About the Aboriginal Health Elective

General Objectives:
The goal of the Aboriginal Health Elective is to provide students with knowledge and skills related to health care practice and policy from within Aboriginal contexts. Enabling students to acquire and put into practice concepts and information required to understand and manage health for Aboriginal Peoples; to engage in culturally competent and safe practice through knowledge development; and, the ability to identify areas of need specific to Aboriginal health.

Elective Schedule:
The objectives will be obtained through a series of ten two-hour sessions from January 6 – March 16, 2012. Sessions occur every Friday from 10:00am-12:00pm with video conferencing to the regional campuses. Session formats will include a mix of lectures, small group discussion and site visits to both urban and reserve Aboriginal health care facilities. Alternatives will be made for regional campus participants during off site sessions to meet participation requirements.

Elective Overview

Session 1: Introduction to Aboriginal Peoples Health: Cultural Competency & Safety; The Patient Navigator Role
Speakers: Danielle N. Soucy, M.A., ASHS Office Director and Program Coordinator; Lee Styres Loft (Cayuga Nation, Killdeer Clan, Six Nations), Aboriginal Patient Navigator, Supportive Care and Palliative Care Programs, Juravinski Cancer Centre
Session 2: Public Health Services
Speaker: Kathy Bell, R.N. BScN, MHA (Ojibway, Curve Lake First Nation)
Session 3: Diabetes and Indigenous People in Canada an Overview & Community Based Case Study; Kahnawake Schools Diabetes Prevention Project (KSDPP) a Best Practice Model
Speaker: Alex McComber (Mohawk, Kahnawake Territory)
Session 4: Traditional Medicine as an UGME Elective
Speaker: Marcia Anderson DeCouteau, MD, MPH, FRCPC (Cree-Saulteaux)
Session 5: Urban Aboriginal Health (site visit: De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre)
Speaker: Walter Cooke (Ojibway/Cree)
Session 6: Elders Knowledge in Traditional Medicine Practices
Speakers: Bertha Skye (Cree) & Gerard Sagassige (Ojibway, Mississauga Nation)
Session 7: HIV/AIDS
Speakers: Marlene Larocque (Cree, Waterhen First Nation)
Session 8*: Interprofessional Day in Education (IPE): Aboriginal Health (*FULL DAY off-site at Six Nations Polytechnic)
Speakers: Six Nations Family Health Team
Session 9: The Contaminated Canoe: Restoring Our Health
Speakers: Rick Hill (Tuscarora, Six Nations)
Session 10: Closing, Debrief & Feast; "The Gift of the 4 Nations and Their Responsibilities"
Speakers: Walter Cooke (Ojibway-Cree); Danielle N. Soucy, M.A., ASHS Office Director and Program Coordinator

Aboriginal Health Elective 2012 Syllabus

CLICK HERE for a PDF of the hard-copy syllabus.

Session 1: Introduction to Aboriginal Peoples Health: Cultural Competency & Safety; The Patient Navigator Role

Session 2: Public Health Services

Session 3: Diabetes and Indigenous People in Canada an Overview & Community Based Case Study; Kahnawake Schools Diabetes Prevention Project (KSDPP) a Best Practice Model

Session 4: Traditional Medicine as an UGME Elective

Session 5: Urban Aboriginal Health (site visit: De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre)

Session 6: Elders Knowledge in Traditional Medicine Practices

Session 7: HIV/AIDS

Session 8: Interprofessional Day in Education- Aboriginal Health (FULL DAY off-site at Six Nations Polytechnic)

Session 9: The Contaminated Canoe: Restoring Our Health

Session 10: Closing, Debrief and Feast; "The Gift of the 4 Nations and Their Responsibilities"

Lee Styres Loft (Cayuga Nation, Killdeer Clan, Six Nations)

Session 1: The Patient Navigator Role

Matilda Lee Styres Loft is from the Cayuga Nation and is of the Killdeer Clan, from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory in South Western Ontario.

Lee graduated with Honours from Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology. She possesses a diploma in Native Community Care: Counselling and Development.
As well, Lee has participated in formalized Aboriginal culture-based training education sessions for well over 30 years.

Through her extensive work with Aboriginal communities primarily in South Western Ontario, Lee has gained experience and cultural insights in areas of community development, crisis intervention, wholistic health promotion, and patient advocacy and support across the Life Continuum.

