Are any of you involved in projects related to indigenous health issues?

[Alies Maybee]

I am trying to understand who has experience in working with indigenous communities around health issues. How might it be different from any other communities. Thanks, Alies

[Jeanne Bank]

Hi Alies

I worked on a project with the Canadian Home Care Association for the First Nations Branch of Health Canada on community based care for children with complex needs. There is an extensive environmental scan, report of a workshop, and a high impact practice report from a community in Northern Manitoba which is very interesting. These are all available on the CHCA website, but if you need more info, let me know.

Jeanne

[Amy Ma]

Hi, at our hospital, I am currently working with a community organization, Indigenous Health Centre of Tiohtià:ke, to bring to the MUHC a smudging room and a lounge for patients coming from remote Inuit and First Nation communities, their families and their support staff.

It is a matter of patiently taking steps to self-educate on the history of colonization, being mindful of one's own biases, and letting the First Nation partners take the lead. We, as settlers, can be allies, but should never drown out their voices.

[Laurie Proulx]

In the spirit of reconciliation, I've been reading a lot about Indigenous experiences in Canada. From what I understand, it is about place-based community development where we let communities take the lead and support them in the healing and development processes. There a lot of good examples of community development (including economics) but I don't think they get enough attention in mainstream media (e.g. Cree communities in Quebec). I'm speaking more broadly and not specific to healthcare.

To be frank, I think there is a ton to be learned which could apply to engaging patients in our healthcare system and developing 'our communities'. I know a person with arthritis who is Metis and quite involved in her indigenous communities if you'd like me to connect the two you. There is also an amazing rheumatologist based in Calgary who is working quite a bit of various indigenous communities there (Dr. Cheryl Barnabe).

[Alies Maybee]

Wow, thanks Amy, Jeanne and Laurie. This is another question we get asked about and it is helpful to know our members also get involved in this area although there is so much to learn about it.

Jeanne, I may well get back to you to learn more about your initiative. Thanks all, Alies

[Virginia McIntyre]

Hi Alies,

We have done some work around indigenous communities. I sit with a Chronic Disease Management committee. Our committee invited 3 different cultures to come and speak with us regarding barriers to screening and healthcare. One of the representatives was from an indigenous community. This was a great session and much was learned.

We are hoping to visit their community in the future

Virginia

[Alies Maybee]

Thanks so much, Virginia. I am keen to learn as much as I can about engaging this community. Alies

[Tracy Fossum]

We have an On going conversation with First Nation communities about chronic pain and their unique struggles, resources, and barriers. Don't get me wrong our networking here is small and slow to develop but we have learned alot.

Though we both use English we speak very different languages. We learned early to never assume that though we used the same word that the definition we apply to it is the same. We listen careful for the definition meaning more so than the wording and how it applies with in their community.

These are communities with strong oral story telling communication. So we discovered we often get farther and understand better in this realm. Instead of a discussion about available services we ask for a description about the experience. We learned to listen to the story and hear what they struggled with, accessed, how they felt.

I think our biggest lesson was that as an outsider we are perceived as arrogant when we assume what they feel about their situation or needs. There was a story that would make most of us feel badly for the patient, but it was a story about conquering an obstacle. We didn't try to offer a way to fix this, but how we could help improve it. It was a great lesson for me.

At one meeting we were trying to figure out why the distrust was so high of health care authorities when they were trying to help. The local health nurse gave me a long discussion about historic issues... The elders said because they come into our community and count us, tell us what we need and do not hear what would help us. They force our community to adapt to their thinking. We would not dictate to a Christian how to practice Christmas celebrations... Their community is very much a part of a silent faith.

Hope these insights help.

Tracy

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[Alies Maybee]

Super! Thanks, Tracy and Amy. I love what you say about stories Tracy. We could probably learn a lot from them. And thanks for the insights. Alies

[Alies Maybee]

Mary Anne, I may tap you for more insights. Thanks. Alies

[Lesley Singer]

I am looking at educating clinicians to treat indiginous populations using information which would be more individualized to indiginous populations so i am looking for anyone who already works with any indiginous people living with chronic pain

[Lesley Singer]

thanks for this

[Alies Maybee]

Leslie, this is such a key area these days since it is a focus of the government. Great you are jumping in.

Are any of our members indigenous and can shed light on best ways to move forward? Alies

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[Virginia McIntyre]

Hello Ladies,

I have done limited work with the indigenous. What we as a committee did was have develop a focus group to research why there is a lower uptake with screening programs. We invited someone from the LBGQ, african canadiana and indigenous communities to the table. Our focus was to find out what the barriers are and how can we do better to increase participation in the screening programs.

I can share what we have but not sure how much this will help.

Virginia

[Lesley Singer]

Hi

It might add to the discussion if we find out that indigenous population do not come for access to pain care. We are not there but thank you so much and can I keep your info for later