What would an End-of-Life Care Program at Sturgeon Lake First Nation look like?

Problem

Lack of access to culturally responsive care has been identified as a barrier to health equity among Indigenous peoples and was addressed by the Calls to Action identified by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. The aim of having an end-of-life care program in the community that was co-designed with the community and integrates Plains Cree practices and customs into supporting community members who choose to die at home supported by families and health care providers.

Approach

The overall design of the study was informed by the integration of community-based participatory research and transformative action research. Thus, this research endeavour has been co-created and co-designed with the community and will be co-implemented, co-produced and co-disseminated (presentations and publications) with members of the community as the project unfolds. Interviews will begin in the near future with oral consent will be obtained from an individual who will be invited to consider questions related to the traditional end-of-life care using Plains Cree customs and practices.

Findings

The community is and has been authentically engaged in enhancing their health and well-being. The findings will be analyzed and presented in a short oral presentation.

Consequences

It is hoped that the results/findings of the proposed project has the potential to co-design a traditional end-of-life program with Elders, Knowledge Keepers and the community which will support community members who choose to die at home supported by families, health care providers and the community.