Alberta Health Services has renewed its long-standing partnership with the Alberta Native Friendship Centers Association (ANFCA) for another three years.
Allows the two organizations to work together to “improve access to culturally safe health care and health outcomes for Indigenous peoples,” according to a news release.
Health Minister Jason Copping said in the same news story, “By building meaningful relationships and listening to our Indigenous communities, we believe we can create partnerships that can improve the health and well-being of Indigenous people who live in Alberta and we We can do it together.” release.
ANFCA operates 21 Membership Friendship Centers throughout the province to identify the needs of individual communities and provide assistance through programs including daycare, youth centers, alternative schools, employment programs, shelters, cultural camps, life skills programs, and health promotion. works with.
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“Friendship Centers continue to provide a safe space and a voice to Indigenous clients, especially those living outside traditional areas and settlements. The relationship we continue to foster is critical to the health and well-being of all Indigenous peoples and we rely on this relationship to improve health outcomes for Indigenous clients,” said Mauro Chis, AHS Interim President and CEO he said.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the two organizations worked together to provide support for the Indigenous community by helping them access vaccines and daily conversations to support clients.
“Friendship Centers have been providing programs to Indigenous peoples for more than 60 years and their role in providing health programming and support services has been undervalued and overlooked,” said ANFCA Janet McInnis, Acting Executive Director.
“ANFCA looks forward to continuing our positive working relationship with AHS with this new affiliation agreement and supporting the voices of the 21-member Friendship Centers and the communities they serve.”
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