Engaging with Indigenous Communities in a Good Way |
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In this episode, Andrea chats with Nicole Blackman from Durham Region Health Department about engaging with Indigenous communities. Nicole has three pieces of advice:
Before engaging Indigenous communities and organizations, Nicole recommends taking cultural awareness training to learn about Indigenous history and its impacts on health, social wellbeing and place in society today. The Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres offers Indigenous Cultural Competency Training. The Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre also provides an Ontario Indigenous Cultural Safety Program. You can also check out PHESC’s webinar series on Indigenous Health Equity. |
About Nicole:
Nicole is a member of Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation but was born and raised in Durham Region. She currently sits on the board of directors for Bawaajigewin Aboriginal Community Circle and is Chair of th
e CELHIN Indigenous Advisory Circle. Academically, Nicole has been studying Indigenous health since 2006, recently completing her Doctor of Nursing Practice with her capstone project focusing on Indigenous programming from a public health perspective. Professionally, Nicole has had the privilege of serving as Director of Professional Practice for Weeneebayko Area Health Authority, working together with First Nation communities in the James and Hudson Bay region to address various health needs. Currently, Nicole is a manager with the Durham Region Health Department, working in the Population Health Division while also providing Indigenous cultural training. Nicole has strived to use her education, experiences and knowledge to work towards building awareness of the history of the Indigenous population and how that history impacts the population’s health today. She is a sessional instructor in the UOIT Health Sciences program and guest lectures at Trent University and Humber College, teaching future health care providers about Indigenous Peoples and health in Canada.
