Indigenous Peoples’ Health & Aging Resources
A bedside resource manual designed to support the provision of effective and culturally appropriate home care services that will assist individuals to remain in community to receive care. Foundational to the IPHA educational suite of resources, this care manual provides teachings, strategies, practical guidance, and culturally relevant supplemental resources on the following topics:
- The palliative approach to care
- Making your wishes known
- Developing a care plan
- Supporting the emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical wellness of the person and caregiver(s)
- Last days and hours of life in an expected death
An education initiative to support family and community caregivers around topics of chronic disease management, and to help health and social care providers deliver community-based education.
INCLUDING 3 COMPONENTS:
- Caregiver Pathway Guide – A practical guide that helps family and community caregivers understand what to expect, what questions to ask, and how to seek support throughout serious illness.
- Resource Website – A collection of slide decks, videos, fact sheets, pamphlets, and activities aligned with the sections of the Caregiver Pathway Guide.
- Building the Circle of Care Training – A workshop that supports health and social care providers in strengthening how they share education and support with community caregivers.
Together, these resources help caregivers and providers feel more informed, prepared, and supported throughout the caregiving journey.
The following workshops are available for delivery across Canada. Organizations, communities, and teams interested in hosting a workshop are invited to contact us at cerah@lakeheadu.ca. Please visit our Events Calendar for any upcoming public offerings.
BEGINNING THE JOURNEY (PART 1)
This workshop is the first of a two-part series that provides an introduction to the palliative approach to care.
- Delivered either in-person over 2 or 3 days (14 hours total) or virtually in real-time via Zoom in four, 3-hour weekly sessions (12 hours total).
- Includes: 8 module presentations, a narrative case study, Elders’ and Knowledge Carriers’ teachings and ceremonies, videos, small and large group discussions and activities, and supplemental resources.
Formerly known as Palliative Care for Frontline Workers in Indigenous Communities
CONTINUING THE JOURNEY (PART 2)
This workshop is the second of a two-part series that provides enhanced education on the palliative approach to care. It is considered intermediate-level and a continuation of the concepts discussed in Beginning the Journey, which is a pre-requisite.
- Delivered virtually in real-time via Zoom in two, 3-hour sessions (6 hours total).
- Includes: 4 module presentations, a narrative case study, Elders’ teachings and ceremonies, videos, breakout group discussions, activities, and supplemental resources.
Formerly known as Continuing the Journey: Palliative Care for Frontline Workers in Indigenous Communities
This workshop offers hands-on training for health and social care providers supporting Indigenous community caregivers’ educational needs.
This one-day, in-person workshop introduces key concepts, tools, and resources from the Walking Alongside Indigenous Peoples who are Seriously Ill initiative. Participants will gain practical skills to better support and educate community and family caregivers.
Learning Topics:
- Understanding the Palliative Approach to Care from a Caregiver Perspective – Exploration of the palliative approach to care as whole-person, values-based support across the illness journey. It highlights the crucial role of family and community caregivers and the importance of recognizing and supporting their needs.
- Reflecting on Practice and Cultural Humility in Caregiving Support – Guided self-reflection and dialogue that helps participants examine their own experiences, beliefs, and readiness to support individuals, families, and communities living with serious illness, with a focus on cultural safety, humility, and trauma-informed practice.
- Identifying Caregiver Needs Through Case-Based Learning – Interactive, small-group activities that encourage participants to recognize common caregiving challenges and identify opportunities where education, communication, and community supports can strengthen caregiving capacity.
- Using the Walking Alongside Resource Website to Support Caregivers – An introduction to the Walking Alongside educational resources, including an overview of the Caregiver Pathway guide and practical ways to use these materials, to support caregivers, train staff and volunteers, and facilitate community education.
Designed as a capacity development workshop to support Indigenous communities in strengthening and developing community-led approaches to palliative care.
Re-Claiming Our Ways of Caring is delivered in-person over 2 days (14 hours total). It works in partnership with local Elders, Knowledge Carriers, and community organizations to identify priorities, build on existing strengths, and support the development of locally relevant approaches to care.
The workshop provides structured opportunities for dialogue, planning, and practical next steps. Content and delivery are tailored in collaboration with the community to ensure cultural and contextual relevance.
In addition to our core education, the Indigenous Peoples’ Health & Aging team also offers Pallium Canada’s LEAP™ Core: Delivered through CERAH’s Enhanced Facilitation Approach
Our process integrates Pallium’s accredited palliative care education with Indigenous Knowledges, community context, and the guidance of Elders and Knowledge Carriers to promote culturally-safer and relevant learning experiences.
More Resources
Improving End of Life Care in First Nations Communities (EOLFN) Project Website
Includes a free workbook available for download, with resources for creating a local palliative care program in First Nations communities. Can also be co-branded.