Four Winds Initiative
The Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Health System (PRIHS) Indigenous Patient Navigator project has the goal of helping Indigenous Patients and their families to navigate the complexities of the health system and to help them through the different transitions during their journey in and out of care. We know Indigenous people continue to experience barriers in accessing health care leading to health inequities and poor health outcomes compared to other segments of the population.
This project will work with Indigenous patients and families to co-design a navigation service with the goals of providing smoother access to services, creating better connections to health and other community services, and ultimately improving health outcomes.
To learn more or to access Four Winds Indigenous Patient Navigation services, please contact us:
Kara Eagle Bear, Indigenous Patient Navigator | T: (403) 634-0939 | |
Jeremy Chief Calf, Indigenous Patient Navigator | T: (403) 634-0930 | |
Program Email: fourwinds@ahs.ca |
The Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Health System (PRIHS) Indigenous Patient Navigator project has the goal of helping Indigenous Patients and their families to navigate the complexities of the health system and to help them through the different transitions during their journey in and out of care. We know Indigenous people continue to experience barriers in accessing health care leading to health inequities and poor health outcomes compared to other segments of the population.
This project will work with Indigenous patients and families to co-design a navigation service with the goals of providing smoother access to services, creating better connections to health and other community services, and ultimately improving health outcomes.
To learn more or to access Four Winds Indigenous Patient Navigation services, please contact us:
Kara Eagle Bear, Indigenous Patient Navigator | T: (403) 634-0939 | |
Jeremy Chief Calf, Indigenous Patient Navigator | T: (403) 634-0930 | |
Program Email: fourwinds@ahs.ca |
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Elders Announce Indigenous Name for PRIHS Project
Share Elders Announce Indigenous Name for PRIHS Project on Facebook Share Elders Announce Indigenous Name for PRIHS Project on Twitter Share Elders Announce Indigenous Name for PRIHS Project on Linkedin Email Elders Announce Indigenous Name for PRIHS Project linkIndigenous Elders Morris Little Wolf (Piikani), Winston Wadsworth (Kainai), Alice Zwart (Inuit), Alice Bissonette (Metis) and Beatrice Little Mustache (Piikani) gathered to discuss the naming of the South Zone Indigenous Patient Navigation Model project.
Through the Creator, "Four Winds" was identified.
Wind is of significance in the Blackfoot, Inuit and Métis cultures.
Wind is also significant to the South Zone (chinook winds).
Wind is never ending and transcends all cultures.
Winds bring calm and relaxation.
Wind also signifies a journey.
Wind is cleansing and healing.
Wind also comes from 4 directions (like the medicine wheel).
Wind is invisible – a power that you don’t see.
The Four Winds project hopes to support and provide navigation services for Indigenous patients and their families. Moving from having to chase support, to feeling the support, like a warm wind.
A naming transfer and Pipe Ceremony was held on August 21, 2019.
The ceremony was a heart touching and emotional experience. Special thanks to the Elders for leading the steering committee through such a special cultural tradition and for telling such meaningful and impactful stories.
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Launch of Indigenous Patient Navigation Project
Share Launch of Indigenous Patient Navigation Project on Facebook Share Launch of Indigenous Patient Navigation Project on Twitter Share Launch of Indigenous Patient Navigation Project on Linkedin Email Launch of Indigenous Patient Navigation Project linkJune 17, 2019
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Research aims to improve Indigenous health outcomes
Share Research aims to improve Indigenous health outcomes on Facebook Share Research aims to improve Indigenous health outcomes on Twitter Share Research aims to improve Indigenous health outcomes on Linkedin Email Research aims to improve Indigenous health outcomes linkResearch aims to improve Indigenous health outcomes
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New research hoping to improve health outcomes for the Indigenous population
Share New research hoping to improve health outcomes for the Indigenous population on Facebook Share New research hoping to improve health outcomes for the Indigenous population on Twitter Share New research hoping to improve health outcomes for the Indigenous population on Linkedin Email New research hoping to improve health outcomes for the Indigenous population linkNew research hoping to improve health outcomes for the Indigenous population - Lethbridge News Now
Who's listening
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Scientific Director, Lead Investigator of Four Winds Initiative
AHS Indigenous Wellness Core
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Email kienan.williams@ahs.ca -
Senior Project Manager SZ Indigenous Patient Navigator Project
AHS Indigenous Wellness Core
Email leslie.wells@ahs.ca -
Email kara.eaglebear@ahs.ca -
Email jeremy.chiefcalf@ahs.ca
Project Timeline
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PRIHS Grant Awarded (Jan 2019)
Four Winds Initiative has finished this stage -
Grant Management & Project Set-Up (Jan - June 2019)
Four Winds Initiative has finished this stage -
Steering Committee Meeting and Project Naming/Pipe Ceremony (Aug 21, 2019)
Four Winds Initiative has finished this stage -
Develop Research and Evaluation Tools (Apr-Aug 2019)
Four Winds Initiative has finished this stage -
Stakeholder Engagement Session 1 (Sept 10, 2019)
Four Winds Initiative has finished this stage -
Working Groups Started (Jan 2020)
Four Winds Initiative has finished this stageWorking groups include:
- Connections and Communications
- Navigation
- Cultural Safety
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Indigenous Patient Navigation Services Goes Live (Oct 2020)
Four Winds Initiative has finished this stage -
Pandemic hiatus (Mar 2020 - Mar 2022)
Four Winds Initiative has finished this stage -
Program relaunch (Apr 2022)
Four Winds Initiative has finished this stage- Hiring of Senior Project Manager (Apr 4, 2022)
- Relaunch of Steering Committee (June 2022)
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Hiring of Indigenous Patient Navigators (Sept 2022)
Four Winds Initiative has finished this stage -
Indigenous Patient Navigator Services start (Oct 15, 2022)
Four Winds Initiative has finished this stage -
Indigenous Patient Navigator program goes live (Jan 10, 2023)
Four Winds Initiative is currently at this stage
Supporting Documents
- Indigenous Patient Navigation brochure _ April 2023 (449 KB) (pdf)
- Four Winds Overview Documents
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Publications and Media Mentions
- AHS Media - Indigenous-led Patient Navigation services re-launched (Jan 2023)
- Lethbridge Herald - Indigenous-led Patient Navigation service re-launched (Jan 2023)
- Lethbridge News Now - New service to help Indigenous peoples in southern Alberta navigate health services (Jan 2023)
- My Lethbridge Now - Indigenous support program returns to Lethbridge Hospital (Jan 2023)
- Lethbridge Herald - Jan 2019 (149 KB) (pdf)
- Lethbridge News Now - Jan 31, 2019 - New Research Hoping to Improve Health Outcomes for the Indigenous Population (888 KB) (pdf)
- AHS Media - Jan 31, 2019 - Research Aims to Improve Indigenous Health Outcomes (67.1 KB) (pdf)
- IPN Launch GlobeMail_1.jpg (113 KB) (jpg)
- IPN Launch GlobeMail_2.jpg (142 KB) (jpg)
- Lethbridge Herald - June 20, 2019 - PRIHS Launch Celebration (1.43 MB) (pdf)
- ELT Notables - Nov 2019 (949 KB) (pdf)
- AHS South Zone Bulletin - November 2019 - Four Winds project steering committee zeroes in on solutions (2.01 MB) (pdf)
- 2018/2019 Research and Innovation Annual Report - page 21 (2.98 MB) (pdf)