八年前的美好愿景如今变为现实， 尼伊撕塔皮学习中心​ (NLC) 与阿尔伯塔卫生服务局（AHS）携手庆祝艾尔博河康复小屋正式开业―该中心为 NLC 学生和家庭提供全面和初级医疗保健服务。

在践行布莱克富特族的生存价值中，即忍受生活的风暴，建立诊所展现了决心、勇气以及协力和合作伙伴关系的力量。NLC 社区咨询协会和 AHS 老年智囊团想要一个提供全面和初级医疗保健服务的诊所，从印第安人的视角出发，包括家庭中的其他亲属。

“学校对家庭进行了调查，了解他们需要什么支持和服务，” 原住民教育系统主任 Michelle Ranger 表示。

“尽管家庭对医生、护士执业者、心理健康支持、牙科和视力检查服务表示感激，但我们发现他们需要传统文化和全面的支持，包括与长者交流、仪式支持和印第安医学的接触。

艾尔博河康复小屋确实意在减少学生和家庭可能面临的医疗服务获取和沟通障碍，以更好地支持每个学生的成长和健康。

“孩子的健康和幸福与家庭密不可分。这家诊所嵌入式在一个以印第安为中心的学校内，通过与联合卫生合作伙伴和教育工作者合作，创建全面关怀的方法，体现了这种理解，”艾尔博河康复小屋医疗主任Matt Ray 博士表示。

“通过减少障碍和增强医疗服务的获取，我们不仅支持个别儿童；还培养更有活力、更健康的家庭和社区。”

NLC 校长 Tracy Rand 强调了打破这些障碍的重要性，并指出在健康需求影响学习时，学校与医疗提供者之间的明确沟通对于支持学生至关重要。

“要让你了解到这家诊所将会带来怎样的不同，想象一下一个孩子常常受到耳朵感染的困扰，但由于他们的家庭无法轻松接触到医生，感染情况得不到治疗，导致缺课和难以专注学习，” Rand 说道。

“有了健康诊所的支持，这个孩子和他的父母一起可以在学校就能得到他们所需的关怀，减少对他们学习的干扰。这家诊所不仅仅提供初级保健服务，还提供文化响应性关怀。”

与艾尔博河康复小屋的合作代表了走向真相和和解的一步，直接应对加拿大真相与和解委员会的第 22 号行动号召。这一行动号召强调了承认和整合印第安人康复实践到卫生服务中，确保印第安人得到公平的文化适宜关怀的重要性。通过与艾尔博河康复小屋的合作，卡尔加里教育局不仅仅提供了印第安中心的医疗服务，还尊重传统实践，积极努力减少医疗服务不平等。

Rand 校长指出了学生和家庭感到在尊重他们文化身份的支持中的重要性。

“当孩子们感到安全、受到尊重和理解时，这会对他们的健康和学习产生积极影响。我们共同打破医疗服务的障碍，确保我们的学生和家庭能够获得他们在学校和之后发展所需的关怀。为更健康的未来和更光明的学习成果干杯！”

​​​Realizing 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!”​​