提供综合和初级卫生保健服务的现场健康诊所，为NLC学生和家庭服务。 & nbsp; & nbsp;

八年前开始的愿景，《Niitsitapi Learning Centre​​》（NLC）与阿尔伯塔健康服务（AHS）合作，很高兴宣布开设Elbow River Healing Lodge - 提供综合和初级卫生保健服务的现场健康诊所，为NLC学生和家庭提供服务。 & nbsp; & nbsp;

在Blackfoot价值观iikakimat到处的实践中，意味着在生活的风暴中坚持下去，建立诊所表明了决心、勇气和集体努力与合作伙伴关系的力量。创始人NLC社区顾问和AHS长者智慧委员会希望提供亲身接受卫生和初级卫生保健服务的综合的本土观点的诊所，包括在家庭中扩大家庭的服务。 & nbsp;

“学校调查了家庭的需求，寻求他们正在寻找和需要的支持和服务，”原住民教育体系主管Michelle Ranger说。 & nbsp;

“虽然家庭很感激提供的医生、执业护士、心理健康支持和牙科和视力筛查服务，但据确定存在对传统文化和综合支持的需求，包括长辈、仪式和印 第安药物的服务。” & nbsp; & nbsp;

Elbow River Healing Lodge的真正目的是减少学生和家庭可能面临的进入和沟通障碍，以使卫生和教育需求与支持每位学生的成长和福祉更好地保持一致。 & nbsp;

“儿童的健康和福祉不能与他们的家庭分开。这个诊所，嵌入在一个面向原住民的学校中，通过与联合卫生合作伙伴和教育者合作，反映了这种理解，以创造一种对护理的综合方法。”Elbow River Healing Lodge的医学总监Matt Ray博士说。 & nbsp;

“通过减少障碍和增强对医疗保健的获取，我们不仅仅支持个别儿童；我们也在培育更强、更健康的家庭和社区。” & nbsp;

NLC校长Tracy Rand强调了打破这些障碍的重要性，以及清晰的学校和医疗保健提供者之间的沟通对于支持学生在健康需求影响学习时的重要性。 & nbsp;

“为了让您了解此诊所将产生什么影响，请想象一个经常患耳部感染的孩子，但由于他们的家庭无法轻松接触医生，感染得不到治疗，导致缺课和学习难度。”Rand表示。 & nbsp;  

“有了保健诊所的支持，这个孩子和他的父母可以在学校就能得到他们需要的护理，最大限度地减少对他们学习的干扰。这个诊所不仅提供初级护理；它还提供文化响应性的护理。” & nbsp;

与Elbow River Healing Lodge的合作代表了通向真实和和解的一步，并直接应对了加拿大真相和和解委员会行动号召22号。这一行动呼吁强调了承认和整合印第安人治疗实践到医疗服务中的重要性，确保印第安人能够公平获得适合文化的护理。与Elbow River Healing Lodge的合作，卡尔加里教育委员会不仅提供对印第安中心卫生保健的获取，还尊重传统做法，并积极努力减少卫生保健不平等。 & nbsp;

Rand校长强调了学生和家庭感受到支持并受到尊重对于他们文化身份来说有多么重要。 & nbsp;

“当孩子们感到安全、受到尊重并且得到理解时，这对他们的健康和学习是积极的影响。我们一起打破卫生保健的障碍，确保我们的学生和家庭能够访问他们需要的护理，以便在学校和以后茁壮成长。祝愿更健康的未来和更光明的学习结果！”​​

​​​​​​​​​​​On-site wellness clinic offering holistic and primary health care services for NLC students and families.  

A vision that started more than eight years ago, Niitsitapi Learning Centre​ (NLC) in partnership with Alberta Health Services (AHS) is pleased to celebrate the official opening of Elbow River Healing Lodge – an on-site wellness clinic offering holistic and primary health care services for NLC students and families.  

In the practice of the Blackfoot value of iikakimat, which means to persevere through life’s storms, establishing the clinic demonstrates determination, bravery and the power of collective effort and collaborative partnership. The founding    NLC community advisory and the AHS Elder Wisdom Council wanted an onsite clinic that provided holistic, primary health care services for students and families from an Indigenous perspective, including extended family in the home. 

“The school surveyed families, seeking what supports and services families were looking for and need,” said Michelle Ranger, System Principal, Indigenous Education. 

“And while families were appreciative of the physician, nurse practitioner, mental health support, dental and vision screening services offered, it was determined there was a need for traditional cultural and holistic supports, including access to Elders, ceremonial support and Indigenous medicines.”  

Elbow River Healing Lodge is truly intended to reduce access and communication barriers that students and families may be facing to align health, and education needs to better support each student’s growth and well-being.

“A child’s health and well-being cannot be separated from their family. This clinic, embedded  in an Indigenous-focused school, reflects this understanding by collaborating with allied health partners and educators to create a holistic approach to care,” said Dr. Matt Ray, medical director of Elbow River Healing Lodge. 

“By reducing barriers and enhancing access to healthcare, we’re not just supporting individual children; we’re fostering stronger, healthier families and communities."

Tracy Rand, Principal of NLC, echoed the importance of breaking down these barriers and the importance of recognizing that clear communication between the school and healthcare providers is essential for supporting students when health needs affect learning.

“To give you a sense of how this clinic will make a difference imagine a child who struggles with regular ear infections, but because their family doesn’t have easy access to a doctor, the infection goes untreated leading to missed school days and difficulty focusing on learning,” said Rand.  

“With access to the wellness clinic, that child alongside their parent can get the care they need right here at school, minimizing disruptions to their learning. This clinic isn’t just about providing primary care; it’s about culturally responsive care.”

The collaboration with Elbow River Healing Lodge represents a step toward truth and reconciliation and directly addresses the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Call to Action #22​. This call to action emphasizes the importance of recognizing and integrating Indigenous healing practices into healthcare services, ensuring that Indigenous peoples receive equitable access to culturally appropriate care. In collaboration with Elbow River Healing Lodge, Calgary Board of Education is not only providing access to Indigenous-centered healthcare but also honouring traditional practices and actively working to reduce healthcare inequities. 

Principal Rand noted how important it is for students and families to feel supported in ways that honour their cultural identities. 

“When kids feel safe, respected, and understood, it positively impacts their health and their learning. Together, we are breaking down barriers to healthcare, ensuring our students and families have access to the care they need to thrive—both in school and beyond. Here’s to healthier futures ​and brighter learning outcomes!”​​