Partners put focus on holistic health of Indigenous community

Maskwacis Wellness Fair features health screenings, tests, treatments

Story & photo by Tracy Kennedy

MASKWACIS — More than 60 organizations and 250 community members celebrated holistic health through partnership at the Maskwacis Wellness Fair: Partners in Health – Together We are Better!

Held at the Ermineskin Hockey Arena, the event featured health screening and assessments, testing and treatment of STIs and Hepatitis C, immunizations, program referrals, health information, entertainment and lunch.

“In partnering with health providers, social supports and others, our goal was to break down barriers to care and support — all in one space,” says Cari Egan, a lead for Partnerships & Implementation Science, Research and Innovation with Primary Care Alberta.

“Everyone came together in June to provide an experience for community members that celebrated the opportunities to access a wide range of services that support long-term mental, physical and social wellness,” says Egan.

Community members encouraged coordinators — including host Maskwacis Health Services, along with Recovery Alberta, Primary Care Alberta and Alberta Health Services — to collaborate to provide a positive and holistic event.

Laureen Crane, a health promoter with Maskwacis Health Services’ Health Promotion, says it’s crucial to raise awareness of their services and network with other partners also serving the community.

“It’s important to see how we can connect to our people and give an understanding of what our program is all about. We are an outreach program and develop materials to give out to the public,” says Crane.

“We want to help people understand and acknowledge their illness and help families understand what their family members are going through.

“This has been awesome because I’ve met other teams we can reach out to in future who can come and do events in our area, or we can go to their communities and work together as a team.”

Organizations from Maskwacis, Wetaskiwin, Ponoka, Red Deer and Edmonton took part, including Samson Community Wellness, Kickstand, Central Alberta Sexual Assault Response Team, Community Legal Clinic, Young Spirit Winds Treatment Program and dozens more.

Anthony Young, an attendee and resident of Ermineskin Cree Nation, says alcohol and drug abuse are his community’s biggest issues. He felt heartened to see organizations at the event with this as their focus, particularly where it comes to youth.

“Youth are our power, and we need to make (raising them) a communal thing. Start from here, this event is awesome. It covers everything,” says Young.

“We all have to keep on working toward that ideal we all have in our heads how we want the reserve to be. And we can’t do it apart; we have to do it together.”

Bonny Graham, program manager for the Community Health and Medical Clinic with Maskwacis Health Services, says she’s heard nothing but positive feedback on the event — and agrees that working together is key.

“It was a great day for all. It’s really beneficial to healthcare and support workers to meet partners in person. Putting a face to a name and seeing firsthand the potential services that can be provided to on- and off-reserve band members enhances the entirety of service offerings to communities,” she adds.

“By working together, we can do better and be better holistically — emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually.”