Courtesy: AHS
Alberta Health Services – Public Service Announcement
June 20, 2023
AHS now offering translation services in many Indigenous languages
EDMONTON – Alberta Health Services (AHS) is now offering interpretation services in 23 Indigenous languages, available to all patients receiving care from AHS health care teams.
Indigenous translation services are now available in the following languages:
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Algonquian
Blackfoot
Chipewyan
Cree – James Bay
Cree – Moose
Cree – Plains
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Cree – Swampy
Cree – Woodlands
Dakota
Dene
Dogrib
Ojibway
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Inuinnaqtun Inuktitut
Michif
Micmac
Mohawk
North Slavey
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Oji-Cree
Salish
Salteaux
Slavey
Slavey South
Tsilhqotin
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AHS is committed to providing culturally safe, accessible healthcare to all patients as an integral part of patient-centred care. We are also called upon in the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action to incorporate traditional healing practices for Indigenous patients and families into western medicine. Providing care in a person’s language allows clients to actively participate in the decision-making process, provide informed consent and ensure safe and effective communication between client, families and all members of the healthcare team. This is just one more way AHS is improving access to culturally safe care for Indigenous peoples.
Indigenous languages are now offered in addition to the more than 240 languages also offered for interpretation through Health Link 811 at all AHS sites. Interpreter availability may vary based on rarity of language, call volumes, and time of day. Translation of written patient-related records or educational materials is also available.
For more information, visit Indigenous Languages Interpretation & Translation Services | Alberta Health Services.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait-times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.
