Q&A with Indigenous Patient Navigator
Kiara Alich is an Indigenous Patient Navigator at the De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre and a member of the Cayuga Nation Bear Clan. Through a partnership with St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, she works with Indigenous patients to support their care.
Patients can access Kiara’s support through their care team at St. Joe’s, or by connecting with her directly at 905-379-4320 or kalich@dahac.ca.
Q: What is an Indigenous Patient Navigator?
A: The Indigenous Patient Navigator is a program that helps Indigenous individuals navigate the health care system, in and out of hospital. The program provides cultural health care supports for individuals who want a traditional healing journey. This program also bridges the gap between Indigenous peoples, health services and supports.
Q: How do you support Indigenous patients in your role?
A: I support Indigenous patients by being a referral access point. A general intake is performed with each patient/individual in which they tell me about their concerns and needs. I take this information and refer them to the Indigenous and non-Indigenous programs that are in the Hamilton community. I then check up and see how they are managing and if they need more supports. In hospital, I can also support individuals by asking questions to their health care team and addressing concerns within their treatment plan. If an Indigenous individual lives in Niagara or Brantford, I would refer to the patient navigators there upon discharge.
Pictured above, Kiara Alich, Indigenous Patient Navigator (centre) with Marie Jones, Traditional Healer (left) and Melissa Farrell, St. Joe’s President (right) during an educational session for staff about smudging at the hospital
Q: Why is this position vital for patient care?
A: Indigenous Patient Navigators allow Indigenous peoples to have access to their traditional supports. This role allows them to work with someone who understands their struggles without having to re-explain the traumas they went through. There is a great distrust in the health care system due to colonization and it is important that Indigenous voices are heard and supported in the ways they want to be supported.
Culturally appropriate services are important to Indigenous patients because for those who wish to practice traditional supports, it is their right to have access to these services. Everyone has a right to their culture and practices and Indigenous peoples are no exception. The other reason for its importance is the self-determination and autonomy that Indigenous peoples are entitled to.
Q: How can patients or families connect with you?
A: Patients and families can connect with me by asking their care team to make a referral or they can make the referral themselves. The best way to contact me is by phone (905-379-4320) or email (kalich@dahac.ca). There is not a form that needs to be filled, they simply contact me and I will book an intake.
Q: What type of feedback have you received from patients who use this service?
A: I have received much positive feedback from patients. Many appreciate that this service is available to them since they feel there is someone that truly understands them. They appreciate that they don’t have to re-explain their traumas as I understand the effects of colonization.
One story I’d like to share is about an individual who was unfortunately passing away. Due to the culture, there was a large family that wanted to be there for end of life. Policies in place could only accommodate 1-2 people at the bedside. I worked with the nurses, doctors, and social workers to explain the situation and ensure that this family could be accommodated. We held a case conference and the family was able to be accommodated. The positive feedback from not only the family but the health care team was amazing. The family was so happy that they were all able to be there for end of life. She mentioned that if I was not there, this would not have happened. They were overwhelmed by the diagnosis of their family member that they were so thankful to have someone who could look out for them and explain their needs and understand them.
Smudging at St. Joe’s
St. Joe’s staff were grateful to have Kiara and Marie Jones, Traditional Healer at the De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre and member of the Mohawk Turtle Clan of the Six Nations Territory, provide education on smudging. You can learn more about smudging at St. Joe’s here, or watch the video below.