Walk a Mile in My Moccasins – Advancing the First Nations and Métis Cancer Journey in the Yukon

Walk a Mile in My Moccasins – Advancing the First Nations and Métis Cancer Journey in the Yukon aimed to advance education and training for First Nations patients, as well as health care providers. In addition, the initiative focused on the development of a patient identification strategy.

Location: Yukon

Timeline: 2014-2017

Funded partner: Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN)

Partners:

  • Yukon College
  • Yukon Government
  • Yukon Hospital Corporation
  • Saint Elizabeth First Nations, Inuit and Métis Program
  • Teslin Tlingit Council
  • Selkirk First Nation
  • Vuntut Gwitchin
  • Tr’ondek Hwech’in
  • Na-cho Nyak Dun
  • Little Salmon First Nation
  • Kluane First Nation
  • Kwanlin Dun
  • Champagne and Aishihik
  • White River First Nation
  • Liard First Nation
  • Ross River Dena Council
  • Carcross Tagish First Nation
  • Ta’an Kwach’an Council

Focus:

  • A resource needs workshop was held in July 2014 with Saint Elizabeth First Nations, Inuit and Métis Program to understand the priorities and concerns of First Nations cancer survivors and patients.
  • CYFN partnered with Yukon College to create an online course called, Yukon First Nations 101, to provide knowledge of the history of Yukon First Nations agreements, self-government, languages, and basic protocols for working with Yukon First Nations.
  • CYFN created a cancer workbook, Following My Path with Cancer, to provide information about navigating the cancer system in the Yukon.
  • CYFN worked with the Yukon Government to explore access to Yukon First Nation cancer data by linking the Vital Statistics Registry to the BC Cancer Registry.
  • Meetings were also held with First Nation communities to discuss screening practices in their communities and cancer control priorities.

Outcomes:

  • Local cancer control priorities were identified and discussed at a CYFN cancer conference with representatives from all 14 Yukon First Nations.
  • Following My Path with Cancer is available to First Nations patients across Yukon.