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Indigenous members in Wawa and Chapleau are receiving upgraded and in-depth healthcare from the hospital to their homes.
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Maamwesying is expanding its Indigenous System Navigator (ISN) to Lady Dunn Health Centre and Services de santé Chapleau Health Services, providing support to members of the Chapleau Ojibwe First Nation, Chapleau Cree First Nation, Brunswick House First Nation, and Michipicoten First Nation, according to a release.
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“Oftentimes, hospitals are not familiar with the resources available back in our First Nations communities, so our navigators are there to help bridge that information and link clients with the services needed,” said Edith Mercieca, director of home and community care to the Sault Star.
The service is offered to patients who respond “yes” to the Voluntary Indigenous Self-Identification question, which is asked at the time of hospital registration
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“They would then be asked to be sent to a referral to a system, navigator to support you during the hospital stay. If agreed, we would make a bedside visit to see how we can support that individual,” she said.
ISN collects key information about the patient’s medical needs and cultural preferences. It explains treatment plans, hospital instructions, coordinates transportation, and home care services.
Maamwesyings’ goal is to ensure culturally safe, respectful, and supportive care experiences for Indigenous peoples.
“Many Indigenous people still do not feel safe in the hospital. For those who have experienced racism, discrimination, or generational trauma, it can trigger fear and anxiety. The expansion of the program to include our northern community partners enhances our ability to ensure each person feels secure, with their culture, values, and needs honoured,” says Carol Eshkakogan, chief executive officer of Maamwesying North Shore Community Health Services, in a release.
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ISN is a provincially funded project through Maamwesying directly, and works closely with Ontario health.
“We have a great relationship, though finds are limited,” Mercieca said.
The service implementation will be phased in with full integration expected by early 2026.
The ISN service has been operating in Maamwesying partner hospitals since 2010, including Sault Area Hospital, North Shore
Health Network, St. Joseph’s General Hospital Elliot Lake, Espanola Regional Hospital and Health Centre, and Health Sciences North. Its a well-established service model that acts as a bridge between hospital and home care for Indigenous patients.
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