Chief and Council are working on bettering communication with the residents, “the intend for [the Community Health Spring Meeting] was to improve communication with the members, so they know what services are being provided by the Health Centre, who the staff are, and how it works. A lot of times it’s a lack of knowledge that creates negativity; we’re trying to create a fresh vibe.”

Services offered through Kehewin Health Centre

• Clinical & Client Care
• Maternal Child Health & Home Care
• Community Health Nurse & Licenced Practical Nurse
• Addictions Counsellor, Wellness Program & NAYPS Coordinator
• Early Childhood Development through Headstart Program
• Healthy Living
• Communical & Disease Control & Management
• Environmental Health & Research

Visiting Services

• Physiotherapist
• Dental Hygenist
• Psychologist
• RCMP Victim Services

The five hour meeting had multiple health related presentations. “We wanted to create an open-feel,” Councillor Badger explains that people are less-likely to attend Council meeting; which can create some mystery and rumours. “We want to be more responsible to the people. We’re elected by the people, so people should know what’s going on.”

• Water Treatment Plant
• Emergency Prepareness First Response
• RCMP Briefing, including Restorative Justice
• Mental Wellness/Community Enhancement
• Harm Reduction Strategies
• Information on the Good Food Box
• Treaty 6: Medicine Chest

The next Community meeting will highlight Education, “we’re gathering feedback from the Education system that we have,” Badger explains Council is already preparing for the meeting. “We have K-12 on the Reserve and [off-reserve] Post-Secondary. How can we improve communication about what’s there?” Kehewin is partners with Blue Quills University, however because of under-funding there is always discussion among the community on which students are able to go. Councillor Badger hopes that through a Community Meeting that decision process will be brought to light.

With a wholistic approach, promote individual, family & community well-being, together with the people of Kehewin, encouraging everyone to choose & maintain healthy lifestyles.

On a personal level, LCN was honoured to be the only media outlet invited to the Community Spring Meeting. Many of the Health Services, Addictions and Crime Reduction programs that were highlighted in the meeting are truly innovative and bring a proactive approach to bettering the community.  LCN will highlight each throughout the upcoming week.

“The reason we wanted to do this, and invite media, is to highlight us, as people,” explains Councillor Badger. “You take away race, us versus them, and all the races that are out there. Biologically, it has no concept, we’re all human beings, we’re all on this earth. Then there’s systems that divide us and misinterpretations of each other. The Community Meeting gives a positive image of Kehewin and we are doing things around our health; we can always improve, but we are doing good things.”

Councillor Badger explains the dream behind opening the communication barriers, “with our surrounding neighbours, the towns around us, we do need to make this place better for our kids; how can we make it better when they interact with each other. Enhancing that relationship and taking away the misconceptions; and hopefully ending racism.”