Health Information ● Sokkiniakia’pi

A Healthy Relationship Means

• Communication & two points of view
• Trust & being open with each other
• Friendship & offering support to each other
• Respect and acceptance
• Honesty

Signs of Healthy Relationships

• Your family likes them
• They listen to you
• They respect differences in opinion
• They give back to you
• They support your interests

Am I in a Healthy Relationship?

• Do they always consider your feelings?
• Do they support your decisions?
• Do you respect them?

Stress happens when a person faces a challenging situation and they think they may not be able to overcome it. Everyone’s response to stress is different. Stress is a normal reaction and a part of life.

You can do things either physically or mentally to cope with stress. If your coping strategy is healthy, it will be good for your body. If your coping strategy is effective, you will feel more relaxed, calmer or soothed afterward.

Tips to handle stress: move around, laugh out loud, have fun with friends, take time to chill, take time to rest, keep a journal, lend a hand to someone else.

Our bodies are always talking to us, telling us when something is happening around us. It gives us clues that something is good for us or not good for us. We can learn to read these clues. Some of them may include: when we feel hungry, sad, thirsty, scared, having headache or stomach ache. What are some other ways our bodies try to talk to us?

Our bodies are giving us clues as to what they need in order to be healthy. It is important to listen to our bodies so they can guide us to make healthy choices. In order for us to be well, we need to be healthy.

Many things can go wrong if we don’t take care of our bodies. What are some things we can do on a daily basis to take care of our bodies?

Remember things like: getting enough rest, eating and drinking enough water, bathing, brushing our teeth and getting some exercise are all important to do each day. We can also remember to give thanks and express gratitude each day for something, this keeps our hearts and minds in a good place.

It is important to know who we are as a person and as a Nation. Our source of information are the stories that are shared with us through our Elders; they are the teachers in our communities; and share information they received as they were growing up.

According to our history (oral stories) we have always been here in this location. As a Kainaikoan many stories are told and they all have the same foundation, they refer to Na’pii; he created a lot of items of interest and are still available and visible today.

As an example of Na’pii, a story about a rock chased him and it is believed to have happened many, many years ago. That rock is still available and where it is located is near Okotoks, Alberta. The word Okotoks is an anglicized version of rock, we call it Ooh’ko tok.

Another area that affirms our presence is the town of Ponoka; that again is an anglicized version of Elk, Poo’noka, meaning elk. The tribe travelled up and down the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains and Ponoka was known for having elk in the area.

Another example of his creations is the story of the birch tree; there is a story about this; he marked the birch tree and if you go into the wooded area you’ll probably find one.

According to our Creation Stories we as Kainaiwa have the following 7 sacred principles, teachings and beliefs, that we are to uphold:

Provided by:
Keith Chiefmoon M. Ed (Admin.)
Indian Residential School – Community Engagement Worker
Wellness Program, BTDH, Inc.

Resilience is the ability to bounce back in difficult situations. You have to nurture and develop it. You can foster resilience by believing in yourself and your abilities to overcome difficult circumstances. Doing your best to cope, in a healthy way, with difficult things. Being able to adapt well in difficult circumstances-being able to “bounce back” from adversity is what being resilient is all about.

Resilience is more than just a state of mind: healthy, balanced eating habits and regular exercise are necessary for you to be resilient.

What can you do?

• Maintain strong connections with others
• Accept that change is a part of life
• Set goals for yourself
• Develop tools for managing stress
• Nurture positive self-image
• Listen to what your body needs
• Keep things in perspective
• Challenge yourself

Warning Signs and Symptoms

Actions: Personality or behavior change, withdrawing or isolating, substance use and abuse, moodiness, behaving in ways that are unusual, giving away possessions

Talks About: Death/suicide, big problems, not caring, no purpose, being alone, escaping, being better off dead

Feelings Of: Sadness/depression, hopeless/helpless, guilt/shame, numb

Life Situations: Relationship problems, abuse/violence, major life changes, painful events, death or loss

When to call 911 or the emergency team?

1. When someone is in immediate danger, such as attempting suicide, planning with a clear date, time and means to carry out a suicide ideation.
2. Someone has expressed a suicide ideation but would not comply to keep oneself safe or keep oneself from carrying out one’s suicide ideation.
3. Someone is Over Dosing

Local Resources

Wellness Program
403-737-3883

Blood Tribe Police
403-737-3800

Blood Tribe EMS
403-737-2102 or 911

Child & Youth HELPLINE
1-800-668-6868

Alberta Health Services
Mental Health Help Line 1-877-303-2642

It is important to remember that grief is a normal reaction to a loss. We all experience grief at some point in our lives. While we might expect feelings of shock, numbness, sadness, anger, and anxiety, some signs may be less clear for those experiencing other types of loss that trigger grief.

Grief can be the result of:

• A relationship or marriage ending
• Illness of a loved one or decrease in one’s own health
• Job loss or retirement
• Loss of safety after a traumatic event
• Miscarriage
• Death of a loved one
• Death of a pet
• Loss of language, land, culture, traditional foods, way of life

Some signs that you may be experiencing grief:

• Trouble focusing on normal tasks
• Sleeping much more or less than usual
• Feelings of anger and irritability
• Headaches and upset stomach
• Fatigue or low energy
• Re-experiencing feelings of past grief
• Feelings of isolation, depression, anxiety
• Engaging in activities such as eating, drinking or online shopping to cope with anxiety

There is no clear timeline for grief, no perfect formula or exact model for how to cope or behave. Giving ourselves permission to feel the loss is therapeutic.

Tips for dealing with Grief and Loss:

• Recognize that your feelings are normal
• Practice self-compassion
• Look after our physical needs
• Make space in your day for grief
• Make space in your day for comfort
• Create messages for your loved one
• Create a new ceremony or ritual or remembrance
• Create a memorial
• Use your supports

Blood Tribe Department of Health Wellness Program
403-737-3883

Indigenous Hope for Wellness Helpline
1-855-242-3310

Alberta Health Services: Mental Health Helpline
1-877-303-2642

Kids Help Phone/Text
1-800-668-6868
Text CONNECT to 6868