“In a good way”: Going beyond patient navigation to ensure culturally relevant care in the cancer system for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis patients in Ontario

Abstract

First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples have been living in accordance to a holistic approach, which includes physical, mental, spiritual and emotional wellness. It is only recently that some Western systems are making space for incorporating these Indigenous ways. The Aboriginal Navigator role, within Cancer Care Ontario, models such a method. This paper presents a review of the Navigator role outside of Ontario then presents the scope of the role and its impact in the provincial cancer system context. While cancer risk factors and outcomes are increasing over time among the First Nations, Inuit and Metis populations in Ontario, highlighting promising practices that are relevant and show improved wellbeing are needed to share.