The Supporting Access to Care project explores how the Dawson City Community Hospital can better support the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples, particularly members of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in community. The research focuses on incorporating Indigenous healing practices into hospital services — such as plant medicines, ceremonial care, and culturally grounded nutrition — to improve patient experience and outcomes. The project’s broader goal is to foster a safe, welcoming, and culturally inclusive space within DCCH. Through collaboration with local Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and health system partners, it aims to identify practical, community-driven ways to integrate Indigenous and Western knowledge systems in patient care. While rooted in Dawson City, the project offers insights that are relevant across the Yukon and beyond, serving as a model for how reconciliation and respectful collaboration can shape health systems that are more responsive and holistic.

Collaborating Organizations

• YSPOR
• Gu Nähtsey Medicine Working Group
• Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Government
• Dawson City Community Hospital (DCCH)
• Yukon First Nations Health Program (YFNHP)
• Yukon Hospital Corporation (YHC)
• Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

The Project

Before this research began, several groups in Dawson City were already working to improve health services for Indigenous residents. DCCH staff had identified a need to make the hospital more welcoming and inclusive. At the same time, Elders and Knowledge Keepers had formed Gu Nähtsey, a local working group focused on land-based healing and Indigenous wellness, named for the Hän phrase meaning “the plants we all pick.” These conversations naturally evolved into a shared commitment to explore Indigenous health priorities more broadly. YSPOR joined as a collaborator to support meaningful, community-led inquiry into what culturally safe care could look like at DCCH. Teslin Tlingit First Nation member and YSPOR Research Assistant Piper Fordham played a lead role in this work. After participating in Gu Nähtsey workshops and gatherings during her time as a Junior Researcher with YSPOR, she began bridging dialogue between the hospital, YSPOR, and Gu Nähtsey. With guidance from Gu Nähtsey and mentorship from Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in citizen Jamie Thomas, YSPOR’s First Nations Community Research Coordinator, Piper led the development of a community-informed research process.

The project’s primary data collection was an anonymous questionnaire co-designed with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community leaders. The questionnaire explored the following themes:

• Interest in and access to Indigenous plant medicines at DCCH
• Preferences around traditional and locally sourced meals
• Access to ceremonial and spiritual supports
• Hospital environment and atmosphere

In-person opportunities to take the questionnaire were hosted as informal gatherings where Indigenous community members could share lunch and tea while participating. This approach reduced barriers and allowed people to engage on their own terms.

Key Findings

The questionnaire received strong community response. Highlights include:

• 90% said that having Indigenous healing services in the hospital would help their healing journey, and 86% said it would make them feel more comfortable during their stay.
• 95% of participants expressed interest in accessing Indigenous plant medicines such as teas, salves, and tinctures. With a majority of participants noting they would prefer direct consultation with a Knowledge Keeper.
• 62.5% believe it would be a good idea to have information cards along with medicinal plants.
• 75% wanted access to an Indigenous-dedicated cultural space for prayer, ceremony, and quiet reflection.
• Nearly 90% of respondents supported integrating Indigenous meals into hospital nutrition, favoring local and traditional foods such as wild game, fish, and berries.
• 81% of respondents stated they would be inclined to access the DCCH if the hospital offered Indigenous Healing methods

These conversations led to a set of recommendations informed by the community’s insights and feedback to shape a healthcare environment prioritizing cultural safety, humility, and competency and were provided directly to DCCH and the YFNHP. 

Impact and Dissemination

In addition to sharing recommendations directly with DCCH and the YFNHP, the Supporting Access to Care project has been presented at several regional and national knowledge-sharing events. Presentations and discussions took place at:

• The Turtle Island Indigenous Science Conference (Regina, Saskatchewan)
• The 2024 YSPOR Health Summit (Dawson City, Yukon)
• An Indigenous Graduate Student Gathering (British Columbia)
• The Hotıì ts’eeda Gathering (Yellowknife, Northwest Territories)
• The CYFN Health and Wellness Summit (Whitehorse, Yukon)

Resources

Two key resources are available from this project:

• Supporting Access to Care (DCCH): Final Report – A summary of research findings, community-identified priorities, and practical recommendations for implementing culturally inclusive care at DCCH.
• News release: Final Reflection – A personal narrative from the project lead reflecting on the research journey, learnings, and the significance of community collaboration.

These resources provide valuable insight into how culturally grounded research can inform health service delivery, support reconciliation, and foster more respectful relationships between Indigenous Peoples and the healthcare system.  

Next Steps  

A set of recommendations has been developed based on the research findings. With support from DCCH, Gu Nähtsey, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, and YSPOR, an implementation plan is now underway. This structured approach will support the integration of Indigenous healing practices and cultural safety improvements into hospital operations at DCCH. We look forward to sharing more as progress continues.