Lee’s current role is that of the Aboriginal Patient Navigator at the Juravinski Cancer Centre Hamilton Health Sciences. This is currently the only such role at a regional cancer centre in the province providing support and advocacy services for individuals of Aboriginal descent with a diagnosis of cancer, and their families.

Lee has contributed to Aboriginal cancer care curriculum and resource development. As well, Lee continues to deliver cultural competency training sessions with health professionals, and community members alike.

In 2011, Lee had the privilege of co-producing the Aboriginal virtual tour video, “Gowdugyinawasi Ogwehowe Gawahas Gonosodi” (Aboriginal Support for Those Living with Cancer).

Lee possesses a deep sense of cultural self-identity as a Sister, Auntie, Mother, Grandmother, and Helper, and as a result, strongly believes that nurturing extended family relationships and connection to community to be powerful aspects of wholistic wellness, health and healing.

Kathy Bell (Ojibway, Curve Lake First Nation)

Session 2: Public Health Services

Kathy Bell is the Manager of the Sexual Health program at Niagara Region Public Health. She graduated from Niagara College as a Registered Nurse in 1994, continued on to receive her undergraduate degree from Niagara University in 2007 and attained her Masters in Health Administation in 2006. Previously Kathy was the Aboriginal Healthy Babies Healthy Children, Public Health Nurse across the Niagara region from 1997 to 2003 and managed the HBHC program from 2003-2010. Kathy is Ojibway and from Curve Lake First Nation. She has 3 children Jacob, Brandon and Kassidy and a wonderfully supportive husband Chris. Her passions include diabetes research, advocating for children’s rights, healthy child development and equalizing health disparities amongst vulnerable populations.

Alex M. Otsehtokon McComber (Mohawk, Kahnawake Territory)

Session 3: Diabetes and Indigenous People in Canada an Overview & Community Based Case Study; Kahnawake Schools Diabetes Prevention Project (KSDPP) a Best Pracitice Model

Alex is Kanien’kehaka (Mohawk) of the bear clan from Kahnawake Territory near Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, son of a retired ironworker. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Secondary School Teacher Training from Saint Francis College (1976); he holds a Master’s in Education Administration from McGill University (1996) and is an adjunct professor with the Faculty of Education at McGill. He received a Certificate in Indigenous Community Health Approaches (June 2008) from First Nations Technical Institute and St. Lawrence College. He is married with three children of the wolf clan and four grandchildren.

Alex was with the Kahnawake Schools Diabetes Prevention Project (KSDPP) from 1994 to 2006 as an intervention facilitator, Interim Executive Director and Training Coordinator. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the National Aboriginal Diabetes Association from 1999 to 2006, serving as Chairperson from 2001-2005. Alex has been a substance abuse prevention program coordinator; a high school teacher and principal at the Kahnawake Survival School (1978-1994), a volunteer firefighter and little league baseball coach. He is an independent consultant in diabetes prevention, health promotion, Indigenous education and strategic planning; he offers workshops in community mobilization for healthy promotion and personal empowerment for diabetes prevention.

Marcia Anderson DeCouteau, MD, MPH, FRCPC (Cree-Saulteaux)

Session 4: Traditional Medicine as an UGME Elective

- Past President, Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada
- Assistant Professor, Departments of Community Health Sciences and Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba
- Medical Officer of Health, Manitoba Health and Healthy Living

Dr. Marcia Anderson is Cree- Saulteaux, with roots going to the Norway House Cree Nation and Peguis First Nation in Manitoba. She currently practices general internal medicine in Winnipeg and co-leads the Manitoba First Nations Public Health Improvement Pilot Project. At the University of Manitoba she coordinates the Indigenous health teaching for medical students. Her research interests include improving the health measurement of Indigenous peoples in Canada, examining methods to combine Indigenous knowledge with Western public and primary health care practices, and the use of equity focused health impact assessments as a tool to reduce health inequities. Dr. Anderson is the Past President of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada.

Walter Cooke (Ojibway-Cree, Bear Clan)

Session 5: Urban Aboriginal Health (site visit: De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre)

Session 10: Elder's Closing Activity

Walter Cooke was originally born in Berens River, Manitoba. He presently resides in Winona, Ontario with his wife of 43 years, Deborah. They have three grown children and 5 grandchildren. Walter's Anishnabe name is "Cheek Ka Shky" meaning "Star Watcher". He has been doing traditional healing work for approximately 20 years. His teachings come from listening to elders and in large, from his own way of life and that of his parents. Walter facilitates a Healing Journey Program at the De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre. He obtained his counseling certificate through Mohawk College. He has also been involved with many Aboriginal Agencies/Organizations in Hamilton in addressing their own healing journeys.

