April 11, 2023
GRANDE PRAIRIE – Grande Prairie Regional Hospital (GPRH) has streamlined how a traditional ceremony is made available to Indigenous patients and families.
The traditional Indigenous practice of smudging involves burning sacred plants, such as sage or sweetgrass, accompanied by prayer. This can play an important role in an Indigenous patient's healing journey.
When patients and families at the hospital request an opportunity to smudge, maintenance staff activate a unique part of the hospital's computerized building management system which allows for air from the room to be ventilated outdoors rather than recirculating this air through the building. The process typically takes less than 20 minutes.
When smudging is complete, the hospital's on-site Indigenous Health Coordinator directs maintenance crews to shift ventilation back to normal operations.
The new system has been utilized nearly 200 times since it became operational last year.
Candice Edey, Alberta Health Services (AHS) Senior Operating Officer for Grande Prairie, says the hospital's Indigenous Engagement Committee suggested making smudging more accessible during the commissioning phase of the new hospital.
"Our Facilities Maintenance & Engineering team then worked to create this new process to ensure smudging is available in a timely manner," says Edey.
Grande Prairie Regional Hospital is the first AHS site to facilitate smudging in this way.
Smudging and pipe ceremonies create minimal smoke and are listed as exceptions in existing government legislation and AHS policies around open flame and smoke. AHS encourages smudging for all patients who request it.
"It's about providing better support to our Indigenous communities which, in turn, supports the AHS patient-first strategy," says Brendan Martins, lead hand with Facilities Maintenance & Engineering at the hospital and a member of the Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation from Saskatchewan. "The Elders involved were impressed we were working to make this possible. It's been an extremely positive experience, which wouldn't have been possible without support from the management team here."
Shannon Dunfield, manager of Indigenous Health and Diversity in the AHS North Zone, says the service has improved the hospital experience for many Indigenous patients.
"Offering the ability to smudge is a huge step towards reconciliation," she says. "This helps our people feel welcome, comforted and culturally safe when they come to the hospital."
Healthcare organizations such as AHS have been called upon in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action to incorporate traditional healing practices for Indigenous patients and families. AHS is working to provide a consistent approach to accommodating ceremonies so, no matter where in the province patients are, they can expect the same standard of care.
"Incorporating smudging and other elements of Indigenous culture is an important step towards helping Indigenous people feel welcome and supported while receiving care," says Jason Copping, Minister of Health. "I'm glad to see steps being made to ensure these healing practices are available at AHS facilities throughout the province."
For more information on how to request a smudge, patients or loved ones can speak with their care providers or the Indigenous Health Coordinator at their site.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait-times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.
