Author Archives: BTDH Communications
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BTDH Newsletter: Summer 2026
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Kainai Powwow & Celebration
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The Annual Kainai Powwow & Celebration is our premier social gathering as a Nation. This weekend will be filled with connection through dance, singing, sporting events and community gatherings. We gathered important information for Blood Tribe Members to stay safe and healthy during the festivities.
Zone Mapping
Blood Tribe Emergency Services has implemented a zone mapping system for this year’s event. This system will make it easier for participants, vendors, and emergency personnel to pinpoint exact locations, enhancing safety, efficiency, and overall experience of the celebration.
The zone-based map system will help reduce delays and confusion for our first responders and security. The powwow grounds are divided into four main zones, each marked with a different colour. Each zone is also split into smaller numbered sections called quadrants. Colour-coded flags will be placed on the arbour and light poles, and laminated signs showing the zone and quadrant will be posted throughout the grounds and along access routes.
Blood Tribe Emergency Services Location
Blood Tribe Emergency Services and Security can be found at the First Aid Trailer located around the arbor in ZONE: RED 1.
EMS & Fire Apparatus will be parked in the public parking at the exit.For the duration of Kainai Powwow & Celebration the Firehall will be periodically unstaffed. All inquiries and non-emergency assistance can be directed to Fire and EMS staff at the Powwow grounds.
Additional Support Locations:
- Blood Tribe Police General Inquiry will be located in ZONE: YELLOW 3.
The rodeo grounds will be divided into clearly marked zones that cover the entire camping and livestock areas. Key spots like the grandstands, rodeo arena, chutes, and livestock pens will also be clearly labeled to make it easier to find your way around and improve coordination. Laminated signs showing each zone will be posted throughout the grounds so everyone can quickly identify locations and communicate more easily.
EMS will be located outside the rodeo arena, adjacent to the grandstands during all rodeo events.
Opioids include both prescription medications (such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine) and illegal drugs (like heroin and illicitly manufactured fentanyl). They can be highly addictive and have a high risk of overdose.
What to do in an overdose emergency
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- Call 911.
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- Roll them into the recovery position if they are passed out. This prevents more problems like choking on vomit or their tongue.
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- If the person is not breathing, perform mouth-to-mouth (rescue breathing). Make sure there is nothing in their mouth. Tilt their head back and give them a breath every five seconds.
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- Use the naloxone kit if you have one. For directions on how to administer naloxone, download the PDF.
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- Stay with them until help comes. If you can’t stay, write down on a piece of paper what drugs the person took, and leave it with them so they can get the right help.
Prevent an Opioid Poisoning
Don’t use alone: You can’t save yourself during an overdose, but we can save each other. Please don’t use drugs while alone, and don’t let those around you use while alone either.
Start low and go slow: Do a small test dose to see if you can handle the drug. Infrequent use can lower your tolerance and make you more sensitive to drugs
Don’t mix drugs: Mixing prescription or other street drugs, alcohol, cannabis can compound overdose symptoms
Carry a naloxone kit: Keep naloxone on hand if you or someone you know is at risk of an opioid overdose.
Please take notice:
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Avoid swimming or wading in the Belly River
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Report any sightings of discarded needles or concerning conditions
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For needle-stick injuries, contact the 24-hour response line immediately at 780-218-9929
The Blood Tribe Department of Health (BTDH) is urging all community members and visitors to exercise extreme caution when using the Belly River in the lower Standoff area due to ongoing public health and safety concerns.
With warm weather and the upcoming Kainai Powwow & Celebration, more people may be using the Belly River for recreation. However, current conditions pose a direct threat to both public health and environmental safety.
BTDH teams and outreach partners have identified the following serious risks:
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- An encampment located near the riverbank with insufficient sanitation, resulting in human waste near the water
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- The potential presence of discarded needles (sharps) in the surrounding area and water
Public health and outreach teams are working to:
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- Assess and address immediate public health hazards
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- Increase sharps collection and safe disposal efforts
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- Explore temporary sanitation solutions
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- Coordinate a long-term, community-led response to ensure safety
Important reminders
Check on others: Ensure family members, neighbours, and Elders are coping well during extreme heat conditions.
Never leave children or pets in vehicles: Temperatures inside a car can rise quickly and become life-threatening within minutes.
It is important to take extreme heat seriously and take steps to protect yourself and those around you. Stay informed by checking local weather alerts and follow any guidance from public health or emergency management services.
Severe Weather
The Summer weather forecast can be unpredictable, so it is important to be prepared for a severe weather event this weekend.
Thunderstorms have the potential to become severe bringing large hail, strong winds and heavy rain. Remember some severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes. Be prepared for severe weather.
