Blood Tribe Department of Health Inc.
The Blood Tribe/Kainai is located in southern Alberta on the Blood Indian Reserve. It boasts 544 square miles for its base, with agriculture as the primary industry as well as gemstone mining, house construction, oil and gas development and small business and tourism. The tribe has a population of approximately 9,782 members including both on reserve and off reserve.
Vision
In 1998, the Blood Tribe Department of Health Inc. completed a strategic road map which allowed the organization to develop the following long-term vision:
Based on the principles of Kainayssini, by the year 2025, we commit that The Blood Tribe will be the healthiest community in the world.
Mission
The Blood Tribe Department of Health is constituted by the Canadian Business Corporations Act for the following purposes:
• To improve the quality of health on the Blood Indian Reserve
• To promote the health education for the members of the Blood Tribe
• To initiate, develop, establish and maintain policies, procedures, projects, programs and any initiatives relating directly or indirectly to the betterment of health and health care services for the members of the Blood Tribe;
• To assist and support Chief and Council to protect the Treaty and Health Rights for the Blood Tribe members.
Since 1984, the Blood Tribe has authorized the Blood Tribe Department of Health Inc. (BTDH) to regulate and administer medical and health services on the Blood Indian Reserve. The BTDH delivers health services within the context of a comprehensive strategic plan known as a Community Health Plan. The BTDH operates pursuant to authorization by the Blood Tribe and in accordance with the principles of Kainayssini including a health by-law passed by Chief and Council.
In 1997, the BTDH entered into a Financial Transfer Agreement with First Nations and Inuit Health Branch. BTDH as an organization has demonstrated that it has the capacity to deliver health programs and services.
The Blood Tribe Department of Health Inc. was granted Accreditation with Reports status by Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation for 2002-2005 and 2005-2008. Specifically, the recommendations provided a catalyst for change and gave direction to improvement efforts. It also challenged the organization to continuously improve its care and services. The accreditation process allowed us to develop linkages and to ensure that organization, department, and Community Health Plans are functionally linked.
The Blood Tribe Department of Health is committed to the development of a Continuum of Care for the delivery of services to its community members. The Continuum of Care concept lends support to the common goal of all programs that is the provision of high quality integrated and coordinated services. This approach allows for the integration of Blood cultural traditions and compliments a holistic view of treatment.
