Palliative Care
The Need
There are currently no Indigenous palliative care programs in Ottawa, and only a limited number exist across Canada. This project explores the palliative care needs of Ottawa’s urban Indigenous community.
What We are Doing
With support from Ontario Health East, the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition is leading a research project to develop a foundational understanding of what an Indigenous palliative approach to care and an Indigenous palliative care framework, could look like, grounded in and reflective of the needs of Ottawa’s urban Indigenous community.
"Palliative care is a partnership [...] it won't get easier or better, but I'm still with her, take care of your loved ones first."
OAC Elders demonstrate that Indigenous people take care of their community.
Logos and Graphics
The OAC Palliative Care project logo was inspired by conversations with Elders discussing Indigenous worldviews on the cycle of life and death and our experiences caring for those in transition between these worlds.
-
The tree in the background reminds us of the importance of each stage in this cycle: the roots grow deep into Mother Earth and nourish the tree, the branches extend with age closer to the sky, Spiritworld, and the leaves eventually die, restarting the cycle to support new life.
-
The two hands represent Indigenous people experiencing palliative care and the community supporting them through their journey, with an extended, helping hand.
-
Surrounding the circle are symbols representing the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit that are all part of the Indigenous community.
-
The inner circle depicts the four colours (yellow, red, black, and white) of the medicine wheel. The green and blue rings, combined with the medicine wheel, complete the six colours of the Métis sash. Finally, the green and blue rings mimic the Northern Lights and are surrounded by kakiniit, a traditional Inuit tattoo design.
Holistically, this logo symbolizes the Indigenous community caring for each other through life and death, supported by our Indigenous ways of knowing and being. The logo will continue to evolve as we continue to listen to community.
About the Project
What We are Doing
With support from Ontario Health East, the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition is leading a research project to develop a foundational understanding of what an Indigenous palliative approach to care and an Indigenous palliative care framework, could look like, grounded in and reflective of the needs of Ottawa’s urban Indigenous community.
What We have Done
Over the last years we have:
-
Met with the OAC's Elders and Knowledge Holders' Circle multiple times to discuss Indigenous palliative care
-
Gathered a Knowledge Bundle of Elders' knowledge, professional relationships, workshops, and literature (both academic and non-academic).
-
Interviewed Elders about their palliative care caretaking experiences.
-
Heard from organizations, in the form of a survey, who currently provide palliative care services within Ottawa
Where We Are Now
We are creating an Indigenous palliative care framework, presenting it to community, and using their feedback to guide and strengthen this work.
Initiatives
We will be creating an Indigenous palliative care framework, knowledge bundle, and resources.
Resources
Click to Expand