If threatening weather approaches, take cover in a basement or interior room. If outside, protect yourself from flying debris and hail.
When thunder roars, go indoors!
Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Large hail can cause significant damage and injury.
Anyone engaging in unprotected sex outside a mutually monogamous relationship is at risk of syphilis infection and other STIs.
Testing is available at Community Health, Standoff and Lavern Clinics. For STBBI testing, please contact 403-737-3933. All services and supplies are confidential and free of charge.
Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections (STBBI)
The Blood Tribe Department of Health is here to support you. STBBIs like HIV, Hepatitis C, chlamydia, and gonorrhea can affect anyone—regardless of age or lifestyle. We’re offering free, judgment-free information and supplies to help keep our community safe and informed.
You can prevent getting an STI by:
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Talking with your partner about using protection and about each other’s history of STIs, before sexual activity.
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Learning how to use protection correctly. Getting tested regularly for STIs, even if you don’t have any symptoms.
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Getting immunized against hepatitis B and human papillomavirus (HPV).
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In Loving Memory of Okan Gordon Troy Manyfingers
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On behalf of the Blood Tribe Department of Health (BTDH), we mourn the loss of our beloved colleague, friend, and community pillar, Okan Gordon Troy Manyfingers.
Troy joined the BTDH Wellness Program in 2019 as a Client Case Coordinator. Over the years, his work became an integral part of our organization’s wellness initiatives. Troy was a central figure in the Men’s Support Group and the Day Treatment Program, providing a safe, encouraging space for individuals navigating their recovery.
Committed to saving lives and serving others, he completed his Indigenous Addictions Services Certificate with the Nechi Institute. He actively participated in organization-wide education, including Human Trafficking Awareness Training with the Calgary Police Services, and Overdose and Naloxone Education training.
Through the Wellness Program, Troy spearheaded and organized numerous fun runs for the reserve, bringing community members together in the spirit of health, connection, and joy.
Troy led by powerful personal example. An accomplished Ironman athlete, he believed that physical activity and movement were powerful forms of medicine, and he used his wellness journey to inspire countless others to take up running and begin their own journeys toward recovery.
Dr. Terri-Lynn Fox, former Director of the Wellness Program, shared these heartfelt words reflecting on Troy’s leadership:
“I remember Troy’s motivation, initiative, and dedication to the Fun Runs hosted by the Wellness Program. He believed that movement was healing. Community was healing. Encouraging one another was healing. He didn’t simply organize the runs—he participated alongside everyone who chose to join. Troy didn’t just believe those values; he lived them.
He carried his commitment to wellness through his athleticism, his humor, and his unwavering belief in people. Perhaps Troy’s greatest legacy was not the races he completed or the Fun Runs he organized, but the courage he awakened in others to begin their own journey toward healing.”
Troy’s contributions to the Blood Tribe Department of Health have left an everlasting mark on our team and the entire Blood Tribe community. We are grateful for every mile he ran with us, every story he shared, and every word of encouragement he gave.
Thank you, Troy.
Your race on this earth is complete, but your footsteps continue to guide us.
Please join us in keeping Troy’s loved ones in your prayers. He will be deeply missed by our entire organization.
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Community Notice: Updates to Medical Transportation and NIHB Services
Comments Off on Community Notice: Updates to Medical Transportation and NIHB ServicesPlease be advised of the following important changes to the Medical Transportation program and Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) services. We ask all community members to review this information carefully.
Off-Reserve Clients: New Process for Medical Transportation
Off-reserve clients are now required to deal directly with the Edmonton Referral Unit for all medical transportation needs. This includes:
- Booking transportation to medical appointments
- Requesting travel reimbursements
- All transportation-related inquiries
Please contact the Edmonton Referral Unit directly for any medical transportation requests or reimbursements going forward. The number to the Edmonton Referral Unit is 1-800-514-7106.
Reimbursement Forms Available Online and at BTDH Medical Transportation
Reimbursement forms can now be submitted online for faster processing. Here is what you need to know:
- Reimbursement forms are available online please visit the NIHB website
- Physical (paper) reimbursement forms remain available through the Medical Transportation office for those who need them.
Submit Receipts for Reimbursement Online
Express Scripts Canada delivers Health Information and Claims Processing Services on behalf of Indigenous Services Canada’s NIHB Program. Community members using Express Scripts are encouraged to begin submitting their receipts for reimbursement through the online portal.
A step-by-step instructional video on how to submit reimbursements online can be found by visiting Express Scripts Canada Website.
Questions or need assistance?
All other NIHB requests and information including dental care, vision care, medical supplies and equipment, mental health counselling can call 1-800-232-7301. Have your full name, date of birth, and 10-digit treaty number ready when calling for services.
