Innovative collaboration to support Indigenous and rural health care

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By Montana First Nation

In July 2021, the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) took a heartfelt step forward by establishing its Indigenous Health Advisory Circle, a meaningful initiative created to listen deeply to those with lived Indigenous experiences. This Circle plays an important role in helping CPSA and Alberta physicians understand how to better serve Indigenous patients through care that is thoughtful, culturally respectful, and rooted in trust. As part of this commitment, CPSA helped support the opening of clinics in several communities across the province, ensuring that more Indigenous families have access to care close to home.

We are honored to walk alongside CPSA on this journey. Our hearts are fully invested in supporting initiatives that uplift and care for Indigenous communities. Through our work, we aim to create safe, welcoming spaces where all individuals are treated with kindness, dignity, and understanding, without bias and without barriers.

In 2022, Montana First Nation joined hands with CPSA and the Alberta International Medical Graduates Association (AIMGA) to develop and share an Indigenous Awareness Model. This model was presented to international medical graduates to help foster cultural awareness and strengthen their connection to the communities they serve. It is a meaningful step toward building relationships based on respect, humility, and shared learning.

Driven by our deep commitment to the well-being of our people, Montana First Nation established Akamihk Health Care Services, a community-centered clinic dedicated to delivering family healthcare services to both Montana First Nation and neighboring communities. This clinic was born out of the understanding that true healing begins when care is accessible, consistent, and grounded in community values.

We were pleased to welcome Dr. Scott McLeod, Registrar & CEO of CPSA, and his team to our Nation in 2024. Their visit was more than a gesture; it was a reminder that we are not alone in this work. Their encouragement and continued support have made a real difference in helping us grow and dream bigger.

That dream expanded into a second clinic, which opened in the Town of Eckville, where many families have struggled to find a family doctor. Together, we helped bring care where it was most needed, and this achievement has touched many lives.

The health and well-being of Indigenous communities are deeply important to us. With the kindness and commitment shown by CPSA, Dr. Lichtenstein, Deidre Lake, and the AIMGA team, we have been able to take meaningful steps forward. Their support has been more than professional; it has felt deeply personal, and we are sincerely thankful for the open hearts and steady partnership.

We believe in a future where every community, no matter how small or remote, has access to health care that is welcoming, respectful, and built on trust. Together, with compassion and collaboration, we are building that future, one clinic, one conversation, and one relationship at a time.