Strategic Priority 1: Building Productive Relationships

Priorities and Actions

Build, grow, strengthen, sustain and measure relationships

Sustain and develop new relationships and partnerships with Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups
Continue to work with Indigenous leadership, governance structures, health networks, communities and other health system partners to implement the First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Urban Indigenous Cancer Strategy 2024-2028, as well as subsequent Regional Indigenous Cancer Plans
Support health system partners to develop respectful relationships that are accountable to Indigenous partners when addressing their cancer care needs, including regular reporting
Work with the Indigenous partners and organizations to establish ongoing communication processes based on their guidance
Continue to evaluate and refine ways to build relationships between the health system and Indigenous people, and examine whether these relationships are improving cancer care

Support Indigenous health priorities throughout the cancer system

Support health system partners’ response to current, evolving and new Indigenous cancer related priorities, as directed by First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous communities
Support Indigenous health transformation priorities as they relate to cancer

Support First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous knowledges and traditional practices in health care

Update information on existing cultural practices and initiatives across Ontario and help support the development and improvement of policies, healing spaces and other Indigenous traditional health priorities with health system partners
Promote respect for, and understanding of, First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous knowledges and traditional practices
Support Indigenous and health system partners in developing and evaluating culturally relevant protocols and processes that respect First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous knowledges and traditional practices in health care settings
Continue to engage with Elders and Traditional Healers to advise and guide the work of the First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Urban Indigenous Cancer Strategy

In collaboration with ICCU, Regional Indigenous Cancer Lead, Indigenous Navigator, Coordinator, and relevant networks, continuing the engagement strategy for the region
Continue to engage Indigenous communities and organizations that Indigenous partners are aware of the Indigenous cancer roles and program information
Further develop Indigenous expertise within the regional cancer system and the Provincial Primary Care and Cancer Network through Regional Indigenous Cancer Lead and Cervical Lead
Engage with the Primary Care and Cancer Network to share information and resources (e.g., presentations and submission to the newsletter)
Continue to connect with the 14 hospitals in the region to share information about the South West Regional Cancer Program and the Indigenous program in the region
Continue to identify and collaborate with key service providers on programming and services for FNIMuI in the region (NIHB, pharmacy)
System gap analysis of regional hospitals on existing cultural practices (scan)
Work with partners to promote respect for, and understanding of, Indigenous knowledge and traditional medicines (spiritual care, policies)

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

Regional Indigenous Cancer Plan Overview