Pharmacist Christine Wiebach feels right at home serving the community of Standoff as licensee of the Blood Tribe Pharmacy.
“I grew up in rural Manitoba near a reserve, and my parents were very progressive—we would attend pow wows as a family,” said Christine. “Racism was common in the small town I grew up in, but I never heard my parents ever say a bad word.”
While in university, Christine dated a Métis man and had her daughter with him. Years later, her daughter dated a Blackfoot man and had a child with him. Sadly, Christine’s grandson passed away at 11 months of age due to a congenital heart condition. He was laid to rest in the St. Catherine Cemetery in Standoff.
“I’ve always had Indigenous people in my life, and I believe that helps make me more suited for this position than a lot of other people,” said Christine. “Also, because of my grandson, I feel a special connection here.”
Christine has practised at the Blood Tribe Pharmacy since 2017 and has been the licensee since 2024. The pharmacy is owned by Gina Tailfeathers, a member of Blackfeet Nation in Browning, Montana (known as Aamskapi Pukuni). Gina’s husband, pharmacist Timothy Tailfeathers of the Kainai-Blood Tribe, was the owner and licensee of the pharmacy for 20 years before retiring five years ago. Gina has been happy to carry on as the pharmacy’s owner and manager, with help from her sister, Tracy Creighton, who looks after the business operations of the pharmacy.
“It’s great,” said Gina. “We are very selective about our team. Christine was a good find for the licensee. We really like people who are passionate about pharmacy, are dedicated and care about our community, and have compassion as well. I think she really fits that. She’s an awesome team member. She knows her stuff, she’s really good with people, and she is always helpful and caring about all the patients and their concerns. She wants to make sure they’re getting all the knowledge they can about the meds that they get and are informed about their care.”
The respect between the owner/proprietor’s representative and licensee is mutual.
“I love working for not just an Indigenous-owned pharmacy, but also a female-owned pharmacy,” said Christine. “I really admire Gina a lot. I think she’s a savvy businesswoman.”
Christine and Gina’s abilities to provide pharmacy services to the community were put to the test a few years ago when the original Blood Tribe Pharmacy flooded, forcing the team to practise in a temporary space until a new, larger space was created by the Blood Tribe Department of Health. The pharmacy team is now in a much better position to serve the people of Standoff.
“We were so appreciative of all the opportunities the Blood Tribe Department of Health has given us,” said Gina. “It has more space for patients and staff functionality, because the old pharmacy was pretty tight—probably only a third of what we have now, so it’s really expanded a lot. It was needed. We have a lot going on because we’ve got the medical clinic across the hall. We also have a lab and X-ray, and we’ve got dental in the building. It’s very busy because it’s the only clinic and only pharmacy in the area.”
The new space serves the community and the team well—a team that includes experienced assistants who are all members of the local community.
“I think it helps having a local team, because the patients feel more comfortable and they interact better with people from our community,” said Gina. “There’s a barrier that’s been taken away. And we’ve known people for so many years that they trust us. They feel comfortable and confident and work with us. And it’s just a familiarity that somebody really has your back and wants the best for you.”
Serving the community doesn’t come without its challenges, however. Not the least of which are how remote it can feel for some folks who live on the southern-Alberta reserve.
“I guess it’s the isolation because it’s almost like we’re an island out there,” said Gina. “We’re out of the way and getting stuff sometimes can be a challenge. Transportation is a key thing for our patients.”
To better serve the largest First Nations reserve in Canada (over 1,400 square kilometres) and keep up with the increasing demand for pharmacy services, Gina has opened a second pharmacy—Chief Mountain Pharmacy—in Cardston, about 20 minutes south of Standoff. The licensee of the pharmacy is Dylan Karch.
“When I first connected with Dylan, I knew that he would make a great licensee,” said Gina. “As we have been working on getting Chief Mountain Pharmacy opened, we have been building a good relationship and are becoming a great team together along with my sister Dee Dee Tailfeathers-Blackwater. Dylan is reaching out to the community every chance he can get and is getting good responses in return. Most of the people in our community really enjoy supporting our community businesses. It’s important.”
Back up the road in Standoff, Christine feels rewarded in her role as a pharmacist, knowing that she has the trust of community members, and that the care she provides is appreciated.
“When patients come in with a problem and you give them advice that solves the problem, that builds trust,” she said. “When you share knowledge with them that improves their life, they trust you. I feel like I receive gratitude all day long. If you spend time with them and help with their health, they appreciate that. And because of that, you feel like you’re making a difference to the community.”