Marlene Larocque (Cree, Waterhen First Nation)

Session 7: HIV/AIDS

Marlene Larocque is Cree from the Waterhen First Nation in Saskatchewan and currently works as the HIV Strategy Coordinator for the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority in Prince Albert.

Marlene has worked in the area of Aboriginal health for over ten years and includes attention to health themes such as gender and health, HIV, maternal and child health and chronic disease prevention. She has previously worked with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, the National Aboriginal Health Organization, Health Canada and the Prairie Women's Health Centre of Excellence.

Marlene has also worked internationally with Indigenous Peoples' organizations in Latin America, namely in Ecuador and Argentina. Marlene has a Bachelor of Social Work from Carleton University and a Masters of Public Health from the University of Saskatchewan

Gerard Sagasigge (Ojibwe, Mississauga Nation)

Session 6: Elders Knowledge in Traditional Medicine Practices

Gerard Sagassigge is an Aboriginal Spiritual and Cultural Advisor for the Healing of the Seven Generations office, a community healing strategy and support program, in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario.

Gerard was raised traditionally, with belief, faith and prayers; he maintains a guidance structure from a circle of Aboriginal Elders. Gerard’s life focus is to seed one’s healing path for the legacies of the residential school era and the 60’s scoop of Aboriginals.

Gerard is currently the Elder-in-Residence for the Kitchener-Waterloo regional campus for McMaster University’s Aboriginal Students Health Sciences office.

Bertha Skye (Cree)

Aboriginal Students Health Sciences Office, McMaster University

Session 6: Elders Knowledge in Traditional Medicine Practices

Bertha Skye was born in Northern Saskatchewan where her mother was an Aboriginal Midwife. She started cooking at Residential Schools at the age of seventeen until she was twenty-seven. She is married to Hubert Skye, a Faithkeeper at Six Nations Reserve where they have raised five children and six grandchildren. In 1992, Bertha competed in the World Culinary Olympics where her team won 7 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze medals. Since then she taught traditional cooking to young women and women with diabetes.

Bertha is currently an Elder-in-Residence at McMaster University for both the Aboriginal Students Health Sciences office and the Indigenous Studies Program as well as Elder-in-Residence at Mohawk College.

Six Nations Family Health Team

Session 8: Interprofessional Day in Education- Aboriginal Health

Off-site visit to Six Nations of the Grand River

Six Nations Health Services implements the community health programs and support services under the authority of the Six Nations of the Grand River elected council. The programs they offer play a very important role in the health care system within the Six Nations of the Grand River community. They generate a wealth of data about health care needs and trends for community health development. Currently, these programs are undergoing their second Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation Program. This process encourages examination and improvements in the quality of care and services provided to Six Nations community members.

Rick Hill (Tuscarora)

Session 9: The Contaminated Canoe: Restoring Our Health

Rick Hill is a member of the Beaver Clan of the Tuscarora Nation. A Six Nations-based community scholar, he has formerly taught at the State University of New York at Buffalo; Institute of American Indians arts, Santa Fe, NM; FNTI, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory where he taught a course on Indigenous Health Approaches. He has also served as Assistant Director for Public Programs for the National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution.

Hamilton Campus:

Michael DeGroote Centre for Learning (MDCL) 2232*

* Except:

February 3, 2012 (site visit: De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre. You are responsible for your own transportation.) CLICK HERE for directions.
February 17, 2012- MDCL 3020
March 2, 2012 (IPE Day site visit: Six Nations Polytechnic, transportation provided from McMaster Main campus.)

Niagara Campus:

Via teleconference- Room #TBC*

*Except:

February 3, 2012 (site visit: De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre) Alternatives will be made for regional campus participants during off site sessions to meet participation requirements.

