Our Siksika Healthbox: Part of Our Commitment to Community Health and Wellness

The 'Our Siksika Healthbox' is more than just a machine—it’s a symbol of care, connection, and community-driven health.

At its core, the Healthbox provides health promotion through the provision of health-related information, along with life saving, sexual health, and other essential wellness supplies, all within a vending machine-style piece of technology.

The resources provided are free, anonymous, and available to anyone over the age of 16 in the community who may need them. It also connects users with a local service directory, guiding individuals toward more comprehensive care, tailored to their specific needs.

“Our Siksika Healthbox” is located inside the main foyer of the Siksika Health and Wellness Centre. As part of Siksika Health Services’ ongoing commitment to improving health and well-being for our Nation members. We are proud to be home to the first Healthbox in Alberta.

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Siksika Health Services has championed the Healthbox with this primary purpose in mind: to support those in our community who may have difficulty accessing essential life-saving materials, food, or personal items.

By providing these resources anonymously and free of charge, we hope to reduce barriers and ensure that everyone has access to vital supplies that promote health, wherever a person might be on their wellness journey.

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Siksika’s Healthbox is a powerful example of how innovation and community care can come together to support the health of our Nation. By making essential wellness supplies easily accessible and free, we are empowering our members to take control of their health, while reinforcing the importance of connection and compassion. This initiative is just the beginning of a broader effort to ensure that everyone in our community can access the resources they need, with dignity and respect.

Owen Crane Bear, Board Chair, Siksika Health Services

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In addition to dispensing needed health supplies, “Our Siksika Healthbox” is part of the Our Healthbox research program. This research will help us better understand the unique needs of our community, and contribute to broader understanding across Canada. Over time, as we gather data, we will be more equipped to support our community and Nation.

Even though the Healthbox is still in its early stages, we’ve seen positive results. Through word of mouth and our soft launch on August 27, 2024, clients have already started accessing the supplies it offers, and their feedback has been promising.
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The ‘Our Siksika Healthbox’ represents more than just a convenient access point for essential health supplies—it is a testament to our unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of our community. By providing free, anonymous access to life-saving materials and connecting individuals to further care, we are breaking down barriers and ensuring that everyone, especially our most vulnerable, has what they need to thrive. This initiative reflects our belief that health is a collective responsibility, and together, we are paving the way for a healthier future for all.

Dr. Tyler White, CEO Siksika Health Services

Here's what we have heard so far:

• Client Engagement: Many clients have already used the Healthbox and they are finding it easy to use, and it’s particularly helpful that supplies can be accessed after hours.
• Clinic Integration: When clients and patients come into the clinic for supplies, we also introduce them to the Healthbox and encourage them to maintain existing relationships with our Community Health team. This has been favourable to many within our community.

Our Siksika Healthbox is not just a source of supplies, it’s a lifeline for many in our community. As a Nurse Practitioner and the Team Leader behind this initiative, I see firsthand how difficult it can be for some people on Siksika Nation to access the resources they need to stay healthy and safe. This initiative makes that easier by offering free, anonymous access to essential items. More than that, it gives us a new way to engage with our clients, ensuring they feel supported by the comprehensive offerings of our clinic. This is about building trust and making health accessible for all.
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Charlene Brough, Nursing Advisor & Community Health Team Leader, Siksika Health Services

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The Healthbox isn’t just a tool for better health—it’s a resource that belongs to all of us within the Siksika Nation community, with a clear purpose: to support those in our community who may face challenges in accessing essential life-saving materials, food, or personal items.

By offering these resources anonymously and free of charge, we aim to break down barriers and ensure that everyone has access to the vital supplies needed for their health, no matter where they are on their wellness journey.

By caring for the Healthbox and using it when needed, we can ensure it remains a valuable lifeline for those who need it most.

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About Siksika Health Services

Siksika Nation is a member of the Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy) which also includes the Kainai, Piikani, and Amskapi Piikani Nations. The traditional Blackfoot territory is vast, extending east to the North Saskatchewan River and south to the Yellowstone National Park. Siksika Nation’s primary local healthcare system, Siksika Health Services, is guided by the traditional Blackfoot value of healing each other together, and provides a wide range of quality health and wellbeing services to all Nation members and surrounding communities.