Recordings of 2024 AHS Virtual Events

Opening Ceremonies 
12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Watch the recorded presentation here.

This June, AHS will focus on Journey to Wellness by hosting online and in-person events to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Month. Join us online for the Opening Ceremonies.

AHS Traditional Ceremony Policy 
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Jeff Beddome 

Watch the recorded presentation here.

The AHS Patient Access to Indigenous Spiritual Ceremony Policy has been in effect across all AHS sites since June 21, 2023.

 This Policy was enacted to ensure that all AHS sites provide consistent access to spiritual ceremonies, no matter where in the province a patient is receiving care. The Policy provides direction to AHS staff on how to respectfully honour Indigenous Spiritual Ceremony in a timely manner at a patient’s bedside or designated space.

This session will provide an update on what has happened in the year since the Policy was implemented.

Community Partnerships with the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Randal Bell and Kelly Smith 

Watch the recorded presentation here. 

Opioid addiction is a complex health problem in Alberta and many other provinces. Indigenous people have been hit hard by opioid poisoning mortality and many Indigenous communities still do not have access to life-saving opioid medication and addiction treatment. 

This session will be an opportunity to learn more about the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program and how it is trying to partner with Indigenous communities to get them the services they need to flatten the curve of opioid poisoning mortality.  

Mistaki Kakto'sooyis: Mountain Star Healing Lodge
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Gisele Backfat (RN), Katrina Hewton (Psychologist) and Dr. Latisha Hewton-Backfat (Physician, Family Practitioner)

Watch the recorded presentation here.

The Mountain Star Healing Lodge opened at Siksika First Nation in 2023.   

These three Blackfoot sisters will share their health care journey as health professionals: Katrina a registered psychologist, Gisele a registered nurse and Dr. Latisha Blackfat a family physician. They will share how culture and caring for Indigenous peoples has always been at the forefront.  

Learning from their experiences and stories for how they have incorporated their teachings from both a traditional and western lens into their practices as health professionals.

Strategies for helping Indigenous People in the healthcare system
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Colleen Jobin

Watch the recorded presentation here.

Elder Teachings & Weekly Closing Prayer
1:30 p.m. 

We will close our week with Elder stories and prayers, a summary of the week, and announce the weekly prize winners.

Elder Teachings & Weekly Opening Prayer
9:00 a.m. 

Start the week in a good way by joining us for traditional teachings and prayers from our Elders.

RESCHEDULED
The Awasisak Program - Caring for Indigenous Children and Families at the Stollery Children's Hospital
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Mike Sutherland

Watch the recorded presentation here.

“Awasisak” means children in Cree. The Awasisak Indigenous Health Program located in the Stollery Children’s hospital is the only Indigenous pediatric healthcare program in Canada of its kind. This program aims to improve health status, outcomes, and services for Indigenous infants, children, and youth and their families who require tertiary neonatal, pediatric, or outreach care.  Come learn more about what this amazing team of Registered Nurse Case Managers, Social Workers, Cultural Engagement Coordinators, a Spiritual Advisor, Data Analyst, Team Leader and Administrative Support have been able to achieve in changing how we provide support to their Indigenous patients and families.

Honouring Life Panel Discussion
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

Watch the recorded presentation here.

Honouring Life (formerly Aboriginal Youth and Community Empowerment Strategy or AYCES) is a youth life promotion and suicide prevention program developed to support First Nation and Métis communities by building capacity in mental wellness, resiliency, and healthy lifestyle promotion.

For National Indigenous People’s Month 2024, we will hear from communities that are running programs that have received funding from AHS. Community Panel representatives from the Alberta Indigenous Virtual Care Clinic, the Blood Tribe Department of Health, the Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth and Fishing Lake First Nation will share about their programs.

Becoming an Ally 
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Kendra Deveau

Watch the recorded presentation here.

