The goal of this project is to gather perspectives and insights from Indigenous Peoples and HealthCare Providers living in the Yukon on Indigenous methods of healing in healthcare settings. This includes plant medicine, ceremonial healing, culturally appropriate nutrition, and cultural inclusivity—approaches that honour Indigenous ways of knowing and being.
We are currently in the process of seeking ethics approval to begin the research project in Whitehorse. Our aim is to start in the latter part of the summer.
This project is in partnership with the Yukon First Nations Health Program at Whitehorse General Hospital, Kwanlin Dün First Nation Health Centre – Natsékhi Kų̀.
Recently, we presented to the First Nation Health Commission to begin building relationships with other Yukon First Nations, so we may represent voices in Yukon communities̨. This will help build policies and practices that foster a culturally safe, competent and overall, a more comfortable environment for Indigenous Peoples in a healthcare setting.
We will begin in Whitehorse, interviewing Indigenous people who are accessing care at Whitehorse General Hospital or Kwanlin Dün First Nation’s Health Centre. We will not be collecting information on the Nation that people are part of, instead focusing on the community they reside in. We hope to expand to other communities in the Yukon, so that the data collected can inform and support those communities also.
Our goal is to conduct this research in a respectful and thoughtful way, guided by the community’s comfort, values, and protocols. We recognize that participation looks different for everyone, so individuals are welcome to choose the approach that feels right for them. This can include assistance or being done independently; the main goal is to ensure everyone feels comfortable and safe.
The foundation of this work is based on community-informed change that strengthens access to culturally safe and competent healthcare for Indigenous Peoples in the Yukon. The health disparities Indigenous communities face are not just statistics—they are lived experiences. This project is about uplifting those voices and fostering policies and practices that reflect them.
Author: Piper Fordham