March 2, 2012 (IPE Day site visit: Six Nations Polytechnic, transportation provided from McMaster Main campus

Waterloo Campus:

Via teleconference- Room # WRC 3009*

*Except

January 27, 2012: Room # WRC 3008
February 3, 2012 (site visit: De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre) Alternatives will be made for regional campus participants during off site sessions to meet participation requirements.
March 2, 2012 (IPE Day site visit: Six Nations Polytechnic, transportation provided from McMaster Main campus)

To receive the most up-to-date announcements and information about the Aboriginal Health Elective and IPE- Aboriginal Health, check us out on our Social Networks- Twitter, Facebook & YouTube!

Location: Health Sciences Centre (HSC) 2A1E
Faculty of Health Sciences,
McMaster University
1200 Main Street West
Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5

Mailing Address: Health Sciences Centre (HSC) 2E5A
Faculty of Health Sciences,
McMaster University
1280 Main Street West
Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1

ASHS TEAM/STUDENT SPACE
HSC, Rm, 2A1E
Tel: 905-525-9140 x23935
ashs@mcmaster.ca

If you would like to be notified about future ASHS office events, please sign up on our mailing list by completing the form below.

The following documents have been made available by the session instructors for your reference and information only.

Session 1: Introduction & The Aboriginal Patient Navigator (Lee Styres Loft)

Aboriginal Patient Navigator Services- Powerpoint presentation given by Lee Styres Loft
Aboriginal Pathfinder- A reading list providedby Lee Styres Loft
"Aboriginal Support for Those Living with Cancer"- (Video) The video features our Aboriginal Patient Navigator, Lee Styres-Loft who helps Aboriginal patients and their families by:
• Providing support at clinic visits
• Helping patients and families communicate with doctors and nurses
• Arranging language and cultural translation services
• Helping patients and families find services
• Helping connect with traditional Aboriginal healers

Session 2: Public Health (Kathy Bell)

Aboriginal Public Health- Powerpoint presentation given by Kathy Bell
"Let's Start a Conversation about Health"- (Video) The goal of the video is to engage individuals and organizations throughout Niagara to begin a conversation about ways to achieve healthier communities, regardless of social and economic status.
"Canada Apologizes for the Residential School System"- (Video) June 11, 2008 - Prime Minister Harper offered Canada's aboriginal peoples an official apology for the government's involvement in the Indian residential school system and its ongoing policy of forced assimilation. Opposition leaders also offered their apologies during a special sitting of the House of Commons. Aboriginal leaders were welcomed onto the House floor to respond to the apology.

Session 3: Diabetes (Alex McComber)

"Type 2 Diabetes"- Powerpoint presentation (PDF)
"Taking the Responsibility to Heal Ourselves: Kahnawake Schools Diabetes Prevention Project"- Powerpoint presentation (PDF)
Kahnawake Schools Diabetes Prevention Project website
Ontario Coalition of Aboriginal People website

Session 4: Traditional Medicine as an UGME Elective (Marcia Anderson, MD, MPH, FRCPC)

No presentations or links provided.

Session 5: Urban Aboriginal Health (site visit: De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre)

De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre website

Session 6: Elders Knowledge in Traditional Medicine Practices (Gerard Sagassige & Bertha Skye)

No presentations or links provided.

Session 7: HIV/AIDS (Marlene Larocque, BSW, MPH)

HIV in First Nations Saskatchewan- Powerpoint presentation (PDF)
Public Health Agency of Canada- Population-Specific HIV/AIDS Status Report (Fact Sheet)
Adherence & Resistance (Worksheet)

Group Discussion Handouts:

Videos & Links

SK HIV Provincial Leadership Team website

"Dr. Stuart Skinner - Infectious Disease Specialist - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan"- (Video) Dr. Skinner talks about how HIV positive people who are in treatment can have much healthier, longer lives.

"Nicole - Finding Hope after HIV diagnosis"- (Video) Nicole talks about her reaction to first finding out she is HIV positive, how it affected her partner, how she has discovered new hope, and encourages others to get tested because there will be support for them.

Session 8: Interprofessional Day in Education: Aboriginal Health

Presentations coming soon.

Session 9: The Contaminated Canoe: Restoring Our Health

"Sh*t Canadians Say to Aboriginal Women"- (Video) Drawing attention to the abuse and victimization Aboriginal women face as a result of negative stereotypes in Canadian culture. Activism project for Women's Studies class in reflection after watching the Stolen Sisters documentary.

Registration for the 2012 Aboriginal Health Elective is now CLOSED.

To receive emails from the ASHS office about our programs and events, as well as a Weekly Update, please sign up on our mailing list by completing the form below.