Kendra Deveau has worked with the Indigenous Wellness Core for 12 years. She is a White woman with mixed European ancestry, including Swedish, Scottish, English and French lineages. She was born and raised in small town rural Alberta on Treaty 7 territory and now resides just 45 minutes north of that community with her husband, niece, dog and two young children. Her work as an Indigenous cultural competency educator draws upon the settler/colonial perspectives of her upbringing and contrasts it with Indigenous worldviews and ideas, sharing the ‘other side’ to those pioneer/homesteader stories that her community was founded upon.

Kendra’s objectives as an Ally are to help non-Indigenous people acknowledge the truths about the complex history that was taking place on this land when their ancestors first arrived on Turtle Island, learn about the cycles of inequity that have been perpetuating over time and understand the ways that our national origin stories continue to unfairly impact the lives of Indigenous peoples today. Kendra is committed to advancing Indigenous wisdom and extends deep gratitude to all of the Indigenous colleagues, friends, Elders, mentors, knowledge keepers and community members she has met along the way for their teachings and patience as she continues to grow and aims do things in a good way.

Gentle Yoga Wellness - Live Workshop
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Kendra Deveau

In this virtual workshop, participants will be guided through a grounding, low intensity yoga practice and encouraged to work with their breath and body in an accessible way. 

No equipment is required, however if participants wish they may roll out a yoga mat and use whatever props they have available (blocks, bolsters, rolled up towels/blankets). 

A combination of seated and standing poses will be incorporated, with reminders for people to work within their own range of motion and comfort. This session is available to everyone, regardless of your level of yoga experience. Chair based options will be provided wherever possible as well for those participants who wish to remain seated throughout the class.

Weekly Closing Prayer
1:30 p.m.

We will close our week with Elder stories and prayers, a summary of the week, and announce the weekly prize winners.

Elder Teachings & Weekly Opening Prayer
9:00 a.m.

Start the week in a good way by joining us for traditional teachings and prayers from our Elders.

Inuunivut (Our way of Life)
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Atsinak Bishop

Watch the recorded presentation here.

Join Atsinak Bishop and learn as she talks about the Inuk way of life. Atsinak will be talking about how she grew up, the traditional way of living and culture of Inuit.

Social Singing & Dancing
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Adrian Goulet

Watch the recorded presentation here.

Drumming & dancing, emphasizes self-expression, teaches how to rebuild emotional health, and addresses issues of violence and conflict through expression and integration of emotions.” 

Join Mahegun Tails Inc. for an hour, about the importance of drumming & dancing, in the Indigenous community, through song, stories and discussion. 

Wellness, Personal Journeys & Stories
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Alana LaMalice

Through her story of addictions and recovery - Alana has an unwavering belief in wellness rooted in resilience, spirituality, and ceremonies.  

Land Acknowledgement Education Session
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Jamie Harmon

 Watch the recorded presentation here.

Inspired by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Land Acknowledgments are a stepping-stone in the reconciliation process. This presentation provides a look at Land Acknowledgments through an Indigenous lens. 

 - What is a Land Acknowledgment?

- Why a Land Acknowledgment?

- When to do a Land Acknowledgment?

- How to do a Land Acknowledgment?

Elder Teachings & Weekly Closing Prayer
1:30 p.m.

We will close our week with Elder stories and prayers, a summary of the week, and announce the weekly prize winners.

Elder Teachings & Weekly Opening Prayer
9:00 a.m. 

Start the week in a good way by joining us for traditional teachings and prayers from our Elders.

Medicine Wheel Teachings
12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Chantal Chagnon
Watch the recorded presentation here.
Chantal Chagnon from Cree8 will share Medicine Wheel teachings and a traditional smudge.

A Walk through the AHS Healing Gardens
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Germain Wells

Watch the recorded presentation here.

Bill C92: An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Carol Carifelle-Brzezicki

Watch the recorded presentation here.

Carol Carifelle-Brzezicki on will present Métis citizens’ response to Act C.92 to date, including how the Act will change jurisdiction of Provincial Social Workers and Citizens of the Métis Nation within Alberta.

Closing Ceremonies
12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Watch the recorded presentation here.