Category Archive: Uncategorized

Tips to Beat the Winter Blues

The month of January often brings change and new beginnings. Many Blood Tribe members set resolutions to eat better, move more, and quit unhealthy habits. However, this time of year can also be very stressful as holiday bills add up and the winter weather feels unending.

During these challenging times, it’s important to listen to our bodies. Our bodies are always talking to us, giving us clues about what we need to be healthy. These clues might include feeling hungry, thirsty, sad, scared, or even experiencing physical symptoms like headaches or stomach aches.

What other ways does your body try to talk to you?

By learning to read these clues, we can make choices that support our health and well-being. Simple daily habits such as getting enough rest, eating nutritious foods, drinking water, staying clean, brushing our teeth, and exercising are vital for maintaining health. Additionally, expressing gratitude each day helps keep our hearts and minds in a positive place.

Managing Stress

Stress is a natural response to challenging situations. Everyone experiences stress differently, and how we cope matters. Healthy coping strategies can help us feel calmer, more relaxed, and soothed.

Here are some tips for handling stress:

• Move around or exercise.
• Laugh out loud and have fun with friends.
• Take time to chill and rest.
• Keep a journal to reflect.
• Lend a hand to someone else.

Tips to Beat the Winter Blues

Taking care of our mental and physical health is crucial during the winter months. Here are some simple tips to boost your mood:

• Get plenty of natural light.
• Exercise regularly.
• Eat mood-boosting foods.
• Stay hydrated.
• Socialize and connect with others.
• Maintain a consistent routine.
• Take time for relaxation and self-care.
• Dress warmly and stay cozy.
• Enjoy seasonal activities.
• Seek professional help if needed.

Remember: Your health and well-being are important. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or need someone to talk to, our Wellness Team is here to help. Call 403-737-3883 for support.

Supporting Recovery While Respecting Privacy: A Message from Bringing the Spirit Home

At Bringing the Spirit Home (BTSH), we recognize the importance of family support in the recovery journey of those battling drug and alcohol addiction. Your care and encouragement play a crucial role in their healing. However, we must also emphasize the Kainayssini Traditional Values of our program: Inna’kootsiiyissinii, to have respect for the privacy of our participants.

Kimohpipo’tookoyi: Responsibility to Privacy

The BTSH program provides hope and healing for individuals fighting addiction. With a dedicated team of medical professionals, paramedics, counselors, peer support workers, and Elders, each client’s recovery journey is carefully tailored to their unique needs. To ensure this process is as seamless as possible, we strive to remove barriers to accessing services, allowing participants to focus entirely on their path to wellness.

We understand that patients value their privacy, which is why our facility’s admissions and detoxification treatments are designed to protect their personal information. Every aspect of our operations adheres to strict confidentiality guidelines, ensuring that participants feel safe and secure throughout their recovery journey.

Can I speak with the BTSH team to ask questions about my family member who is a participant in detox or pre-treatment?

As a licensed and accredited facility, Bringing the Spirit Home follows laws and procedures to safeguard the privacy of our participants. Without explicit consent from the individual, we cannot collect or share information about their recovery journey. This commitment to confidentiality allows participants to focus on their healing without external pressures or concerns about privacy.

The Impact of Addiction on Families

When someone struggles with addiction, it often affects the entire family. Communication may decrease as family members cope with the challenges addiction brings, sometimes even keeping the issue a secret from others. Responsibilities may shift, causing additional stress and tension within the household. These dynamics can lead to feelings of loneliness, frustration, fear, anger, shame, or guilt. Many family members may also feel hopeless or unsure of how to help.

At BTSH, we believe in balancing the vital role of family support with the need to respect each participant’s privacy. By ensuring confidentiality, we empower individuals to take control of their recovery in a safe and supportive environment. While we may not be able to share information about your loved one’s journey, we encourage families to seek their own support and resources to navigate the challenges that addiction can bring. To learn more about available mental health and wellness resources at the Blood Tribe Department of Health, visit: Wellness Program or call 403-737-3883.

Community Health Celebrates New Years Baby

The Blood Tribe Department of Health Community Health team proudly celebrated the arrival of Inaya Summer Small Eyes, the Blood Tribe 2025 New Year’s Baby!

Born on January 1, 2025, at 8:18 p.m., Inaya weighed 7 lbs 7 oz. Her proud parents are Chezney Small Eyes and Chase Medicine Crane. Baby Inaya was surrounded by love and showered with gifts during the celebration, which also paid tribute to the remarkable legacy of Community Health Nurse Tina Pace.

Tina dedicated nearly 30 years to serving our community. Each year, she organized the celebration and fundraising efforts to provide baby items and gift cards for the New Year’s Baby.

