BTC Health Agency Marks Milestone

BTC Health Agency Marks Milestone

Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 14:42

 

 

Battlefords Tribal Council Indian Health Services celebrated its 30th anniversary during a ceremony in North Battleford on Monday.

 

Guests and dignitaries packed the Gold Ridge Centre, including FSIN Vice Chief Glen Pratt.

 

Many former employees came back for the occasion, and several long-serving workers received gifts.

 

BTC Indian Health Services was started in 1979 after the old Indian Hospital was shut down.

 

After a consultant talked to government officials and to elders, it was decided that the best way to deliver health to Aboriginal people was to have it provided by Aboriginal people.

 

Lucky Man Chief Pauline Okemow chairs the BTC Indian Health Services board of directors.

 

Okemow says the organization has come a long way, and is now a model for other First Nations health agencies.

 

She hopes it will eventually run its own hospital for Aboriginal people.