It was an honour to support this extraordinary project. The opportunity to visit and connect with Indigenous communities across Canada profoundly changed me. My role was to listen and help guide the dialogue process, but in truth, the individuals who trusted us with their stories led this work with light and love.
They shared their cancer journeys for many reasons — so others wouldn’t have to endure the same challenges, to leave a legacy, and to offer wisdom. Some knew they were nearing the end of their journey, and their courage in sharing their stories was deeply moving.
Though I was the listener, I became the learner — gifted by their knowledge, strength, and resilience. More than a decade later, I remain humbled by the kindness and courage of everyone who participated. They hold a permanent place in my heart.
What was the project about?
Dialogue and Storywork in Support of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Cancer Patients throughout Oncology and Primary Care Transition Experiences (Dialogue and Storywork) aimed to improve First Nations, Inuit and Métis cancer patient transition experiences and to increase available knowledge and information for primary and oncology care providers of the care needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis cancer patients and their families, care providers and communities during these periods. The Dialogue and Storywork project aimed to achieve the following objectives:
- Improve FNIM cancer patient transition experiences from time of diagnosis, through treatment and care, and upon discharge to a variety of community-based and primary care services.
- Develop sustainable working relationships between FNIM communities and primary and oncology care providers.
- Increase FNIM community ownership of strategies to improve cancer outcomes.
- Increase availability of culturally relevant and safe knowledge and information for primary care and oncology care providers of the care needs of FNIM cancer patients, families, care providers, and communities.
Here is what we did
In December 2014, the project team comprised of individuals from the Government of Northwest Territories, Alberta Health Services, BC Cancer Centre for the North, CancerCare Manitoba and SE Health began reaching out to communities to determine interest in participating in the project. Once communities were confirmed and community champions were finalized, I was able to meet in-person with communities to share information about the project and invite individuals to share their stories. We took the time participants needed to record their cancer stories on video. For some participants, their family members joined them during the recording for support. These stories were then shared with oncology and primary care providers in the same province or territory; their reactions to the stories shared were video recorded and shared back with the community participants. This created long-distance dialogues with primary care and oncology providers. Twenty-eight individuals from eight First Nations communities participated in this project. In addition, interviews with seventeen primary and oncology care providers were recorded.
Participants were involved in each stage of the process, which included opportunities for participatory editing of their individual videos. This was key to developing and strengthening ongoing relationships with participants.
Our collaborators:
The Government of the Northwest Territories Department of Health and Social Services and Alberta Health Services were the lead implementing partners along with CancerCare Manitoba, the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North, SE Research Centre and the SE First Nations, Inuit and Métis Program.
Participating communities:
- Aklavik, Fort Good Hope and Fort Resolution, Northwest Territories,
- Gitxsan Territory and Nisga’a Nation, British Columbia,
- Chipewyan Prairie and Fort Alexander Alberta,
- Lac Brochet, Manitoba.
Innovative approach
Dialogue & Storywork broke ground in its innovative use of methodology and collaboration to build trust and broker dialogue between First Nations cancer patients, their communities, and their primary and oncology care providers to improve outcomes for FNIM people during their cancer journey.
What did we learn?
The stories from all 45 participants led to the emergence of themes that have been woven together in the final videos, called Transition Support Resources. Not only do these resources present information for cancer patients, survivors, and their families and communities at large, they also contribute to the generation of understanding between patients and care providers.
Collaboration with community champions is vital to understanding local protocols and respecting local community engagement processes.
An innovative use of dialogue through storytelling revealed many of the underlying values, beliefs, hopes, and needs of First Nation cancer patients, communities, and care providers by providing opportunities to recognize similarities as well as to explore and interpret differences.
Participants shared:
“I’m a nurse and I think a lot of the time we see a lot of guidelines and policies and I think this provides something that is much more close to Traditional than we ever get to see a lot of the time, and it almost gives us permission for people as well to be able to express that story is so important and it’s one of the components that we can miss the most. So I am really thankful we have this and that it’s going to be available.”
Aklavik, NT Community Nurse
“The Dialogue and Storywork project left an everlasting impact here in the Gitxsan Territory. Many were able to view loved ones on their cancer journey and left a valuable image embedded into our memories of loved ones passed on. The stories told helped others understand what it’s like to have cancer here in the north. One community member stated this instilled a sense of pride to see and hear from our own community members. Community members also said it was easier to relate to the stories…To see and hear the struggles and difficulties firsthand and to be able to hear that from one of our own…living in the same communities, same environment… to show others they are not alone. To share the hurt, sadness but also the love and joy was healing to one another…. Our Gitxsan Nation is forever thankful for allowing us to share our people’s cancer journey. Thank you very much Doris for taking time to be with us. We are indebted to you!!”
Robynn Muldoe – CH L.P.N.
This project was funded by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, as part of their national effort to respond to the continuing increase in First Nations, Inuit and Métis cancer rates.
The Dialogue and Storywork project continues to resonate deeply with all who were involved. The stories shared are not just resources — they are acts of generosity, courage, and healing. I am forever grateful to the individuals and communities who made this work possible.
Visit the Dialogue and Storywork website for videos and resources. https://research.sehc.com/resources/indigenous-health-and-care-experiences/dialogue-storywork
Alberta Individual Interviews
BC Individual Interviews
Manitoba Individual Interviews
Northwest Territories Individual Interviews
