Indigenous-led change to local healthcare
A Joint health initiative by:
Supporting partners:
Together, we can do better.
The Better Together Project (BTP) is an act of cultural reclamation, preservation and reconciliation dedicated to reawakening the ancestral healing practices within Wood Buffalo in Treaty 8 territory.
This collaborative project is working with First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities in the region through a process of engagement designed to collect and integrate feedback to create culturally inclusive services in an Indigenous Health Space at the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre (NLRHC).
BTP will change how healthcare and healing are approached locally, creating a safe space for Indigenous wellness for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people.
Better Together Project invites all Indigenous community members, healthcare workers, and others to join in collaboration.
The BTP partners are gathering with Indigenous communities, building relationships, and deepening understanding of how to improve health services. The BTP team will demonstrate accountability and build trust with Indigenous communities by providing updates and encouraging feedback on the Indigenous-led design of an Indigenous Health Space at Northern Lights Regional Health Centre.
Through ongoing discussions and feedback from community leadership and members, the project will also explore service delivery models within communities to reduce barriers to accessing high-quality healthcare as well as land-based health and healing.
The BTP will produce culturally appropriate, self-determined services and programs within Treaty 8 and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
BTP wants to fix unfair healthcare and bring back the traditional ways of staying healthy for Indigenous people in the area. Indigenous people must have control of their health, bring back their culture and improve well-being for all.
the creation of the Better Together Project
For many years and generations, Indigenous community members have shared their bad and often traumatic experiences with the mainstream healthcare system. The stories show a lack of care and a deep mistrust in mainstream healthcare.
These stories are shared by the Chiefs of the five First Nations who are members of the Athabasca Tribal Council (ATC). These five Chiefs are ATC’s Board of Directors and are united to work to improve healthcare access and delivery, ensuring care, tradition, and understanding are provided to their people.
In 2022, when the Willow Square Continuing Care Centre was built, the hospital's fourth floor was left empty without a clear plan. A partnership was formed between Alberta Health Services (AHS) and ATC to create a space that addresses the barriers Indigenous people face in getting healthcare. They signed an official agreement called a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
This partnership is called the Better Together Project (BTP). Both partners are dedicated to BTP’s goals and will give what's needed to make it successful.
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Seeds of Change
Learn more about the Indigenous-led foundations that guide the changes we are making to the healthcare system.
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Status Updates
Learn about what we have accomplished so far, what our next steps are, and how you can get involved and provide feedback.
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Tell us Your Story
We want to hear about your experiences accessing and receiving healthcare within the Wood Buffalo regions. You matter, and your stories will help us make positive changes for everyone!
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Donate
Your support will have a impact and will help to improve the community and bringing a positive change into Indigenous health and healing.
