Métis Survivors of Cancer

ABOUT THE PROJECT

there is a need for accessible personal accounts of Métis cancer SURVIVORS' experiences and the experiences of the family members who care for them.

OBJECTIVE

The project explored Métis cancer survivors' experience regarding the effects of the disease, including their treatment, care, and personal coping during and after treatment through digital stories.

GOAL

Our key goal is to have a Métis perspective on treatment, methodologies, and care from the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency and other associated organizations that assist those living with cancer.

Future

Findings will inform Métis Nation Saskatchewan policies related to accessing primary and post-cancer care to improve and bolster services seen as necessary by those who have survived or are living with cancer.

RESEARCH methods

Using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, we collaborated with Métis Nation SASKATCHEWAN's Ministry of Health and the Storycentre.

Our research used the following methods to gain insight into the ways in which Métis survivors of cancer experience interactions with the saskatchewan cancer agency and other associated organizations that assist those living with cancer.

Grasshopper on Laptop Keyboard during story editing process

digital storytelling

We ran a Digital storytelling workshop at Back to Batoche Days 2023 where participants learned to create short 3-5 minute videos.

Back to Batoche2023 Camp Conversational Circle

interviews/focus group

We also conducted pre-workshop interviews with each content creator and hosted an informal post-workshop kitchen table talk.

STORIES

These are the stories constructed for the Métis Cancer project.

My Faith My Medicine

I was feeling really fatigued and I knew there was a lump in my breast, but I was always raising grandchildren. I had two at the time and was just going to take another three-month old home from the hospital and then the doctor told me I had triple negative breast cancer. I put off the test because I knew I would have to give up my baby grandson to the child welfare system, and I really deeply mistrusted them.

Gotta Get Through It

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February 2019. I’m healthy now, but I fall into depression, and the only thing to get me out is to get up and go. The best place to be myself is in the bush. Eating from the bush is the best thing—moose, muskrat, rabbit, duck, walleye, jackfish, lake trout—these are the best foods.

We All Need To Know

I had to go for chemo every two weeks. Gas, hotels, meals, medication – it adds up. Then I heard that the Métis local could get me gas money to go to my appointments, and that Métis Nation can book a hotel room for me, and reimburse me for gas and meals. How come I didn’t know this before I started my treatment? I wish there was a hotline for Métis cancer survivors.

Never Again Plunge

I don’t like to swim. I don’t even like being rained on. So when my sister asked me to do the polar bear plunge together in my Métis community to raise funds for cancer, my first answer was no.

My Battle To Win

For years my kids encouraged me to stop smoking. I was angry at myself for not listening to them. But they still supported me when I got lung cancer. I am blessed with all my support from my family, my community, and Métis society. I know for sure I am going to win this battle.

Nistohtamwin - The Art of Understanding

At the cancer centre, I would see elderly Indigenous women crying, women who didn’t understand English, who didn’t understand why they were there, and no one was helping. I prayed and prayed, God give me a second chance, and I will do everything in my power to help my people, to help my community.

It's Just a Boob

When the doctor called to tell me that the biopsy showed I had breast cancer, I thought I’d just take out the lump. But my older sister said, why not take it all? It’s just a boob.

Team Members

INVESTIGATORs

Dr. Robert Henry

Dr. Henry is Métis from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and is a citizen of Métis Nation Saskatchewan. He holds a Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Justice and Well-Being and is an Associate Professor in the Department of Indigenous Studies at the University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Henry is also the lead of the nātawihowin and mamawiikikayaahk Research, Training and Mentorship Networks and co-leads the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR) National Coordinating Centre.

Dr. Chelsea Gabel

Dr. Gabel is Red River Métis from Rivers, Manitoba and is a citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation. She holds a Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Well-Being, Community-Engagement and Innovation and is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health, Aging and Society and the Indigenous Studies Department at McMaster University. Dr. Gabel is also the lead of the Indigenous Mentorship Network - Ontario and co-leads the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR) National Coordinating Centre.

KNOWLEDGE KEEPER

Terri Hansen-Gardiner

Terri is Métis from Pine House, Saskatchewan and is a citizen of the Métis Nation Saskatchewan. She is a well-known cancer survivor and advocate for Métis rights in the province of Saskatchewan. Terri is also the knowledge keeper in residence for the Saskatchewan Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research, and this project is part of her legacy contribution.

INDIGITAL Storytelling

Métis survivors of CANCEr