Grand Council Treaty #3 and Kenora Chiefs Advisory Announce New Partnership with North West Regional Cancer Program to Improve Cancer Care in Treaty #3
Grand Council Treaty #3, Kenora Chiefs Advisory, and the North West Regional Cancer Program are pleased to announce a new partnership that aims to increase cancer screening rates in Treaty #3, while also addressing health system challenges across the cancer care continuum.
A new Regional Indigenous Cancer Lead position has been created to service the Treaty #3 Territory; providing strategic planning and program design in cancer care initiatives, advocating on behalf of communities in accessing equitable care and helping build cultural safety and awareness with non-Indigenous healthcare providers. This role will be shared between two individuals, Carol Wilson and Yolanda Fobister. With guidance from Treaty #3 Health Council and Leadership, the Treaty #3 Regional Indigenous Cancer Leads will be essential to the successful engagement and collaboration required across varying primary care and health care settings.
In general, cancer screening rates are lower in First Nation communities and cancers are often diagnosed at later stages, leading to lower cancer survival. This new role will offer Treaty #3 communities enhanced cancer screening education and opportunities to actively participate in cancer screening. These efforts, in collaboration and partnership with Treaty #3 communities, will aim to improve cancer screening rates and ultimately, cancer survival.
This partnership builds on the existing commitment by Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) to ensure equitable access to cancer screening services and cancer care for First Nation, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous people in Ontario.
Through the development of new relationships and ongoing work to sustain existing partnerships with communities, organizations and healthcare institutions, community members will have an ongoing voice in the delivery of cancer screening and cancer care services in Treaty #3.
We welcome the new Treaty #3 Regional Indigenous Cancer Leads, Carol Wilson and Yolanda Fobister!
Carol Wilson, NP
-30-
For more information, please contact: Shelley Skye, Provincial Health Policy Analyst, Grand Council Treaty#3 – (807) 548-4214 or by email shelley.skye@treaty3.ca