April 12, 2021
Members of the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Indigenous Engagement Committee pose on the grounds after taking a tour of the new hospital last year. Photo by Lisa Laferriere
Alberta Health Services gained possession of the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital in June 2020. Operational planning and commissioning is now underway at the new facility. Photo by Sara Blake
Courtyards and outdoor spaces at the new hospital include landscaping with greenery that’s native to the region as well as pathways that provide access to nearby Bear Creek and Maskwôtêh Park. Photo by Sara Blake
Story by Sara Blake
GRANDE PRAIRIE — The Grande Prairie Regional Hospital (GPRH) Indigenous Engagement Committee first met in 2019 to guide the development of an Indigenous cultural space in the new Alberta Health Services (AHS) hospital taking shape here.
“Our overarching goal with bringing this group together was to ensure the new hospital is a culturally safe space for our Indigenous patients and families,” says Stacy Greening, senior operating officer for Grande Prairie and co-chair of the committee.
Greening chairs the group with Len Auger, vice-president of the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre. Auger works with various groups, including the Patient and Family Advisory Committee which reports to the Health Quality Council of Alberta, to advocate for greater awareness of issues facing all Albertans, including Indigenous people.
“The cultural space will be a comfortable gathering place for patients and families to hold traditional prayer or ceremonial activities,” says Auger. “By building this space we’re also encouraging cultural awareness. It’s an opportunity to educate and showcase Indigenous history and traditions at our new hospital.”
As work to develop the cultural space progressed, the group has sparked discussion about building greater cultural sensitivity among staff and expanding the Indigenous workforce in healthcare as outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s calls to action.
“It quickly became clear that we needed to broaden our focus in order to effect genuine understanding and growth,” adds Greening. “There’s much more involved in creating a welcoming environment than just the physical surroundings.”
Auger says encouraging workplace diversity in a measurable way builds mutual acceptance and helps patients and families feel welcome when seeking care. Many years ago, he worked for a company that believed in inclusive workforce goals and targets to ensure Indigenous people joined the workforce.
“We had a diverse group as a result and there was a culture of respect,” he adds. “Employees were evaluated not only on their ability to operate and do their jobs, but also on their behaviour and attitudes — their ability to work with others regardless of background.”
The committee he now co-chairs includes Indigenous representatives from throughout the region — as well as the High Prairie, Peace River and Grande Cache areas — to bring together different perspectives and ideas on how best to honour Indigenous culture and history.
The need to elevate the roles of Indigenous Health liaisons and expand translation services to include more Indigenous languages have also been discussed.
The committee’s success to date has also led to the creation of a separate frontline group to focus on diversity and inclusion at the GPRH and the existing Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) Hospital in Grande Prairie. Greening says the evolution of the Indigenous Engagement Committee will continue once the new hospital opens to the public, slated for later this year.
“This needs to be an ongoing partnership that continues once the new hospital is open,” says Greening. “We’ve developed a robust team that influences how care will be delivered, fostering policies and procedures supportive of Indigenous patients and families as they travel through the healthcare system. Maintaining a committee like this over the long-term holds us accountable and helps ensure a better healthcare system for everyone.”
Auger looks forward to increased participation from Indigenous youth and others as the committee progresses.
“It’s important that we continue to seek information and understanding,” says Auger. “We’re getting good input and I see the commitment from leadership. There’s more we want to work towards, but I believe we’re on the right track.”
For more information on the new hospital and the GPRH Indigenous Engagement Committee, visit Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Update | Together 4 Health
