For many Indigenous cancer patients, receiving care is much more than the therapy you get at a hospital. Traditional care, which can include rituals and spiritual counseling, is often an equally important part of their healing. The Indigenous Navigator provides support to people with cancer and their families who identify as having First Nations, Inuit or Metis ancestry.
In southeastern Ontario, the Indigenous Navigator is Dionne Nolan. Dionne is a mixed blood Algonquin and Ojibwe and a member of the Katarokwi Aboriginal Community for over 15 years.
An Indigenous Navigator offers service and support for Indigenous people and their families living with cancer in the South East region. They are there with you throughout your cancer journey from diagnosis, treatment, recovery to palliative or end-of-life care.
Who the Indigenous Navigator works with:
- Inuit, Metis and First Nations patients, families and their community
- Health care providers
What the Indigenous Navigator does:
- Ensure you understand what you are being told by attending appointments with you
- Remind you “who is who” in your cancer journey
- Search for options with you, including natural practices or traditional healers
Where the Indigenous Navigator will meet you:
By appointment, in hospital, by phone and, when possible, at home
When to contact the Indigenous Navigator
Throughout your cancer journey from diagnosis, treatment, recovery to palliative
To make an appointment with the Indigenous Navigator talk to a member of your cancer care team or contact Dionne Nolan by email or call 613-549-6666 and dial extension 3851 (toll-free 1-800-567-5722, extension 3851). No referral is necessary.
Dionne is also the host of the podcast Dibaajimo: she/he tells a story, where she is joined by guests telling the stories of their lived experiences with cancer care, discusses the intersection of traditional and western medicine, and sharing important screening and prevention tools and information. Listen to Dibaajimo here.
Skennenkowa (great peace to you).
