Siksika Nation Elders, Council, and Siksika Health Services Team see Firsthand the New Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre
As you drive toward the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, the striking new structure at the corner of 29 Street NW and 16th Avenue NW signals a hopeful future for cancer care in Alberta: the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre is set to open its doors in late October 2024. This state-of-the-art facility, years in the making, aims to transform the cancer care experience for patients across the province.
Initially tendered in 2014, the project brought together Dialog Architecture and PLC Construction to design and build the new centre. Construction began in 2017, and now, after years of collaboration, the centre is nearly ready to welcome its first patients.
On behalf of Siksika Nation, Siksika Health Services has taken the lead, under the direction of CEO, Dr. Tyler White, to work collaboratively alongside Cancer Care Alberta to improve Siksika Nation member experiences of cancer care in Alberta. Siksika Nation Elders, Council, and the Sikska Health Services team recently had opportunity to tour the new centre and get a glimpse “behind the scenes” to understand what Nation members may experience, before the centre opens for services. Elders from the Siksika community, along with Elders from other Alberta First Nations, were invited to participate in planting traditional medicine plants in one of the facility gardens.
Key figures from the Cancer Care Alberta team, including Warren Michael, Indigenous Coordinator, Krista Marsden, Community Liaison & Patient Education Specialist, Amy Melnick, Senior Consultant of Engagement, Dr. Don Morris, Associate Senior Medical Director, and Caroline Hatcher, Executive Director of the centre have been instrumental in this collaborative effort. Together with Siksika leaders, they have focused on creating an inclusive space that honours Indigenous culture and promotes healing.
The cancer centre is designed with patient and family experiences in mind. Visitors will notice the centre’s open spaces filled with natural light, offering stunning 360-degree views of the city and the Rocky Mountains. Outdoor gardens provide a calming environment for patients and their families, while a prominent land acknowledgement at the entrance serves as an act of reconciliation and a commitment to inclusivity. As Siksika Nation Councillor, Strater Crowfoot notes, “Impressive, well thought out, and with amazing views. We are lucky to have this so close to us.”
On the main floor, a sacred space is available for all, offering the opportunity for smudging and drumming. The Indigenous Family Room, also located on the main floor, features Blackfoot artwork, a family garden, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere where visitors can gather for tea, share stories, and find comfort in community. The Siksika Health Services team praised the effort that Cancer Care Alberta has put into creating a family-centered environment, noting that “They went to great lengths to meet the needs of family; such great expertise surrounds us.”
The new centre’s patient rooms are located on floors 9 through 12, while radiation and chemotherapy services are housed on the lower level. The facility also works in close collaboration with the Alberta Children’s Hospital to provide specialized care for pediatric cancer patients, ensuring children from birth to 18 years old receive comprehensive, compassionate care.
As the centre prepares to open, staff and volunteers are undergoing extensive training, and final operational checks are being completed. A brochure and map are also being finalized to help visitors navigate the facility when it officially opens.
Siksika Health Services continues to provide guidance on Blackfoot culture and the importance of reconciliation, to help ensure that Indigenous patients feel welcome and respected at the new cancer centre. The Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre stands as a symbol of progress, healing, and cultural understanding—a place where all patients can feel cared for, both physically and spiritually. “Your team (Cancer Cere Alberta) has done an outstanding job. The new cancer centre is a game changer. We look forward to continuing to work together,” affirms Dr. Tyler White, CEO, Siksika Health Services.
