Sherri Baker Thesis Final.Pdf
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Journey to wellness: Identifying culturally relevant supportive services for First Nations peoples in Northeastern Ontario during their cancer journey By: Sherri Baker RSW A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Indigenous Relations The Faculty of Graduate Studies Laurentian University Sudbury, Ontario, Canada © Sherri Baker, 2016 THESIS DEFENCE COMMITTEE/COMITÉ DE SOUTENANCE DE THÈSE Laurentian Université/Université Laurentienne Faculty of Graduate Studies/Faculté des études supérieures Title of Thesis Titre de la thèse Journey to wellness: Identifying culturally relevant supportive services for First Nations peoples in Northeastern Ontario during their cancer journey Name of Candidate Nom du candidat Baker, Sherri Degree Diplôme Master of Department/Program Date of Defence Département/Programme Indigenous Relations Date de la soutenance October 11, 2016 APPROVED/APPROUVÉ Thesis Examiners/Examinateurs de thèse: Dr. Dan Côté (Supervisor/Directeur(trice) de thèse) Dr. Leigh MacEwan (Committee member/Membre du comité) Dr. Marion Marr (Committee member/Membre du comité) Approved for the Faculty of Graduate Studies Approuvé pour la Faculté des études supérieures Dr. Shelley Watson Madame Shelley Watson Dr. Lynn Lavallée Acting Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies (External Examiner/Examinateur externe) Doyenne intérimaire, Faculté des études supérieures ACCESSIBILITY CLAUSE AND PERMISSION TO USE I, Sherri Baker, hereby grant to Laurentian University and/or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or for the duration of my copyright ownership. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also reserve the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. I further agree that permission for copying of this thesis in any manner, in whole or in part, for scholarly purposes may be granted by the professor or professors who supervised my thesis work or, in their absence, by the Head of the Department in which my thesis work was done. It is understood that any copying or publication or use of this thesis or parts thereof for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. It is also understood that this copy is being made available in this form by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner. ii Abstract This thesis is intended to identify culturally relevant supportive services for First Nations in Northeastern Ontario, as perceived by service providers, in order to improve access to cancer care services and the follow-through of treatment at the time of diagnosis and during treatment. The author interviewed thirteen front line health care providers who provide direct services to First Nations communities. The participants within the research study discussed the importance of relationships First Nations peoples have with family members and their community as well as to the land and water. The need for supportive services that incorporate family and community, as well as land and water based healing practices are integral in ensuring the psychosocial needs of First Nations cancer patients are being addressed in a culturally relevant and safe fashion and that these services are significant for the patient, family, and community. The results of this research will be useful in broadening the understanding of the needs of service providers in First Nations communities who are working with First Nations patients during their cancer journey. Keywords: psychosocial, cancer, First Nations, Northeastern Ontario, coping. iii Acknowledgments There are several people that I would like to acknowledge and thank for all of their support throughout the past couple of years. Without these people, I would not have been able to accomplish my goals. Without the love and support of my husband Stephen, I would not have made it this far. I would also like to thank my three children Halley, Hudson and Lexi who gave the distractions I needed when I was locked up in my office on the weekend. A special thank you to my mother Sheila Cote-Meek who gave me the encouragement I needed to pursue a masters and the support throughout all my course work and writing. I would like to thank my father Mario Hardy who was there when I needed him. I would like to give a big thank you to my thesis committee Dr. Daniel Cote, Dr. Marion Maar & Dr. Leigh MacEwan for all of your guidance, insight and encouragement throughout this process. iv Table of Contents Thesis Defence Committee ............................................................................................................. ii Abstract .......................................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgments .......................................................................................................................... iv Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ v Appendices ..................................................................................................................................... ix Situating Self ................................................................................................................................... 1 Journey to the Centre .................................................................................................................. 1 Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................................... 6 A Note about Terminology ......................................................................................................... 8 Chapter 2: Literature Review .......................................................................................................... 9 Colonization and Health .............................................................................................................. 9 Relationship Between Culture and Health ................................................................................ 11 Land Based Tradition and Health .............................................................................................. 13 Barriers to Accessing Health Care ............................................................................................ 15 Supportive Services for First Nations ....................................................................................... 20 Northeastern Ontario Context ................................................................................................... 25 Summary ................................................................................................................................... 27 Chapter 3: Theoretical Framework ............................................................................................... 28 Decolonizing Indigenous Research Approach .......................................................................... 28 Chapter 4: Design and Methods .................................................................................................... 32 Qualitative Methods .................................................................................................................. 32 v How the Medicine Wheel Informs My Methods ...................................................................... 32 Recruitment of Participants ....................................................................................................... 36 Data Collection .......................................................................................................................... 37 Consent ...................................................................................................................................... 38 Ethics ......................................................................................................................................... 39 Data Analysis ............................................................................................................................ 39 Coding ....................................................................................................................................... 41 Participants ................................................................................................................................ 42 Reflexivity ................................................................................................................................. 44 Chapter 5: Findings ....................................................................................................................... 46 East - Anishinaabe Ways of Living .......................................................................................... 48 South - Relationships ................................................................................................................ 52 West- Environment ................................................................................................................... 62 North -Supportive Services ......................................................................................................