Siksika Health Services hosts 23rd annual Health Fair

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Siksika Health Services hosted its 23rd annual Health Fair, May 14, at the Deerfoot Sportsplex, returning after a year hiatus to celebrate community, wellness, health and connection. 

The event featured a trade-show style exhibition with program and services booths, as well as interactive health stations, live performances, food, and prizes, which followed the Grand Entrance and opening ceremonies. 

“It is an opportunity to connect with community, first and foremost … and then bringing everyone together with their services whether it is internal to our organization or our partners that we work with,” said Angie Sarsons, CEO of Siksika Health Services. “The community gets that opportunity to tour the booths (and) make those connections in person because it is all about relationships and a face. Once you know a face, then you tend to be able to reach out more comfortably.”

Sarsons added the team behind the event began working on putting it all together approximately five months ago. The overarching thought process was deciding which areas in health to showcase.

Events such as the health fair also serve as an avenue to hear what the needs of the local community are, what trends are emerging, and what people struggle with on a daily basis. 

“Some of the things that people here struggle with is examples like dialysis. We have members who have to go to Calgary for that, and some are three days a week. It is a full-time job just to go to dialysis,” said Sarsons. “When you look at the determinants of health, like how do we support that, because that impacts employment, that impacts housing, that impacts transportation, and their whole mental health as well.”

She also emphasized that events such as the health fair are for everyone, not just Nation members, and present excellent opportunities to experience Siksika Nation and the local culture. 

Last year, the health fair did not take place due to internal restructuring amidst Siksika Health Services. Now that Sarsons and her team are largely settled into regular operations, the event is intended to continue annually as normal. 

“We want to be able to build, and the influence goes both ways. I look at mainstream – we have a lot of technology and items that we all appreciate, but when it comes to the people, the highest value is relationships,” said Sarsons. “It’s family, and you see that here more than anything, right from the little grandchildren to the grandparents. Family is important, but they will open that space for visitors to come and experience it.”

Sarsons said the invitation stands open to outside sources who may wish to come and work with Siksika Health Services, become allies, and gain new perspectives. 

Ultimately, the goal persists to create supports for physical and mental health, and for persistent generational traumas.