Improving Emergency Medical Response Capability in the Metis Settlements of Alberta

The Metis Settlements of Alberta consists of the following eight communities: Buffalo Lake, East Prairie, Elizabeth, Fishing Lake, Gift Lake, Kikino, Paddle Prairie and Peavine, covering 1.25 million acres and is the only recognized Métis land base in Canada.

This project is part of the overall Metis Settlements Primary Care Initiative that includes the aim to improve emergency medical response capability in the Metis Settlements. In partnership with the Metis Settlements Health Board, the project is led by AHS North Zone Operations with support from the AHS Indigenous Wellness Core, Innovation Evidence Evaluation & Impact, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and Indigenous Talent Acquisition teams.

Through the Alberta Boehringer-Ingelheim Collaboration Fund, a partnership between Boehringer Ingelheim Canada Ltd. (BICL), the Government of Alberta, and the University Hospital Foundation (UHF), we are offering training programs at no cost to Metis Settlement members.

These training programs will help Settlement members start careers in the health care field while providing services to their communities during their times of need. AHS will support students who complete the Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) training and licensing requirements, to apply for positions with AHS Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and possibly work in and around their own community. By providing interested community leaders and volunteers with courses, such as Psychological First Aid, they will be better equipped to support members in need and can complement the AHS Mental Health Support travelling program and related services. This training supports the Settlements in bolstering Medical First Response (MFR) partnerships with AHS by having trained community members to assist with emergency responses before, during, and after EMS arrives.

The following courses are available:

• Standard First Aid & CPR
  Recommended for Metis Settlement members, leaders, administration staff, volunteers, and fire and rescue first responders.
• Psychological First Aid
  Recommended for Metis Settlement members, leaders, administration staff and volunteers.
• Psychological First Aid Facilitator Training
  Metis Settlements members, leaders, administration staff and volunteers with group or workshop facilitation skills and experience who will commit to facilitating a minimum of 2 workshops per year over a two-year period using AHS approved materials.
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention
  Recommended for Metis Settlement staff, community leaders, and volunteers.
• Emergency Medical Responder
  Recommended for Metis Settlements members, (age 18+) wishing to pursue a career in healthcare, and fire and rescue first responders.

For more information, review the FAQ or email MetisTraining@ahs.ca.

This project aligns with the Indigenous Wellness Core and North Zone Operation’s strategic commitment to “Ways of Working.” That is, Listening, Understanding, Acting, and Being, with and for the Metis Settlements of Alberta to achieve health equity, as outlined in the Indigenous Health Commitments: Roadmap to Wellness. It also aligns with AHS’ Indigenous Talent Acquisition's commitment to recruit more Indigenous professionals in healthcare in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Call to Action #23.