2022-2023 Indigenous Injury Prevention Program Overview

How We Help

The Canadian Red Cross Indigenous Injury Prevention Program (IIPP) saw increased numbers in Alberta as the program was once again offered in person, following continued recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Communities were eager for in-person programming and wanted to ensure their youth were engaged during the summer months. In Alberta, the largest swimming and water safety program was at Fishing Lake Métis Settlement with six staff running water safety courses and team-building activities. 

“It was so wonderful to be welcomed back into communities,” says Lesley-Anne Morley, Senior Manager of Injury Prevention, Risk Reduction, Indigenous Programs. “And Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation also re-engaged with the program for the first time since 2014. In-person training can be a challenge due to Fort Chipewyan being a fly-in location, so it was wonderful to work with them again.”

Morley says one of the greatest things this year in Alberta was the training of a handful of young people (aged 16 to 20) as Water Watchers. “They are not certified lifeguards,” Morley explains. “But they are trained to educate swimmers on safe behaviours while at the beach and prevent drowning incidents by enforcing safety rules such as performing regular head counts, identifying risky behaviours that could lead to drowning and stopping that action.”  

Red Cross continues to offer virtual, online, and blended program options where possible, including babysitting and Stay Safe courses, to increase the number of community leaders in risk reduction.

Total Number of Participants in Alberta: 165
Total Number of Program Participants: 974 + 235 supported through a social emergency response