Please contact our Medical Transportation office if you have questions or concerns please call 403-737-2604 or visit our website: www.btdh.ca.
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Blood Tribe Opens the First Indigenous Recovery Community in Alberta
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Dog Safety for Community members and staff
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Dogs are part of many families in our community, offering companionship and protection. However, even friendly dogs can become protective or nervous around unfamiliar visitors, leading to potential safety concerns for healthcare staff, clients, and community members.
For Clients With Dogs At Home:
If you have an appointment with a Home Care Nurse, Community Health Representative, or another BTDH service provider, please ensure your dog is secured in a separate room or fenced area before their arrival. Let staff know if you have a dog ahead of time, especially if your pet is anxious or protective, and if your dog must be present, ensure they are always on a leash and under control
For Community Members Accessing BTDH Facilities
If you notice a stray or aggressive dog near a BTDH location, inform staff so the appropriate action can be taken. Resist the urge to give treats and/or food to dogs, no matter how friendly the animal may seem.
Avoid approaching a dog that is sleeping, barking, snarling, eating, or caring for puppies. If the dog feels vulnerable, it may fight to protect its territory. Don’t run past a dog, as it will naturally want to chase and catch you.
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Blood Tribe Emergency Services Records Three-Month Streak of Zero Overdose Responses
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Standoff, AB — Blood Tribe Emergency Services (BTES) has reported a significant milestone: zero overdose-related emergency calls since December 2025. This three-month period marks the longest stretch of zero drug-related interventions in recent history, signalling a decline in opioid overdoses and toxicity deaths on the Blood Tribe.
While the number of overdose related responses has dropped, BTES crews remain busy responding to emergency calls including grass fires, motor vehicle collisions, and medical assists.
In the 2024-2025 fiscal year, BTES completed over 3400 patient care reports and reported 44 overdose related calls.
This historic news offers a rare moment of reprieve for first responders. Blood Tribe Emergency Services reminds community members to never use substances alone. In the event of an accidental overdose, having someone present can be the difference between life or death. Blood Tribe Members can pick up Naloxone Kits at the following Blood Tribe programs and facilities:
- Blood Tribe Department of Health: 403-737-3888
- Levern Clinic: 403-737-8610
- BTDH Emergency Services (Fire Hall): 403-737-2102
- Blood Tribe Pharmacy: 403-737-3810
About the Blood Tribe Department of Health
The Blood Tribe Department of Health (BTDH) offers culturally competent, holistic, and accessible health and wellness services. Established in 1984, BTDH provides a range of services and is committed to uplifting the health and well-being of its people through comprehensive and tailored health initiatives.
Blood Tribe Emergency Services is dedicated to protecting life, property and the environment by providing emergency response and community education. Prevent, Protect, Preserve, and Respect.
For information contact:
Kelsey No Runner
Director of Communications
403-361-1704 | communications@btdh.ca
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Statement Regarding Closure of the Lethbridge Drug Consumption Services Site
Comments Off on Statement Regarding Closure of the Lethbridge Drug Consumption Services SiteStandoff, AB —The Blood Tribe Department of Health (BTDH) issued the following statement today regarding the Government of Alberta’s announcement of the closure of the Lethbridge Drug Consumption Services (DCS) site:
“We support the reinvestment toward recovery and outreach services at the Lethbridge Wellness Shelter and Stabilization Unit. The transition away from the DCS sites will allow for the provision of a broader range of services to reduce harm and improve direct access to treatment for the people we serve. This announcement and action from the province are a vital step in improving health outcomes in our community.”
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About the Blood Tribe Department of Health
The Blood Tribe Department of Health (BTDH) offers culturally competent, holistic, and accessible health and wellness services. Established in 1984, BTDH provides a range of services and is committed to uplifting the health and well-being of its people through comprehensive and tailored health initiatives.
BTDH assumed operations of the Lethbridge Wellness Shelter and Stabilization Unit in 2023 and provides emergency shelter and stabilization services through recovery-focused interventions, providing pathways for our most vulnerable members.
For information contact:
Kelsey No Runner
Director of Communications
403-361-1704 | communications@btdh.ca
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Community Based Water Monitors Awarded First In Water Sample Collection by ISC
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Congratulations to our Blood Tribe Department of Health Environmental Public Health Team who have been awarded first prize for Water Sample Collection by Indigenous Services Canada!
Last year, the Community Based Water Monitor Program in collaboration with the ISC Environmental Public Health services team completed over 2700 water sampling tests at water treatment plants and other water systems within the Blood Tribe.
The team consists of William Little Bera, Molly Davis, Patty Eagle Child, Joanne Wells and Charlene Raju. Their hard work and commitment to achieving full sampling compliance have been recognized for the Blood Tribe’s excellence in environmental public health.
This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and technical precision.
