Photo From www.albertahealthservices.ca

By Chris Brown

Patients will be supported to hold smudging, pipe ceremonies at AHS facilities

Jun 21, 2023 | 3:07 PM

Alberta Health Services is expanding supports to make the practice of Indigenous spiritual ceremonies inside all AHS facilities easier for patients.

AHS announced the Patient Access to Indigenous Spiritual Ceremony Policy on Wednesday, which is National Indigenous Peoples Day. It will ensure all patients are supported to hold ceremonies no matter where in the province they are receiving care, AHS says.

Smudging and pipe ceremonies play an important role in Indigenous patients’ healing journey and are practised by many Indigenous cultures as a way of cleansing the body, mind, spirit and emotions.

“It is very important for Indigenous people to pray and make that connection with the Creator every day, and even more important if we are healing and are sick,” says Sheila ‘Penny’ Fox, a traditional wellness coordinator with AHS Indigenous Wellness Core. “It is very difficult for an Indigenous person to go into an unknown place and feel comfortable, feel safe and willing to receive care. Reducing these barriers brings us peace, improves trust and promotes healing.”

Dedicated AHS Indigenous Wellness Core staff, Indigenous hospital liaisons and traditional wellness coordinators are available throughout the province to assist in facilitating ceremonies.

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Incorporating traditional healing practices for Indigenous patients and families into Canadian health-care systems was one of the recommendations in the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action.

Health Minister Adriana LaGrange says this new policy and other resources will help make AHS facilities more welcoming and inclusive for Indigenous peoples.