In honour of her life and contributions, Tina’s family continued her cherished tradition by donating a beautiful handmade star quilt and other thoughtful gifts to welcome the newest member of the Blood Tribe.

We extend our gratitude to our generous partners for their donations and to the Pace family for upholding Tina’s legacy of kindness and care. Please join us in sending warm wishes to this new family as they embark on their journey together.

Ways to give back during the Christmas season

This Christmas season, we invite you to join us in supporting our community members through meaningful contributions. Here are three ways you can make a difference:

1. Christmas Toy Drive 

Help us bring joy to Kainaiwa children!

• What to Donate: New, unwrapped gifts for children aged newborn to 17 years.
• Drop-Off Location: Bringing the Spirit Home Detox Centre, Monday to Friday, 8 AM–6 PM.
• Need a Pickup? Call (403) 737-8600 or text (403) 915-3550.
• Distribution Dates: December 23rd and 24th.

Let’s ensure every child experiences the magic of Christmas!

2. Winter Clothing Donation for the Lethbridge Wellness Shelter and Stabilization Unit 

Support those in need by donating warm winter clothing.

• What to Donate: Hats, mittens, scarves, jackets, and other winter essentials.
• Donation Bins Located At:
  • Blood Tribe Department of Health
  • Blood Tribe Administration
  • Red Crow Community College
  • BTEST
  • Kainai Board of Education
• Collection Date: The LWS-SU team will be picking up the bins on December 13 and distributing items to shelter guests at both the Lethbridge Wellness Shelter and White Calf Shelter in Standoff.

Your contributions will keep our community warm and cared for during the colder months.

3. Encourage Sobriety Through Giving 

Support members of our community in maintaining their sobriety during the holidays.

• What to Donate: Essential items that promote wellness and recovery. Click here for a full list of item ideas
• Contact Information: For a list of suggested items, please visit btdh.ca or contact Amanda Fox or Kyanni Thunder Chief at 403-737-8600.

Your generosity helps create a safe and supportive environment during the holiday season.

Thank you for spreading the holiday spirit with us!

Stay safe on the roads this winter

Winter driving comes with its own set of challenges, but with a little preparation and mindfulness, you can stay safe on the road. Here are some essential tips to keep you and your loved ones safe during the colder months: 

Before hitting the road, ensure your vehicle is ready for winter conditions by checking: 

• Make sure all tires (and spares) are properly inflated and have adequate tread. Consider winter tires for added traction. 
• Ensure your battery fully charged and in good condition to handle colder temperatures. 
• Top up your anti-freeze to prevent your engine from freezing. 
• Make sure your heaters functioning properly to keep you warm. 
• Replace windshield wipers if they’re worn, and fill up with winter-grade windshield washer fluid. 
• Check all your vehicle lights to ensure they’re working for visibility in shorter days and snowy conditions. 

Unexpected situations can happen, so be prepared with a well-stocked emergency kit. Include: 

• Warm items: Blankets, extra coats, gloves, and winter hats (toques). 
• Traction aids: Sandbags or road salt. (Car floor mats can be used for traction in a pinch)
• Ice scraper and snowbrush: Essential for clearing windshields and mirrors. 
• Shovel: Compact and sturdy for digging out of snow. 
• Booster cables: To get you or a fellow driver back on the road. 

A full tank helps avoid being stranded and ensures your vehicle runs efficiently in the cold. Taking a little extra time can make all the difference: 

• Warm up and clean snow off your vehicle before driving to ensure clear visibility. 
• Drive slowly: Remember, posted speed limits are for ideal conditions, and winter roads are far from ideal. 
• Give snowplows, graders and any other road maintenance vehicles the space to do their job and wait until they allow you to pass. 
• Increase your following distance: This gives you more time to stop safely on slippery roads. 
• Signal early: Indicate turns sooner than usual to give other drivers plenty of notice. 
• Avoid sudden braking or swerving, which can cause you to lose control on icy surfaces. 

Bundle up, plan ahead, and drive with care. Wishing you a safe and happy winter season! 

Donate to bringing the spirit home this holiday season

Christmas is around the corner and the team at Bringing the Spirit Home are wanting to make this holiday season special for our members who are accessing services.

During the holidays, we recognize that many of our members struggle with their mental health, being away from their families, and/or are grieving the loss of their loved ones. Please help us in encouraging our members to continue their sobriety this holiday season.

The following are gift suggestions; items are safe for participants to have while in detox and safe for use in external environments:

• Socks
• Plain shirts
• Gloves
• Caps
• Hand/Foot warmers
• Emergency blankets
• Toques
• Candy/Chocolate
• Puzzles
• Puzzle/Crossword books
• Adult coloring books
• Gel pens/Pencils
• Crayons/Markers/Pens for colouring
• Encouraging sobriety journals
• NotebooksPlanners
• Sage and Sweetgrass
• Smudge bowls
• Cigarettes/Tobacco
• Movie Mill gift cards
• Arts and crafts supplies

The Bringing the Spirit Home team will be gifting the presents on Wednesday, December 25, 2024.
For more information, contact Amanda Fox or Kyanni Thunder Chief at 403-737-8600.
Thank you in advance and have a safe, and healthy Christmas and New Year!

