2025-12-24
Aric Rankin, Andrea Baumann, Bernice Downey, Ruta Valaitis, Pat Mandy, Amy Montour, Danielle Bourque Bearskin
Background: Indigenous Peoples in Canada have endured a significant history of colonization which has resulted in intergenerational disparities impacting individual and community wholistic health outcomes. This is complicated further for Indigenous Peoples who choose to access a complex mainstream, biomedical, colonial healthcare system. The role of the Indigenous Patient Navigator (IPN) has been identified as a strategy to address social determinants of health and provide a person-centered approach to empower individuals and families to establish a connection with appropriate health and social services. Purpose: The overall purpose of this study is to explore the role of the IPN across health care settings in the province of Ontario, Canada. More specifically, to understand the roles and activities IPNs undertake to address the health and social service barriers and enablers Indigenous community members experience when accessing the mainstream, biomedical healthcare system. Methods: This is a multi-site qualitative study guided by the methodological principles of Interpretive Description and the guidance of the Two-Eyed Seeing approach to ensure the inclusion of non-Indigenous and Indigenous worldviews. Results: Thirty-six participants (20 IPNs and 16 Indigenous community members who accessed IPN services in Ontario, Canada) participated in semi-structured one-to-one, virtual or telephone interviews. Additionally, ten IPN organizational documents were reviewed for this study. Eight IPN roles are presented with corresponding activities including: 1) health and social service navigation, 2) wholistic support of Indigenous Peoples, 3) education, 4) Indigenous Knowledge and Traditional healing, 5) advocacy and capacity building, 6) administrative navigation, 7) leadership, and 8) outreach. Conclusion: This research provides a deeper understanding of the role of the IPN across health care settings and how the role addressees barriers and enablers Indigenous community members experience when accessing health and social services.
2025-11-18
John Bosco Acharibasam, Cari McIlduff, Judy Upton, Ethel Starblanket, Reah Starr, Victor Starr, Denita Starr, Lilian Mallo, Mercy Amoo, Amaeze Amaeze, Jesse Smith, Mikayla Hagel, Mahour Taheri
Colonial legacies have left Indigenous older adults in remote communities vulnerable to health challenges that impede healthy ageing in place. Access to culturally safe health programming and support for using ageing technology remains a significant challenge for these older adults. Our previous research projects within the Star Blanket Cree Nation introduced older adults to new technologies, including blood glucose monitors, blood pressure monitors, smart scales, tablets, and Fitbits. The Community Knowledge Council, which directs this research, has identified a significant gap in further support and health programming around these technologies that must be addressed. Consequently, the Community Knowledge Council has recommended engaging older adults through culturally safe health programming focused on technology use. Using an Indigenist theoretical framework and a community-based participatory research approach, this research project aims to support Indigenous older adults in maximizing existing technologies through culturally safe health programming. Sharing circles involving ten older adults from the community are employed to gather knowledge and explore culturally appropriate health programs that facilitate technology usage among Indigenous older adults. Our findings underscore the importance of grounding Indigenous culture in designing ageing technology support programs for remote Indigenous communities. For instance, we found that intergenerational support, a critical component of Indigenous culture, plays a vital role in adopting ageing technology. Therefore, designing age-tech support programs without incorporating younger family members poses significant challenges within these communities.
2025-11-14
Sonja Wicklum, Nia Griffiths, Ashley Amson, Loretta Tuttauk, Lynden Crowshoe, Yunqi Ji, Kerry McBrien, Nicola Stuebing, Jessica Zhang, Carly Checholik, Patricia Doyle-Baker, Ruth Scalp Lock, Sara Scott, Jody Forbes, Levi Frehlich
Objective Indigenous women experience poorer health and wellness outcomes as a consequence of colonialism and injustice. Past research highlights physical activity as a way to mitigate the impacts of trauma caused by colonialism. To support the health and wellbeing of Indigenous women, the Makoyoh’sokoi Program, a wholistic physical activity initiative was created to build community and promote wellness. The program consisted of a physical activity component, a health education module, and a sharing circle. This article collates five cohorts (two years) of qualitative data to answer the question - “How has Makoyoh’sokoi influenced your health journey?” Methods Photovoice, a form of Community-Based Participatory Research that combines audio and visual mechanisms, was employed. Participants were asked to capture photographs they felt best represented their experiences with the program and then describe them amongst the other participants. Thematic analysis was conducted to understand the impacts of the program. Results Seven major themes were identified: 1) self-realization, 2) self-awareness, 3) improved personal wellness, 4) social support, 5) cultural support, 6) hope, and 7) gratitude. Conclusions Photovoice was a valuable tool for capturing the participant’s experiences while giving them creative freedom. We found that participant’s health and wellness improved over the course of the program and equipped them with tools and knowledge to continue their positive health journeys post program.
