Aboriginal paintings introduced at Thunder Bay hospital

Aboriginal paintings and an Aboriginal Advisory Committee were recently introduced at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, but ongoing efforts are needed to improve Aboriginal health care.
“Visually, I think it’s something very nice to see for the northern patients coming down to Thunder Bay, just to see that their culture is being recognized and being shown to them that they are welcome to the hospital — it’s a good first step,” said Jason Beardy, Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s health policy and planning director and a member of the Aboriginal Advisory Committee. “I’d like to see greater incorporation of First Nations input, just in terms of being able to look further into the existing policies and establishing some committees that will look into some of these issues in greater detail and to be able to make some contributions to the policies.”
Beardy was one of 25 members of the Aboriginal Advisory Committee who were introduced by TBRHSC on April 22. The others are: Abe Kakepetum, Sam Achneepineskum, Brenda Mason, Daryl Ottertail, Ernie May, Francine Pellerin, Fred Sky, Louise Thomas, Mona Hardy, Robert Fenton, Sandra Cornell, Shelly Whitney, Stanley Sainnawap, Susan Fitzpatrick, Teresa Trudeau, Tina Armstrong, Kanita Johnson, Susan Anderson, Carmen Blais, Merv Wilson, Tracie Smith, Lori Marshall, Mark Henderson and Andrée Robichaud.
“When our current strategic plan was being developed, we recognized that Aboriginal health needed to be a priority, and so it was identified as of our four strategic directions,” said Robichaud, president and CEO of TBRHSC.
“The committee helps us to engage with the Aboriginal community on initiatives such as developing culturally appropriate health plans, and creating a more welcoming environment for Aboriginal patients and their families.”
In addition to the introduction of the committee and the Aboriginal paintings, Blais, Aboriginal engagement lead and patient advocate, Johnson, Aboriginal liaison, renal services, and Anderson, Aboriginal liaison and translator, Centre for Complex Diabetes Care were also introduced as TBRHSC staff.
Anderson said many First Nations people run into “a lot of difficulties” when arriving for appointments at TBRHSC.
“A lot of them don’t understand the medical terminology, and that is what I am there for,” said Anderson, originally from Kasabonika. “Also, I work as an advocate/liaison and a navigator for First Nations people.”
Anderson often accompanies First Nations patients to their first appointment at TBRHSC, noting that many have a hard time navigating through the system.
“After that pre-op, you go with them to their surgery,” Anderson said. “And once again, when it comes time for their (release), you have to think about their medications, their accommodations and their travel. That’s where you help them out.”