What’s the “trick” to handling halloween candy?

Provided by our BTDH Community Health Team

Halloween is a time for fun, treats, and family memories! Here are some tips from our team of dietitians to enjoy the holiday while keeping a balanced approach to sweets and snacks:

• Serve a Filling Meal and Water Before Trick-or-Treating: Having a satisfying dinner and lots of water will help reduce candy cravings while out and about.
• Include Candy with a Meal or Snack: Offering candy alongside a meal or filling snack can help balance out treats, so they’re enjoyed but don’t overwhelm.
• Avoid “Strings Attached” with Candy: Serve candy occasionally without restrictions. Avoid using it as a reward or making it seem like it’s off-limits.
• Skip Labels Like “Bad” or “Unhealthy”: Instead of putting labels on candy, describe its texture—like sticky, chewy, or crunchy—to make it a neutral experience.
• Drink Water and Brush After Treats: Drinking water and brushing after candy can help protect teeth from cavities and keep smiles healthy.
• Choose Neutral Language: Try saying, “I’m going to have a chocolate bar” instead of, “I’m being bad by eating this.” Keeping it neutral helps kids see candy as a normal treat.
• Share the Festive Fun: Halloween candy is nostalgic, festive, and meant to be enjoyed! Join your kids in the experience, celebrating the season together.
• Be Aware of Choking Hazards: Some candies may not be safe for younger kids—especially under one year old—so check for choking hazards and decide if they’re ready for candy.
• Remember, Moderation Helps! Restricting candy too much can make it more appealing to kids. It’s okay to serve candy at times you decide, but avoid making it forbidden.

We hope these tips add to a safe and fun Halloween for you and your family! Enjoy the holiday with a balance of fun and mindful choices.

Meet Rebecca and Lene: Authors of the Blood Tribe Addiction Framework

The Blood Tribe Addictions Framework is a comprehensive plan developed by the Blood Tribe to combat the ongoing drug crisis. The framework has served as a blueprint for community-driven solutions, including the establishment of the Bringing the Spirit Home Detox Program. This framework was written by Rebecca Many Grey Horses and Lene Jorgensen, and is a valuable resource for other communities and organizations seeking to address similar challenges. This framework was published into a book in 2023 by Eaglespeaker Publishing.

Itisnohtispiyaki (Dances with Many Medicine Bundles) Rebecca Many Grey Horses is from the Kainai Nation. Being raised with the traditional Blackfoot ways and traditions, Rebecca continues to practice and live her Blackfoot ways.  Her western educational accomplishments include a BA, and a Masters in Jurispurdence in Indigenous Law.  

Lene Jorgensen was the Director of System & Service Planning for the AHS South Zone when this book was written.  She has been involved with various initiatives pertaining to Indigenous Health including: AHS South Zone Indigenous Health Action Plan, the AHS Indigenous Health Strategy (Roadmap to Wellness), the Alberta Health Diabetes Working Group Indigenous Recommendations, and the BTDH Bringing our Spirits Home Addiction Framework. Lene is originally from Denmark where my family still resides. I am married, have two grown children and a dog, and live in Calgary. I love connecting with nature, whether it is in the forms of biking, hiking, skiing, or canoeing.

Questions for the authors:

What inspired you to write this book?

Lene: The book came from the work that Rebecca and I did in 2018 on the BTDH addiction framework. In our roles with with AHS and BTDH, we were initially tasked with developing an opioid response plan, however this quickly expanded to become a broader addiction framework. Because of the extensive and rich feedback, we gathered from our stakeholder engagement, and how this informed the creation of the framework, it was apparent that many people, communities and organizations could benefit from learning about what we did, how we did it, and the recommendations that were made.

Rebecca: The information gathered with the BTDH addictions framework continued to assist the community and it had to be shared to a wider audience. Writing the book was the icing on the cake as it will deliver a template to organizations and communities in assisting with drug crisis not only in First Nations Communities but any community.

How long did it take you to write the book from concept to publication?

Rebecca and Lene:

-Phase 1: May – November 2018 was the creation of the framework and the recommendations for the BTDH Board of Directors.

-Phase 2: December 2021 editing of the original documents started to ensure the information would resonate with a broader audience, beyond the community health department.

-Phase 3: 2022 was the quest to find an editor and publisher, and funding to solicit their services, since we have never written or published before.