2025-11-08
Jessica Carfagnini, Helle Møller, Charles Levkoe, Miranda Lesperance, Alexis Harvey
Health inequities for Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island have been well documented, but the role of naturopathic doctors in contributing to Indigenous-led healthcare initiatives remains understudied. Very little research exists documenting the experiences of Indigenous individuals with naturopathic medicine. This qualitative research study contributes to addressing this gap by exploring the experiences of twelve Indigenous people who have accessed care from licensed naturopathic doctors in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Couched in discussions about the impact of colonisation and ongoing colonialism on their health and healthcare, participants expressed that the philosophy of naturopathic medicine aligns with Indigenous concepts of health and healing being holistic, collaborative, patient-centred and offering natural treatment options (e.g. plant medicines). In addition, participants experienced naturopathic doctors as trustworthy well-educated healthcare providers who listened. Barriers to accessing naturopathic care included the cost of appointments and prescribed substances; lack of awareness and misconceptions about naturopathic medicine; and geographical limitations. Indigenous patients accessing naturopathic medicine in Thunder Bay articulated that it has a key role to play in the health care they desire for themselves, their families and communities. Future research projects can query whether this finding holds true in other regions, and can explore the role of naturopathic medicine in Indigenous-led healthcare.
2025-09-23
Shannon Vandenberg, Tracy Oosterbroek, Andrea Chircop, Peter Kellett
Background: Planetary health challenges—such as climate change and vector-borne diseases—not only threaten human health, but also jeopardize food and water security, ecosystems, economic stability, and social well-being. Registered nurses play an integral role in supporting populations affected by planetary health challenges. Purpose: The purpose of the larger cross-sectional study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of registered nurses in Canada related to climate sensitive vector-borne diseases. This manuscript presents findings of the Indigenous participants from the larger study. Methods: A national self-administered digital survey was distributed to practicing registered nurses in Canada. Results: Of the 382 survey respondents, 35 respondents declared as Indigenous, Metis, or Inuit. Results indicated that most worked as frontline care providers, and several were nurse educators. Study findings revealed enhanced knowledge of climate change and vector-borne diseases, as well as increased awareness of, confidence toward, preparedness, and experiences with vector-borne diseases in practice demonstrated by Indigenous, Metis, and Inuit participants. The greater knowledge and confidence of Indigenous, Metis, and Inuit nurses toward climate change and vector-borne diseases may be attributed to intergenerational knowledge transfer, which has provided them with the knowledge to observe and adapt to climate-related concerns, such as the changing vector landscape. Conclusion: Indigenous nurses are well-positioned to lead the nursing profession to a decolonization of nursing knowledge, where Indigenous knowledge is used to educate and prepare nurses to address planetary challenges in practice and assume a greater role in leading change to advocate for a climate-resilient future.
2025-09-23
Kieran Peltier, Mark Bruner, Colin McLaren, Cindy Peltier, Brenda Bruner
Sport and physical activity have been mobilized as a vehicle for positive developmental outcomes of Indigenous youth . These experiences offer Indigenous youth the capacity to attain their full potential, accrue wholistic health benefits, and live in balance. Despite this knowledge, there is still limited research to understand Indigenous perspectives in extant literature. The purpose of this research was to explore and better understand how the wholistic health of First Nations youth is impacted through participation in sport and physical activity. Using purposeful sampling, eight First Nations youth (5 males, 3 females) between the age of 14 and 18 years ( M age = 16.75 years) were recruited to participate in one of two virtual sharing circles. Results highlighted that sport and physical activity are associated with positive outcomes related to physical adaptations, mental health, mental skills, and interconnectedness for First Nations youth. However, to balance findings, this research also demonstrates room for growth in sport and physical activity participation (e.g., racism). Findings from this research add important context and nuance to the overarching belief that sport and physical activity participation is beneficial to the wholistic health of Indigenous youth.