Indigenous Patient Navigator (Cancer)
Eligibility
This service and support is for patients, family & community members who self-identify: -First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Urban Indigenous patients receiving cancer care in the Erie St. Clair region (Windsor‑Essex, Sarnia‑Lambton, and Chatham‑Kent counties), including Bkejwanong (Walpole Island First Nation), Eelūnaapèewii Lahkèewiit (Delaware Nation), Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, Aamjiwnaang First Nation, and Caldwell First Nation. -Family members and caregivers supporting an Indigenous loved one -Patients at any point in their cancer journey — diagnosis, treatment, follow‑up, or survivorship -Health‑care providers looking to strengthen culturally safe care for Indigenous patients
Description:
The Indigenous Navigator provides support and advocacy for patients, family & community members who self-identify with proof of Indigenous Ancestry - First Nations (on & off reserve, status or non-status), Metis and Inuit by facilitating and coordinating access to cancer services for palliative and supportive care and addressing cultural and spiritual needs.
The Indigenous Navigator is able to provide information on treatment and support available to you, which could include:
Answer questions about what to expect with upcoming appointments or tests
- Support a patient at clinic visits (attends with patient/family)
- Introduce a patient to healthcare providers
- Find more information about cancer and treatment
- Connect a patient/family with spiritual support, as well as support in the community
- Assist with applications for financial and transportation services
- Advocate with and for a patient/family to equitably and rightfully conduct ceremonial practices and alternative options as expressed by the patient/family. Some examples are: smudging, cedar bath, pipe ceremony, qulliq/kudlik