A trip to the hospital is stressful for just about anyone.
Throw in cultural differences and language barriers and it can be downright frightening.
Officials at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, drawing on their commitment to Aboriginal Health in the hospital’s strategic plan, on Monday formally introduced an expanded 25-member Aboriginal Advisory Committee.
Abe Kakapetum, an elder on the committee, said patients from First Nations communities have to come to cities like Thunder Bay to get health care, but often know nothing about life away from home.
“They’re from a different culture when they come to the city,” Kakapetum said. “I think it’s important that we recognize that and to also respect and try to do things that will benefit the patients.”
A welcome atmosphere and environment tops his to-do list for the hospital, with cultural sensitivities close behind.
“The language is a big thing, especially elders that come from up north and don’t speak the language, as far as English goes. They need to have interpreters who will also know the medical terms,” he said, praising the hospital on its progress to date.
Thunder Bay Regional CEO Andree Robichaud said the committee existed when she arrived at the hospital two years ago.
Over the course of time the hospital board realized it was time to expand, to include better representation and more elders from the Aboriginal community, to give advice on policy.
The committee has been operating in its present form for about six months, Robichaud said, adding the benefits are already being realized.
“They provide us with advice on how we make Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre more culturally sensitive, how we adopt our policies,” she said.
Robichaud went on to say that 20 per cent of hospital patients are Aboriginal, and the staff contingent is also starting to expand, including four new nurses hired in recent weeks.
“We really need to be respectful of their culture and we need to adapt on things that are very important to them and essential to their culture. So it’s really a way of engaging our partners and moving the agenda forward in an important way.”
Committee members are as follows:
- Abe Kakapetum, Elder, Dennis Franklin Cromarty School
- Sam Achneepineskum, Aboriginal liaison, City of Thunder Bay
- Brenda Mason, St. Joseph’s Care Group
- Daryl Ottertail, Wequedong Lodge
- Ernie May, Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre
- Francine Pellerin, Matawa First Nations
- Fred Sky, Wequedong Lodge
- Jason Beardy, Nishnawbe Aski Nation
- Louise Thomas, Ahnisnabae Art Gallery
- Mona Hardy, patient and family advisor
- Robert Fenton, Ontario Native Women’s Association
- Sandra Cornell, Lakehead University Native Nurses Entry Program
- Shelly Whitney, Metis Nation of Ontario
- Stanley Sainnawap, Wasaya Group, Inc.
- Susan Fitzpatrick, Dilico Anhishnabek Family Care, Fort William First Nation
- Teresa Trudeau, Anishnawbe Mushkiki
- Tina Armstrong, Aboriginal Affairs, Northern Ontario School of Medicine
- Kanita Johnson, Aboriginal liaison, Renal Services, TBRHSC
- Susan Anderson, Aobiriginal liaison and translator, TBRHSC
- Carmen Blais, Aboriginal engagement lead and patient advocate, TBRHSC
- Rev. Merv Wilson, Multi-Faith chaplain, spiritual care, TBRHSC
- Tracie Smith, senior director, communications and engagement, TBRHSC
- Mark Henderson, executive vice-president, chronic disease and prevention management, TBRHSC
- Andree Robichaud, chairwomn, Aboriginal Advisory Committee and president and CEO, TBRHSC
