Regional Indigenous Cancer Plan Executive Summary

The South West Regional Cancer Program (SWRCP), through a collaborative partnership with Ontario Health, has developed its third South West Regional Indigenous Cancer Plan (SWRICP).  

This plan is designed to improve cancer service delivery for First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous people, and was collaboratively developed with Indigenous communities and organizations in the region.  

The plan builds on the framework of Ontario Cancer Plan 6 (OCP 6) 2024-2028, the fifth First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Urban Indigenous Cancer Strategy 2024-2028 (Strategy 5), the vision, values and goals of the SWRCP; and most importantly, provides direction on cancer care priorities from Indigenous partners in the region. This provides the necessary foundation to develop a SWRICP with Indigenous people that is truly impactful, respectful and sustainable.  

This document outlines the commitments of the SWRCP, aligns these with the strategic priorities detailed in Strategy 5, and identifies regional deliverables for the SWRICP. This document also outlines what impact these deliverables will have for Indigenous communities in the region. This information will be used to inform the implementation of the SWRICP and will highlight areas of mutual support that will strengthen Ontario’s cancer services and improve the experience for Indigenous patients and families throughout all phases of the cancer journey.  

About the Indigenous Cancer Care Unit at Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) and the Regional Indigenous team from SWRCP 

Ontario Health is the provincial agency responsible for ensuring Ontarians continue to receive high-quality healthcare services where and when they need them. Effective December 2, 2019, Ontario Health has taken on the work of Cancer Care Ontario.  

The Indigenous Cancer Care Unit (ICCU) collaborates with regional, provincial and national Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners and organizations to develop and implement Indigenous cancer strategies. Working together, the Indigenous Cancer Care Unit and Indigenous partners ensure that proposed programs and strategies are relevant and have the potential to be highly effective at individual, family and community levels. 

Regional Indigenous Team  

In response to the enhanced commitment of OH (CCO) to health equality, reducing inequities and improving cancer care for First Nations, Inuit, Metis and urban Indigenous peoples, the South West Regional Cancer Program’s Indigenous Program has grown and evolved. 

Learn more about the regional Indigenous team.

Strategic priorities and anticipated benefits to Indigenous Communities 

	Strategic Priority 1 - Building Productive Relationships Build and promote relationships with Indigenous partners based on trust and mutual respect. Anticipated benefits:   A foundation of trust and shared decision-making, guided by the needs and voices of Indigenous peoples and organizational partners, is established within the Regional Cancer Program Increased Indigenous input into regional goals and initiatives, ensuring Indigenous peoples have a voice in the cancer care system Increased access to Indigenous knowledge and traditional practices within the Regional Cancer Program
	Strategic Priority 2 - Measurement, Monitoring and Evaluation Compile and develop information to improve the quality of the cancer experience for patients, families and healthcare providers.  Anticipated benefits: Increased capacity to measure and analyze the Indigenous cancer burden Improved awareness among regional healthcare providers of cancer-related concerns unique to Indigenous peoples in the South West Region
	Strategic Priority 3 - Prevention and Well-bring Reduce rates of cancer and other chronic diseases in Indigenous People.  Anticipated benefits: Increased capacity to address the use of commercial tobacco among Indigenous organizations in the South West Region Established networks that enable long-term commercial tobacco cessation and education programming for Indigenous peoples
	Strategic Priority 4 - Screening Increase participation in cancer screening among Indigenous peoples across the province.  Anticipated benefits: Increased regional understanding of challenges with accessing cancer screening for Indigenous peoples in the South West Region Increased participation in colorectal, breast and cervical screening programs among Indigenous peoples in the South West Region Increased access to screening programs for Indigenous peoples in the South West Region
	Strategic Priority 5 - Palliative and End-of-Life Care Help take care of the palliative and end-of-life needs of Indigenous peoples with cancer.  Anticipated benefits: Improved understanding of regional Indigenous palliative care needs Enhanced support frameworks for Indigenous patients and their families, including spiritual care and social work
	Strategic Priority 6 - Survivorship Enhancing awareness of cancer survivorship and promoting culturally safe supports.  Anticipated benefits: Improved understanding of regional Indigenous survivorship support needs Enhanced support frameworks for Indigenous patients and their families, including spiritual care and social work
	Strategic Priority 7 - Education Increase the knowledge and awareness among Indigenous people about cancer and other chronic diseases, and among healthcare providers about cultural safety.  Anticipated benefits: Increased knowledge and understanding of cancer among Indigenous peoples in the South West Increased understanding of Indigenous history, culture and cancer care issues and needs
	Strategic Priority 8 - Equitable Access Reduce barriers in the health system and service delivery.  Anticipated benefits: Improved patient experience for Indigenous patients and families, leading to better health outcomes for Indigenous peoples

Acknowledgements 

This work was made possible with the feedback of South West Indigenous community members, partners and health teams. Through five engagement meetings, 135 surveys of Indigenous community members, and Elder Knowledge Keeper engagement and support, we were able to refine and focus our goals for the coming years. Miigwetch / Yaw^ko /Anushiik/Thank You.

Go back to the South West Regional Cancer Plans landing page.