-Phase 4: October – December 2022 the publisher was engaged, and funding was secured.

-Phase 5: January – August 2023 rounds of edits with publisher and approval by BTDH Board.

-Phase 6: September 2023 the book was published on Amazon and Eaglespeaker Publishing websites.

What message or main idea do you want readers to take away from your book?

Rebecca: The main idea is using the book as a resource to learn how the Blood Tribe is addressing the opioid crisis, and how this community driven approach is providing services for addiction services.

Lene: There is great wisdom in Indigenous communities and most of the solutions to each community’s unique challenges already exist in the community. The magic emerges when this wisdom is gathered and consolidated into a common voice for the community.

How has writing this book influenced your perspective on the topics you address?

Lene: Addressing addiction can be overwhelming, especially when it infiltrates all aspects of peoples lives and communities, such as the Blood Tribe. It is important to understand the past, while bringing awareness to the current situation. This provides valuable information to help shape the solutions for the future. Building on the wisdom contained in the community and elevating this to frame solutions ensures that people see themselves reflected in the community plan.

Rebecca: The writing of the book has broadened my perspective on the opioid crisis; so many times, writing the framework we broke down in tears, but we continued knowing it was for the community.  Understanding that it must be healing, and Blackfoot culturally centered also brought us to elders, knowledge keepers and attending an Okan to ask for guidance strengthen the framework and the drive to complete it. 

Who is the target audience for your book, and how do you hope it impacts them?

Lene: I think many Indigenous, and non-Indigenous, communities who are impacted by addiction can benefit from this book and help them embark upon their unique journey to address the challenges in a similar way. I also think that post-secondary institutions, governments, and health care organizations can use this as a guide.

What you need to know about shigellosis

Shigellosis is a disease of the intestines caused by bacteria called Shigella. Cases are rising in Alberta and those who are unhoused or unsheltered are being disproportionately affected.

Causes

Shigellosis is spread when the bacteria in feces (stool) or on soiled fingers are ingested. The illness is highly infectious and can also be spread from person to person.

Transmission typically occurs by eating contaminated foods, which become infected when:

• handled with poor hygiene
• washed with water contaminated with feces

Other risk factors for contracting Shigellosis:

• drinking contaminated liquids, such as water from rivers, lakes, and other coastal waters
• sexual oral-anal contact; outbreaks have occurred among men who have sex with men

Symptoms

Shigellosis usually lasts 5 to 7 days. Some people who are infected may have no symptoms at all but may still spread shigellosis to others.

• diarrhea (often bloody)
• nausea and vomiting
• fever
• stomach cramps starting 1 or 2 days after you are exposed to the bacteria.

Prevention

• Washing your hands frequently and carefully with soap
• Avoid swallowing water while swimming.
• Take care if changing diapers

Treatment

If you are experiencing symptoms of shigellosis, please seek medical attention right away. Antibiotics and proper hydration can help treat shigellosis. Contact BTDH Community Health if you have questions at 403-737-3933.

Back-to-School: The Importance of Immunization Consents

As the new school year approaches, it’s essential to ensure that our children are not only prepared with the right supplies and mindset but also protected against preventable diseases. Immunizations play a critical role in safeguarding the health of our children and the broader community.

The BTDH Community Health Immunization Consent forms allow our community health nurses to administer vaccines that protect against serious illnesses. With your consent, a public health nurse will give your child the recommended vaccines at school. Vaccines in this program may include:

• Grade 9: Tdap and MenC-ACYW vaccine.”
• Grades 1, 6, and 9: Any routine childhood and school vaccines that your child may have missed according to their immunization record on file. This could include vaccines such as Tdap-IPV, MMR, MMR-Var, and PneumoC-20.
• Grade 6: Hepatitis B vaccine for children who have not already completed a hepatitis B series and HPV-9 vaccine.

Influenza vaccines are available to all community members six months and older. Please call 403-737-3933 for more information on availability.

Your child will not get any vaccines at school unless you have signed and returned the consent form included in the information package. Without these vaccinations, children are at risk of contracting and spreading diseases that can have severe consequences.

By signing the consent forms, you are not only protecting your child but also contributing to the overall health of the community. Vaccinations help create herd immunity, which is especially important for those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons. When the majority of our community is immunized, it reduces the spread of disease, protecting everyone, especially the most vulnerable.

We understand that the start of the school year is a busy time, but signing the consent forms for your child’s immunizations is a simple step that has long-lasting benefits. Our team has now made it easier for parents to provide consent: simply call 403-737-3933 to provide verbal consent.

By taking a few moments to complete this process, you ensure that your child can receive their vaccinations at school without any delays or complications. Immunizations are a key part of your child’s health care. Be sure to review the immunization schedule and consult our community health team if you have any questions or concerns.