ELIZABETH MÉTIS SETTLEMENT – Elizabeth Métis Settlement is among the recipients of grant funding through the provincial Indigenous Primary Health Care Innovation Fund. The funds will be used for an elder care facility in the community.
Council chair Kathy Lepine stated that Elizabeth Métis Settlement, which is located 36 km south of Cold Lake, is happy to have been selected to receive the funding.
“We don’t really have a health centre . . . so having something in the community is a plus for our elders,” Lepine said. “This facility represents a significant investment in our community and is a testament to the growing need of quality care for our elders.”
According to information from the Government of Alberta, the Indigenous Primary Health Care Innovation Fund is one of two new grant programs totalling about $25 million.
The $20 million Indigenous Primary Health Care Innovation Fund is supporting 14 community-led initiatives in Indigenous and Métis communities across Alberta, which includes virtual care clinics, cultural reconnection, facility upgrades, and elder care.
Along with Elizabeth Métis Settlement, Samson Cree Nation, Stoney Nakoda Tsuut'ina Tribal Council Ltd., and Dene Tha’ First Nation also received grant funding through the initiative.
Additionally, the Primary Care Innovation Fund is spending $5 million to support five projects in Alberta that will help to improve access to care, support early detection of dementia, provide post-reproductive care for women, and advance research and clinical trials.
Lepine did not provide details about how much funding the settlement received, or the estimated cost or size of the elder-focused centre. However, she did say that such a facility will enable elders to access various services and have their health needs addressed without having to travel far from home.
Aid offered at the future medical facility, according to Lepine, could include things like wellness checks, medication deliveries, and diabetic checks.
As for when work could get underway on the senior medical facility, Lepine explained that officials with Elizabeth Métis Settlement have received approval from the province, partial payment is in place, and a location on the settlement has also been picked. From here, she added, members of council and administration will be sitting down to start working on further details.
“We are eager to be providing a welcoming and supportive environment for our elders,” Lepine said.
According to information from the Government of Alberta, “The Métis Lifeways Elders Care Initiative is a transformative project focused on a comprehensive Elder care facility within Elizabeth Métis Settlement. This facility will address significant gaps in health care access for [Elizabeth Métis Settlement] Elders through a blend of modern health care services and traditional Métis cultural practices.”
Rajan Sawhney, Alberta’s minister of Indigenous Relations, said ensuring that Indigenous communities have access to quality primary health care that aligns with their unique needs is a priority for the provincial government.
“The Indigenous Primary Health Care Innovation Fund empowers communities to lead the way in developing solutions that enhance care, support cultural traditions and improve health outcomes for Indigenous peoples across the province,” said Sawhney.
Adriana LaGrange, the provincial minister of primary and preventative health services, said a strong, reliable primary health care system is the foundation of the entire health care system.
“These strategic investments are helping to make that a reality for families across Alberta. They are especially meaningful for Indigenous communities, as they support culturally safe care that respects traditional knowledge and addresses unique community needs,” LaGrange stated.
Support line
The Government of Alberta is also furthering support access to primary care for Indigenous patients and families by expanding the provincial Indigenous Support Line. The support line will be expanded to Edmonton and Calgary on June 1.
According to the province, the phone line has supported more than 10,000 callers over the past three years with health system navigation, access to cultural supports, and language services.
