Alberta’s government remains committed to removing barriers faced by Indigenous Peoples when accessing health services, and to ensuring they receive high-quality, timely and culturally appropriate care.
Unfair treatment due to incidents of racism during the delivery of health care and lack of cultural safety can have immeasurable impact on the health outcomes of First Nation, Métis and Inuit patients who have unique and diverse health needs. To address this, Alberta’s government, in partnership with the Office of the Alberta Health Advocates, has hired Tony Cardinal as the province’s first Indigenous Patient Safety Investigator and Advocate.
“There is no place for discrimination in Alberta’s health care system. Indigenous patients deserve an advocate who has their best interests at heart and can provide safety and guidance to ensure Alberta’s health care system is fair and accountable for all Albertans.”
"The appointment of an Indigenous Patient Safety Investigator and Advocate is a significant step towards ensuring Indigenous patients have the support they need to advocate for themselves. It is crucial that their unique needs are met in a culturally appropriate manner, and having a dedicated advocate will help achieve this goal. Addressing racism in health care is essential, and this appointment will play a vital role in combating these challenges and promoting equity for Indigenous patients."
A member of Goodfish Lake Cree Nation, Mr. Cardinal has more than 30 years of experience supporting the care and well-being of Indigenous Peoples. He will work out of the Office of Alberta’s Health Advocates, and will lead investigations, make recommendations to improve experiences, and help First Nations, Métis and Inuit patients address concerns by providing culturally safe support, navigation, education and information throughout the patient complaint process.
Through education and public awareness, this role will advance the understanding and implementation of the Alberta Health Charter and improve the delivery of culturally safe and appropriate health services. The Indigenous Patient Safety Investigator and Advocate will have a direct impact on the lives of Indigenous patients and their families by respectfully and compassionately listening to and advocating for their rights to ensure fair treatment within the health care system.
“Tansi – As an Indigenous man from Goodfish Lake Cree Nation, I deeply understand the challenges of sharing my story without prejudice. My hope is to create a safe and inclusive space for open dialogue, free from bias and discrimination, where each Indigenous voice is valued and truly heard. Building genuine connections is the essential foundation to achieve our shared goals and bring about meaningful change in the health system.”
“It can be difficult and retraumatising for Indigenous patients to raise issues of discrimination. Within our patient-centered approach, the Indigenous advocate will make it easier for patients to share concerns, resulting in a better experience, a timelier response and improved outcomes for patients.”
Mr. Cardinal will be responsible for eensuring any Indigenous health-related complaints of racism or experiences of mistreatment are addressed through the appropriate channels, and Indigenous patients and their families receive supports in a culturally safe and appropriate way.
Establishing an Indigenous Patient Safety Investigator and Advocate was a recommendation put forward by the Modernizing Primary Health Care (MAPS) Indigenous Advisory Panel. The recommendations of the panel resulted in an implementation plan called The Way Forward, which outlines short- and long-term actions to help deliver access to culturally safe care and improve health outcomes for Indigenous Peoples.
“Establishment of an Indigenous advocate is a milestone in the ongoing work of the Indigenous MAPS Implementation Panel to address racism. The advocate will support our collaborative efforts with Alberta Health to build a health care system that delivers culturally safe, quality care and improves the life-expectancy of First Nations, Métis and Inuit in Alberta.”
“We hear often that Indigenous Peoples do not wish to access health care as they experience stereotypes and discrimination. This leads to them not receiving the treatment and care they need. Now those patients can feel confident that their experiences are being heard and addressed.”
Since 2014, the Office of the Alberta Health Advocates has helped people in Alberta who have concerns about their health services and empowered them to be effective advocates in their own health journey. The office represents the voices of patients and advocates in the ongoing development of the province’s health care system, and the roles and responsibilities of patients and providers under Alberta’s Health Charter, which includes a commitment to ensure all patients are treated with dignity and respect.
The Office of the Alberta Health Advocates is available to assist all Albertans at no cost. The advocates can be reached by calling 780-422-1812, or by submitting a concern online.
Quick facts
- Alberta is home to about 284,500 Indigenous people, representing 6.8 per cent of Alberta’s population.
Related information
- Office of the Alberta Health Advocates
- Alberta Health Charter
- Modernizing Alberta’s Primary Health Care System (MAPS)
- Indigenous health
- Indigenous Primary Health Care Advisory Panel final report
- The Way Forward
Related news
- Improving access to primary care for Indigenous patients (June 21, 2024)