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Overview

The Champlain Indigenous Cancer Program was established to help improve the cancer care experience of Indigenous people.  Our Program goals are based on Cancer Care Ontario’s Aboriginal Cancer Strategy III, the vision of which is to improve the performance of the cancer system with and for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Ontario in a way which honours the Indigenous Path of Well-being.

Our Team

Our team includes a Regional Indigenous Clinical Lead, an Indigenous Nurse Navigator, and an Indigenous Program Coordinator.  These dedicated individuals work closely with our First Nations, Inuit and Métis patients and family members in the Champlain region to improve access to cancer care services in a respectful, culturally appropriate way.

Our Services

We support our Indigenous patients and their families by:

• Providing assistance navigating the health-care system
• Helping co-ordinate services
• Liaising with members of the health-care team to ensure continuity of care
• Assisting with access to language and translation services
• Providing support during clinic visits and other appointments
• Coordinating access to spiritual support including connecting with Elders
• Preparing patients for their first appointment within the cancer program

We work with our health care team to provide support and education to ensure the delivery of culturally sensitive and safe care

We work with our regional partners to address system issues with the goal of improving the patient experience with cancer care and access to services

Resources and Information

For additional patient information and resources for First Nations, Inuit and Métis patients and family members, please visit one of our Patient and Family Support and Resource Centres.

The Windocage Community Room

Windocage is an Algonquin word, meaning “to lend a hand”.  At the Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, we believe that everyone could use a helping hand during their cancer care experience.  We are proud to have the Windocage Community Room available to our Indigenous patients and family members.

This room is a place of comfort and calm, designed to serve our First Nations, Inuit, and Métis patients and families.  The room’s neutral colours and natural-looking materials are meant to bring us back to nature and remind us of our home and community.   The room looks out on to our fireplace lounge.  There is also an outdoor meditation garden nearby where you can smudge.

We encourage you to make use of the Windocage room to relax, reflect, and re-energize while you are here for your appointment.

Contact us

To connect with or request services of a member of our Indigenous Cancer Program team, please contact Mackenzie Daybutch, Indigenous Program Coordinator at mdaybutch@toh.ca or 613-737-7700 ext. 73607.

For more information on the Indigenous Cancer Program, please contact Gwen Barton, Manager at gwbarton@toh.ca or 613-737-7700 ext. 73633.

Last updated on: November 5th, 2023